The Gator Bowl was the lone bright spot among the non-BCS bowls on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC January 2.
ESPN2 earned a 2.2 overnight rating for the Florida/Ohio State Gator Bowl on Monday, up 10% from last year (MSSU/MICH: 2.0), but down 49% from 2009 (FSU/WVU: 4.3, CBS).
Though up from last year, the 2.2 is the second-lowest for the game since at least 2000.
The other 1 PM ET bowl games did not fare as well. On ESPN, the #9 South Carolina/#20 Nebraska Capital One Bowl earned a 2.5 overnight, down 45% from last year (ALA/MSU: 4.0), and down 68% from 2009 (PSU/LSU: 6.8, ABC).
This marks the lowest overnight for the bowl since at least 2000. As recently as four years ago, the game drew a 9.9 overnight.
ABC earned the best numbers of the non-BCS slate, earning a 5.0 overnight for the triple-overtime #17 Michigan State/#16 Georgia Outback Bowl — down 34% from last year (FLA/PSU: 7.6), but up 35% from 2009 (NWU/AUB: 3.7, ESPN).
Monday’s overnights from jacksonville.com)
