Two powerhouse college football programs helped give ABC the highest overnight rating for a college football game in two years.
USC’s demolition of Ohio State drew an 8.4 overnight rating on Saturday night, up 68% from a 5.0 for the comparable USC/Nebraska game last year. The 8.4 overnight is the best for a regular season college football game since 2006, when Notre Dame/USC drew a 9.6/17.
ABC’s early game on Saturday drew far less impressive numbers. Regional action drew a 2.4 overnight, down 11% from a 2.7 for the Notre Dame/Michigan game in the comparable timeslot last year.
Part of that drop in ratings can be attributed to this year’s Michigan/Notre Dame game, which drew a 4.0 overnight rating on NBC, up 48% from last year’s game between the rivals, and up 74% from a 2.3 for NBC’s second Notre Dame telecast in ’07.
