First, the results of last week’s predictions:
- SEC on CBS, Georgia/Florida. Prediction: 4.2. Final rating: 3.8. Ratings for this SEC showdown were down 5% compared to last year’s LSU/Alabama clash, which aired in a later timeslot. The 3.8 rating made Georgia/Florida the highest rated college football game in its timeslot, beating regional action on ABC (3.7) and Pittsburgh/Notre Dame on NBC (2.4).
- Saturday Night Football on ABC, Texas/Texas Tech. Prediction: 4.8. Final rating: 7.5. The 7.5 for last week’s thriller between Texas and Texas Tech was up 83% from the 4.1 for comparable regional action in ’07, and marks the highest rating for a college football game this year.
- NFL on FOX, Cowboys/Giants. Prediction: 15.3. Final rating: 14.3. The 14.3 for the Giants’ victory over the Cowboys last Sunday could not compare to the 20.1 for last year’s comparable Colts/Patriots game, but was easily the highest rated program of the weekend.
- Sunday Night Football, Patriots/Colts. Prediction: 11.1. Final rating: 10.6. The 10.6 for Patriots/Colts last Sunday night marks a 4% increase from a 10.2 for last year’s Cowboys/Eagles tilt.
- NASCAR on ABC, Dickies 500. Prediction: 3.4. Final rating: 3.7. Ratings for the Dickies 500 were flat from last year.
This week’s predictions:
- SEC on CBS, Alabama/LSU, 3:30 PM Saturday — Alabama being the top ranked team in the country is enough of a draw. But Nick Saban’s return to his old stomping grounds in Baton Rouge pushes this game into marquee territory. Last year, Alabama/LSU drew a 4.0 on CBS. Prediction: 5.2.
- Saturday Night Football on ABC, Okla. St./Texas Tech or Cal/USC, 8 PM Saturday — Is Texas Tech enough of a draw on its own to give this Top 10 battle big ratings? Last year, comparable regional coverage drew a 3.9 rating. Prediction: 4.5.
- NFL on CBS, Colts/Steelers, 4:15 PM Sunday — While the Colts are hovering at .500, this game should still draw a solid audience. Prediction: 12.6.
- Sunday Night Football on NBC, Giants/Eagles, 8 PM Sunday — Look for this battle between the Giants and Eagles to draw higher ratings than their Sunday night battle last year, which drew a 9.4. Prediction: 10.8.
- NASCAR on ABC, Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, 3:30 PM Sunday — Ratings for NASCAR on ABC are virtually even with last year’s numbers. Look for that trend to continue this Sunday; last year’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 drew a 3.8 rating. Prediction: 3.8.
