Alabama vs. Ole Miss game creates ratings boom for CBS

Alabama’s 42-21 win over Ole Miss did not delivery on the promised shootout, but still drew big ratings for CBS. According to the broadcasting giant, the game ranked No. 1 among all college football games on Saturday and was the most-watched Week Five meeting in six years.

It came as no surprise that the Birmingham market topped the charts with a 43.5/65 rating. This number means 43.5 percent of all television enabled homes watched the game, while 65 percent of the active televisions tuned into CBS at the time of the game.

Alabama is set to return to CBS next week for the annual 8 p.m. ET primetime game, facing Texas A&M after Auburn and Georgia face off at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Lane Kiffin’s popcorn comments

Many around the country anticipated a shootout in Tuscaloosa, Alabama as Lane Kiffin brought his high-powered Ole Miss offense to town against No. 1 Alabama. The former Nick Saban assistant even warned the audience it should break out a bucket of popcorn for the fireworks show on its way.

The ratings were not effected by Alabama’s first half shut out against Ole Miss, despite going for it five times on fourth down.

“Well we gotta do a better job,” Lane Kiffin told CBS Sports sideline reporter Jamie Erdahl at halftime against Alabama. “We gotta convert fourth downs and you know when you play the number one team in the country you can’t keep punting. And, you see how quick they score touchdowns. So you live by analytics, you die by analytics.”

While Alabama fans sang along to Dixieland Delight in the fourth quarter, Big Al was seen dancing in the Alabama end zone — with a large popcorn box prop around the waist of the costume.

Following the troll and subsequent loss, Kiffin is taking things in stride. The Ole Miss head coach took to Twitter to wish the Crimson Tide good luck.

“Now that’s funny! Good,” tweeted Kiffin. “Alabama — good luck, stay healthy, and see you next year.”

Kiffin appreciates a good troll, even when he’s the butt of the joke. While the Ole Miss head coach dishes it out, at least he can take it when the joke’s on him.

While many believed Kiffin’s squad could give Alabama fits, it wasn’t to be on Saturday. The Crimson Tide dominated the Rebels, racing out to a 28-0 halftime lead before sending Kiffin home with a 42-21 loss.