College Football TV Ratings: Top 10 most-watched teams of 2024 regular season revealed

In a regular season filled with upsets and surprise teams, plenty of fans tuned in to watch. With bowl games and the College Football Playoff on the horizon, the Top 10 most-watched teams of the 2024 campaign were revealed, according to TV ratings data.

This season marked the first of the SEC’s media rights deal with Disney, making ESPN and ABC the league’s exclusive partners. The SEC on ABC became one of the most-watched packages of the season, especially in the primetime slot. As a result, eight of the 10 most-watched teams came from the conference.

The top two teams played in the most-watched games of the year, as well. Georgia’s road victory over Texas topped the regular-season metrics while Ohio State’s stunning season-ending loss to Michigan in their rivalry game came in at No. 2.

Some of the other intriguing teams came in on the list. That includes Alabama, which was in Year 1 under Kalen DeBoer after Nick Saban’s retirement, and Florida amid its late-season surge under head coach Billy Napier.

The CFP quickly approaching, which means the year is coming to a close. Here are the Top 10 most-watched teams of the 2024 college football season, according to TV ratings data compiled by Joe Pompliano.

1. Georgia – 8.6 million

For the third time in three years, Georgia won the SEC Championship. The Bulldogs defeated Texas in the title game, and they also came in as the most-watched team of the season.

UGA and UT faced off twice, including a matchup at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in front of an average audience of 13.19 million on ABC. The SEC Championship also drew impressive numbers as 16.6 million people tuned in to watch the Bulldogs get the title-clinching victory on Saturday.

2. Ohio State – 6.8 million

Ohio State’s most-watched game of the year was its last, as has been the case for some time. The Buckeyes’ rivalry game against Michigan drew 12.3 million viewers on FOX, who watched on as the Wolverines pulled off a big-time upset to close the regular season.

Ohio State’s Week 7 game against Oregon was another most-watched game of the year with 9.6 million people tuning into NBC. Despite missing out on the Big Ten Championship, the Buckeyes are still heading to the College Football Playoff, hosting Tennessee at The Horseshoe in the first round.

3. Alabama – 6.6 million

The first year of the Kalen DeBoer era was sure to be an interesting one, and Alabama came in as the third-most watched team of the season. The Crimson Tide just missed out on the College Football Playoff, but some of the marquee showdowns were the biggest of the year.

Alabama’s most-watched game came in Week 8 – the Third Saturday in October – when the Crimson Tide fell to Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. But the win over LSU was the most-watched victory of DeBoer’s shore time in Tuscaloosa.

4. Texas – 6.4 million

After leaving the Big 12, Texas came in as an immediate contender in the SEC. The Longhorns lived up to the billing, with two losses to Georgia as the lone blemishes on their resume, and they drew plenty of attention.

The return of the Lone Star Showdown generated the most buzz and lived up to the billing. More than 9.4 million people tuned to ABC for the primetime matchup, which also saw the winner punch its ticket to the SEC Championship.

5. Tennessee – 5.4 million

As Nico Iamaleava became the starting quarterback – and Dylan Sampson took over the running game – Tennessee generated plenty of buzz in 2024. The Vols’ games averaged 5.4 million viewers, coming in at No. 5 during the regular season.

UT’s win over Alabama and loss to Georgia both brought in more than 10 million viewers. The Volunteers are also heading to the College Football Playoff, taking on Ohio State in Columbus on Dec. 21 in what’s shaping up to be a highly anticipated matchup.

6. Michigan – 5.2 million

The only other Big Ten team in the Top 10 most-watched games of the college football season, Michigan played in two high-profile games. The biggest, of course, was The Game against Ohio State, but the other came early in the year.

When Texas came to Ann Arbor, there was plenty of hype as the Longhorns took on the defending national champions. It turned into a big ratings win for FOX as 9.2 million tuned in for the blowout victory over Michigan.

7. Texas A&M – 4.9 million

Year 1 of the Mike Elko era at Texas A&M started with one of the most notable matchups of the 2024 season. Notre Dame came to Kyle Field, and that set the table for a huge debut season for the SEC on ABC.

Texas A&M’s rivalry showdown against Texas was the Aggies’ most-watched game of the year, though. It set an all-time record for the series, which returned after a 13-year hiatus and drew 9.5 million viewers.

8. LSU – 4.8 million

Two of LSU’s biggest games appeared on the most-watched games of the 2024 season. The Tigers’ biggest audience came in Week 0, though, when they defeated USC to start the year.

The other notable matchup came against Alabama as 7.9 million people tuned in as the Crimson Tide got the victory. LSU finished the year 8-4 after an up-and-down go on both sides of the ball as injuries played a role.

9. Kentucky – 4.5 million

A disappointing year in Lexington made for a big TV ratings year. Kentucky fans tuned to their TVs to watch the Wildcats, whose games averaged 4.5 million viewers.

UK struggled to a 4-8 record this year, and Mark Stoops made a late-season quarterback change, as well. Still, the Wildcats were one of the most-watched teams in college football – fueled by 4.47 million tuning in for the matchup against Texas.

10. Florida – 4.3 million

After Billy Napier entered the year on the hot seat, there were plenty of questions around Florida. But the Gators became one of the most compelling teams in college football, and they then drew big TV ratings as a result.

UF’s huge upset win over Ole Miss led the way as nearly 4 million people tuned in. That victory helped fuel the Gators to a 7-5 record and their second bowl game under Napier.

The SEC got off to a hot start to its new media deal during the 2024 college football season, and the TV ratings success proved it. Now, it’s on to the postseason, where ESPN and TNT will hope for more viewership success.