College Football TV Ratings: Top 10 most-watched games of Week 4
One of the most-anticipated games of the college football season is less than a week away.
Georgia at Alabama will deliver a major TV viewership win for ABC. It’s the first match up between the top SEC schools without Nick Saban. The Bulldogs look ready for another run at a national title, and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is settling into Kalen Deboer’s new offense.
Before Saturday night, On3 is looking at the most-watched games from Week 4. On3 compiled data from network press releases, Programming Insider and Sports Business Journal to piece together the top 10 most-watched games of Week 4 of the college football season. Data from SEC Network, ACC Network and Longhorn Network are not included because the networks do not pay for Nielsen to measure viewership. All Nielsen figures include streaming viewership and includes out-of-home viewing.
Here is the full breakdown of Week 4’s college football TV ratings:
1. USC at Michigan
Channel: CBS
Date/Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 21
Viewers: 6.32 million
The most-watched game of Week 4, USC at Michigan was also the most-watched game at 3:30 p.m. ET Week 4 game for CBS in a decade. It’s also up 37% compared to last year’s Week 4 game in the slot, which was No. 15 Ole Miss at No. 13 Alabama. The game peaked with 10 million viewers. Paramount+ also delivered its most-streamed September college football game to date.
2. Tennessee at Oklahoma
Channel: ABC
Date/Time: 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 21
Viewers: 6.27 million
Josh Heupel’s Oklahoma homecoming was the top prime time game of the week, peaking at 7.5 million viewers. Tennessee won 25-15 to improve to 4-0 and are ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25 poll. The Volunteers proved they can find multiple ways to win, forcing three turnovers and allowing just 222 total yards including only 36 yards on the ground.
3. Illinois at Nebraska
Channel: FOX
Date/Time: 8 p.m. ET Friday, Sept. 20
Viewers: 4.21 million
The second iteration of FOX college football Friday resulted in the network’s top Friday night in nearly a year, finishing with 4.21 million viewers. Illinois‘ overtime win is up 63% compared to last week’s debut of Friday night college football on FOX. The Fighting Illini are now 4-0 and ranked No. 19 in the nation ahead of Saturday’s top-20 match up at Penn State.
4. Marshall at Ohio State
Channel: FOX
Date/Time: Noon ET Saturday, Sept. 21
Viewers: 3.96 million
Ohio State’s 49-14 win over Marshall recorded 3.96 million viewers on FOX, up 83% over 2023’s Week 4 Big Noon Saturday match up. The Buckeyes shut out Marshall in the second half as running back Quinshon Judkins finished with 14 carries for 173 yards and two touchdowns on the day.
5. Baylor at Colorado
Channel: FOX
Date/Time: 8 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 21
Viewers: 3.63 million
Colorado’s overtime 38-31 win over Baylor finished with 3.63 million viewers on FOX. Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester caught a 43-yard Hail Mary from Shedeur Sanders in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to send the Buffaloes to overtime against Baylor. Wester had to get low to the ground in the end zone and catch Sanders’ pass before it hit the ground. The Buffaloes are 3-1 entering Saturday’s game at UCF.
6. UCLA at LSU
Channel: ABC
Date/Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 21
Viewers: 2.73 million
Harold Perkins left the UCLA game with an apparent knee injury that was later reported as a torn ACL. LSU finished with a 34-17 win over the Bruins despite the injury. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
7. Florida at Mississippi State
Channel: ESPN
Date/Time: Noon ET Saturday, Sept. 21
Viewers: 2.64 million million
Florida held off its sixth consecutive SEC loss on Saturday, picking up a 45-28 win over Mississippi State. Gators quarterback Graham Mertz was 19 of 21 for 201 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 24 yards and a score in the win. Billy Napier is still on the hot seat entering Florida’s bye week.
8. Utah at Oklahoma State
Channel: FOX
Date/Time: 4 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 21
Viewers: 2.14 million
True freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson led Utah to its first Big 12 win, beating Oklahoma State 22-19. Wilson showed off his mobility over the course of the game, picking up key first downs and ripping off a 48-yard run. He completed 17 of 29 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions to go with 41 rushing yards. He finished as an On3 True Freshman Standout of Week 4.
9. Arkansas at Auburn
Channel: ESPN
Date/Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 21
Viewers: 2.01 million
Arkansas forced five turnovers as Auburn’s quarterback woes continued on Saturday. Auburn quarterback Hank Brown threw three interceptions and completed just seven passes for 72 yards before being pulled. The Razorbacks are now 3-1. Arkansas defensive back TJ Metcalf has three interceptions in four games.
10. NC State at Clemson
Channel: ABC
Date/Time: Noon ET Saturday, Sept. 21
Viewers: 1.95 million
Clemson is the first FBS team with at least a 28-point lead after the first quarter in back-to-back games in the last 20 years. The Tigers finished with a 59-35 win over NC State as quarterback Cade Klubnik was 16 of 24 for 209 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 70 yards and a score. Clemson looks ready to compete for the ACC title after a Week 1 loss to Georgia.