Pac-12, SEC offensive fireworks ideal for first ESPN primetime whip-around show

Two main takeaways emerged from last Saturday’s buffet of college football games:

In its final year of its rights contract with the SEC, CBS dominated the day, capturing the two largest viewing audiences and three of the top four.

Not surprisingly, Alabama‘s 42-28 victory over LSU attracted 8.82 million viewers, topping all games. Some 7 million viewers watched Georgia keep its unbeaten season alive by knocking off Missouri. And Ohio State‘s victory over Rutgers finished fourth in viewership, drawing 3.96 million on CBS in the noon ET window. All figures courtesy of Sports Media Watch.

The other big takeaway – which may carry more long-term implications – is that the primetime display of offensive fireworks on two networks made for the perfect split-screen offering for the first installment of ESPN‘s “CFP Primetime with Pat McAfee,” which bills itself as an NFL RedZone-like whip-around show.

Squaring off head to head on CBS and ABC in primetime: the can’t-miss LSU-Alabama rivalry and the dizzying Washington–USC scoring spree that gave defensive enthusiasts nationwide agita. Washington’s 52-42 victory attracted 4.45 million viewers, good for third-most Saturday.

With two luminaries at quarterback, Washington squarely in the College Football Playoff hunt and questions circulating about USC’s issues, the Pac-12 game carried the most intrigue. 

CFP Primetime with Pat McAfee entertaining

Who were the two big winners in the Washington-USC game?

The viewing audience and Oregon.

A game that lacked any semblance of defense – and a day later (finally) prompted the firing of Trojans defensive coordinator Alex Grinch – made clear that the Pac-12 team to beat, at the moment, is surging Oregon.

Washington obviously edged the Ducks in Seattle, 36-33, an outcome that Oregon Coach Dan Lanning put squarely on his shoulders because of some dubious on-field decisions. But that was then, and the Ducks are now – eyeing what may be a CFP play-in game against Washington in the Pac-12 title game in Las Vegas.

The dazzling, fun-to-watch offensive showcase in the Los Angeles Coliseum was captivating for viewers. That enthusiasm was not lost on Kirk Herbstreit, who called the game with longtime on-air partner Chris Fowler. During halftime, their brief appearance on “CFP Primetime with Pat McAfee” was among the highlights of ESPN’s new show.

“Have you ever seen a half like that?” Herbstreit, who appeared to be talking into a phone, asked McAfee.

“Electrifying,” McAfee said. 

“I don’t think the punters dressed tonight,” Herbstreit said. “I’ve been calling games for 100 years. I’ve never called a half like that in my life. It’s a combination of really good quarterback play, really good offenses and defenses – let’s be honest – are not the best.”

“Not the best” was the understatement of the day. Washinton amassed 572 total yards (316 on the ground); USC racked up 515 total yards.

The game had a little bit of everything, at least offensively. And it concluded with both an inevitability – that Grinch would be fired before the sun showed itself Monday morning – and a surprise – Caleb Williams leaning into his mom in the stands and appearing to sob.

For Williams, the disappointment was palpable. Afterward, he told the media, “I want to go home and cuddle with my dog and watch some shows.”

Whether you are an SEC fanatic or love watching the Pac-12 star quarterbacks, Saturday night proved difficult to pry oneself away from the games. And it made for ideal menu items for ESPN’s whip-around show, which mixed insight, pointed analysis, humor and important in-game cut-ins. 

Most-watched college football regular season ever?

Michael Mulvihill, FOX Corp‘s president of insights and analytics, tweeted Wednesday that the total viewing audience for college football is now up more than 15% over the last year across all networks.

“It’s now a virtual certainty that this will be the most-watched CFB regular season ever,” Mulvihill said. “The sport is 15% ahead of a 2022 season that just missed being the most-watched ever.”

Those numbers should only continue to rise this weekend. Saturday offers a handful of impactful games involving CFP hopefuls.

On Big Noon Kickoff on FOX Sports, Michigan travels to Penn State as controversy and speculation swirl around Jim Harbaugh amid the alleged sign-stealing scandal.

In the mid-afternoon window, Florida State looks to remain unbeaten against in-state rival Miami on ABC. And on the heels of the USC victory, Washington hosts Utah on FOX in a dangerous game for the Huskies.

And on ESPN in primetime, Georgia, now immersed in the toughest part of its schedule, hosts Ole Miss.  Texas–TCU and, late night, Oregon-USC also warrant keeping an eye on.

As college football hits its stretch run, look for a historically strong viewing season to continue.