College Football TV Ratings: Most-watched games of Week 0
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For the first time since January, college football games took place on Saturday for Week 0. A handful of games served as an appetizer for Week 1, and fans were tuned in for the matchups throughout the day.
During the 2025 season, college football saw its TV ratings surge, and Week 0 provided a strong start to 2026. North Carolina’s win over TCU got the day started in a standalone spot in Ireland and led the charge for the first full Saturday of the year.
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Now, it’s on to Week 1, which will get underway on Thursday night before going through the Labor Day holiday. Here are the most-watched college football games from Week 0, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel TV ratings data.
Editor’s Note: ACC Network and CBS Sports Network do not pay for Nielsen to measure viewership.
North Carolina vs. TCU (in Dublin, Ireland)
Date/Time: Aug. 29, Noon ET
Network: ESPN
Viewers: 4.9 million
Following a rocky debut season, North Carolina picked up a signature win under Bill Belichick in Week 0. The Tar Heels rallied to take down TCU in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Ireland as part of the most-watched game of the week. An average of 4.9 million viewers tuned in for the matchup, ESPN announced, which is up from the 3.2 million who watched last year’s Dublin game.
North Carolina went down 10-3 in the first quarter before rallying for 12 unanswered points to take down TCU 15-10 and start Year 2 of the Belichick era in grand fashion. Billy Edwards Jr. went 16 of 28 for 232 yards in the effort and Jelani Thurman hauled in four catches for 94 yards to lead UNC.
NC State vs. Virginia
Date/Time: Aug. 29, 3:30 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN
Viewers: 3.2 million
Virginia got off to a strong start against NC State in Week 0 and did not look back en route to a resounding 34-8 victory in Charlottesville. The game was also the second-most watched game of the week with 3.2 million viewers in the afternoon window.
Beau Pribula shined in his UVA debut following his arrival from Missouri and led the charge in the win. He completed 9-of-11 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the Hoos in rushing with 110 yards on 15 carries as part of the effort.
Florida State vs. New Mexico State
Date/Time: Aug. 29, 7 p.m. ET
Channel: The CW
Viewers: 1.962 million
Early on, it looked like New Mexico State had an upset on its mind as it took on Florida State in Tallahassee. However, the Seminoles pulled away as they started the season 1-0 with a win over the Aggies in what became The CW’s most-watched college football broadcast ever with 1.96 million viewers.
Ashton Daniels went 17-of-27 passing for 202 yards and a touchdown in his FSU debut, but the running game led the charge. Ousmane Kromah took 14 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown, and Samuel Singleton also added a score as part of the 34-17 victory.
USC vs. San Jose State
Date/Time: Aug. 29, 3 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 1.86
USC’s offense was on full display in a Week 0 win over San Jose State on a hot day in Los Angeles. The Trojans’ victory also averaged 1.86 million viewers in the afternoon slot to kick off NBC’s third season of Big Ten football.
Jayden Maiava had an impressive showing in three full quarters of action to start the year. He completed 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns, and Trent Mosley also emerged as his top target with seven catches for 118 yards and a score.
Memphis vs. UNLV
Date/Time: Aug. 29, 10 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 1.65 million
An intriguing Group of 6 matchup delivered in the night window during Week 0. Memphis took down UNLV in a thriller at Allegiant Stadium to kick off Charles Huff’s first season as Tigers head coach, and the game averaged 1.65 million viewers.
Marcus Stokes completed 15 of 26 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns while Jaylin Carter ran for 97 yards and a score to lead the run game. The Tigers outdueled a UNLV team led by new quarterback Jackson Arnold, who went 25-of-37 for 291 yards and two touchdowns while running for 54 yards and a touchdown.
With Week 0 in the books, it’s officially on to Week 1 with a full slate of games coming up this weekend as college football also looks to continue its TV ratings run. Games will start Thursday and then run through a Monday night matchup on Labor Day.
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