College Football TV Ratings: Most-watched games of Week 3

NCAAF College Football
September 22, 2026
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Week 3 of college football featured one of the most anticipated games of the season, and it delivered from a TV ratings standpoint. It was part of a unique Saturday slate of games, which included multiple weather delays.

Ole Miss’ victory over Lane Kiffin and LSU led the conversation on Saturday as the Rebels got the better of the Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. It became a big TV ratings win for ABC in its college football primetime slot and is also one of the most-watched games of the season.

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With Week 3 in the books, the 2026 season is now 25% complete as conference play gets ready to heat up across the sport. Here are the Top 10 most-watched college football games of Week 3, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel TV ratings data.

LSU vs. Ole Miss

Date/Time: Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.90 million

The top draw in Week 3 delivered as the most-watched game on the schedule. Ole Miss’ victory over LSU averaged 10.9 million viewers on ABC to rank as the second-most watched game of the year, according to data compiled by On3.

The game was one of the most anticipated matchups of the year as Lane Kiffin made his return to Oxford for the first time since leaving Ole Miss last season. Trinidad Chambliss stole the show as he completed 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns in the air, and he ran in what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 6:14 to go in the fourth quarter.

Florida State vs. Alabama

Date/Time: Sept. 12, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 7.01 million

Weather delays had a major impact on Florida State’s rematch against Alabama on Saturday. ABC was only able to air the first half as a result, but the partial game still brought in 7 million viewers before moving to ESPN2.

Keelon Russell had a monster game as he completed 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown as Alabama got its revenge against Florida State following last year’s upset.

Kentucky vs. Texas A&M

Date/Time: Sept. 19, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC, ESPN
Viewers: 5.36 million

One of the biggest upsets of Week 3 came in College Station. That’s where Will Stein picked up a signature victory in Year 1 at Kentucky as the Wildcats defeated Texas A&M in the late-afternoon window as it aired on ABC during the Florida State-Alabama delay in addition to its slot on ESPN.

Kenny Minchey was efficient for UK, going 14-of-18 for 252 yards and two touchdowns to lead the charge. CJ Baxter also led the running game with 19 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Georgia vs. Arkansas

Date/Time: Sept. 19, 12 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 4.18 million

It was all Georgia in the Bulldogs’ SEC opener against Arkansas. UGA dominated the Razorbacks on both sides of the ball en route to the 45-17 victory on the road in Fayetteville in Week 3.

Gunner Stockton put together a complete performance in the victory. He went 10-for-13 for 147 yards and a touchdown in the air while leading the running game with 97 rushing yards. Chauncey Bowens also scored a game-high three rushing touchdowns on the ground.

North Carolina vs. Clemson

Date/Time: Sept. 19, 12 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 3.59 million

Weather played a significant role in North Carolina’s game against Clemson, which took place in ESPN’s early window on Saturday. The Tar Heels led 17-3 at one point before the Tigers stormed back to get the 28-20 victory.

Tait Reynolds threw for 215 yards and a touchdown while Gideon Davidson had a rushing touchdown, as well. The game started on ESPN before shifting to ESPNEWS, which is not Nielsen-rated.

Michigan State vs. Notre Dame

Date/Time: Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 3.24 million

Despite going up against LSU vs. Ole Miss in primetime, Michigan State vs. Notre Dame still became one of the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 3. The Spartans trailed 17-10 at halftime before the Irish shut them out after halftime en route to the 27-10 victory.

Nolan James Jr. led the run game for Notre Dame as he took 26 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown. CJ Carr was also efficient, going 18-for-24 for 234 yards in the passing game as the Fighting Irish improved to 3-0 on the year.

Houston vs. Texas Tech

Date/Time: Sept. 18, 8 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 3.03 million

The headliner of the Friday night primetime slate took place in Lubbock as two Top-25 teams battled it out. Houston came inches away from forcing overtime against Texas Tech, but Conner Weigman’s two-point conversion attempt fell just short in a huge Big 12 game.

Will Hammond went 17-for-27 for 257 yards and a touchdown to lead the Red Raiders while Cameron Dickey had a team-high 65 rushing yards and a score. Texas Tech is now 3-0 in its quest for a Big 12 repeat this year and has a ranked win under its belt, as well.

Kent State vs. Ohio State

Date/Time: Sept. 19, 12 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 2.72 million

In FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff game in Week 3, Ohio State didn’t leave any room for doubt against Kent State. The Buckeyes dominated in their non-conference finale as they got the 59-3 victory at The Horseshoe.

Julian Sayin went 18-for-22 for 241 yards and two touchdowns before Luke Fahey took over at quarterback, and Ja’Kobi Jackson had two rushing touchdowns. It was quite the bounce back for Ohio State after the loss to Texas as the Buckeyes now get ready for Big Ten play.

Miami vs. Wake Forest

Date/Time: Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 2.34 million

Darian Mensah made history in a few ways during Miami’s Friday night game against Wake Forest. He set Hurricanes and ACC records with his 24-for-24 start as part of the 33-20 victory over the Demon Deacons.

All told, Mensah went 30-of-34 for 220 yards and three touchdowns while Malachi Toney had another monster game with 12 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. Miami will now get ready for its first Saturday game of the season this week after three straight weekday games to start the year.

Florida vs. Auburn

Date/Time: Sept. 19, 7 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 2.05 million

Jon Sumrall got his first SEC win as Florida head coach as the Gators took down Auburn on The Plains on Saturday. ESPN picked up a TV ratings win in the primetime window even despite the stiff competition.

Jadan Baugh had a monster performance in the effort, taking 26 carries for 162 yards and three touchdowns to lead the charge. Florida is now getting ready for a big-time matchup at The Swamp in Week 4 as Ole Miss comes to town.

It’s now on to Week 4 as the college football season goes along. The slate will feature six ranked matchups as part of a loaded slate, including three during the primetime window on Saturday night.

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