College Football TV Ratings: Most-watched games of Week 7
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Throughout the Week 7 slate, five of the top seven teams in the AP Top 25 lost. It was a historically crazy day across college football with upsets all over the sport, and the TV ratings reflected it.
The top two teams notably fell on Saturday as No. 1 Georgia lost to Auburn and No. 2 Notre Dame dropped its Top-10 matchup against BYU. A Top-5 showdown in Bloomington, though, won the week as No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Indiana on FOX drew the highest viewership for Week 7.
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In fact, Week 7 became the second most-watched regular season Saturday on record with 12.8 billion viewing minutes, according to ESPN’s Flora Kelly. Here are the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 7, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel data. Full Week 7 viewership is included below the Top 10.
Ohio State vs. Indiana
Date/Time: Oct. 17, 12 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 10.38 million
In a hotly contested matchup, it appeared as though Indiana was going to avoid the upset against Ohio State. However, Nick Marsh was out of bounds when he caught the go-ahead touchdown, and the Buckeyes prevailed on FOX in the most-watched game of the week.
With the win, Ohio State ended Indiana’s 22-game win streak, dating back to last season. However, the Buckeyes saw quarterback Julian Sayin go down with an injury that Ryan Day said could keep him out “several weeks.”
Notre Dame vs. BYU
Date/Time: Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 9.16 million
The headliner of the Week 7 primetime slate, Notre Dame and BYU squared off in a highly anticipated Top-10 matchup at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Cougars fought off a late charge, though, and got the win in ABC’s most-watched game of the week.
Bear Bachmeier had a huge game with two rushing touchdowns, a passing touchdown and a receiving touchdown to lead the way. On the Notre Dame side, CJ Carr led the Irish down the field before a final touchdown pass attempt fell incomplete.
Alabama vs. Tennessee
Date/Time: Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 8.10 million
As Alabama and Tennessee renewed their rivalry, the Volunteers’ defense stepped up and kept the Crimson Tide quiet. ABC’s late-afternoon game also brought in 8.1 million viewers for the Third Saturday in October.
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DeSean Bishop once again anchored the Volunteers rushing attack in the effort. He took 32 carries for 159 yards and two touchdowns as Tennessee improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in SEC play with the 26-10 win.
Florida vs. Texas
Date/Time: Oct. 17, 12 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 4.69 million
ABC’s early afternoon game featured another major upset in Week 7. Florida rallied to take down Texas at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium and brought 4.7 million viewers on average, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel.
Florida trailed 17-3 at one point before rallying for the 27-24 win in Austin to get back in the win column. Jadan Baugh took 25 carries for 91 yards and what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown as part of another big game.
Penn State vs. Michigan
Date/Time: Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Viewers: 4.50 million
CBS’ B1G Time game was also among the Top 10 most-watched games in Week 7. Tommy Carr replaced Bryce Underwood at quarterback for the second half and lit a spark as Michigan rallied to take down Penn State.
The Michigan quarterback situation is one of the big storylines after Saturday’s game after Carr threw for 47 yards, ran for 36 yards and scored a rushing touchdown in the second half. He will now get the start against Indiana on Saturday, On3’s Pete Nakos reported.
Florida State vs. Miami
Date/Time: Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 3.55 million
It took two overtimes, but Miami avoided an upset as part of the wild Week 7 slate of games. The Hurricanes held on to defeat Florida State as part of a big TV ratings day for ESPN’s college football slate.
Malachi Toney hauled in the game-winner in 2OT as Miami continued its undefeated season. The Hurricanes’ offense continues to roll heading into an intriguing ACC matchup on Saturday against Pitt.
Auburn vs. Georgia
Date/Time: Oct. 17, 12 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 3.46 million
In the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, Auburn got a last-second field goal to stun No. 1 Georgia between the hedges. The matchup also brought in a TV ratings win for ESPN with one of the most-watched college football games of the week.
Alex McPherson drilled the game-winning field goal to propel Auburn to the victory. The Tigers will now get ready to face Ole Miss in Week 8 while UGA will enter its bye week before taking on Florida next time out.
Washington vs. Purdue
Date/Time: Oct. 16, 8 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 2.59 million
Once again, FOX’s Friday night primetime slate was among the Top 10 most-watched games of the week. Purdue made things interesting at home against Washington, but the Huskies eventually held on for the victory.
Elijah Brown got the start for UW and completed 21 of 27 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns, to three interceptions. FOX has gotten impressive TV ratings with its Friday night college football primetime slot, and Week 7 continued that trend.
Nebraska vs. Oregon
Date/Time: Oct. 17, 11 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 2.485 million
FOX’s late primetime game scored strong viewership, given the 11 p.m. ET kickoff. Oregon put together a late surge, fueled by quarterback Dylan Raiola, as the Ducks took down Nebraska in the final minutes at Autzen Stadium.
Raiola entered the game in the fourth quarter and helped spark an Oregon comeback. He went 11-for-18 for 59 yards and a touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson to put the Ducks out in front 17-14, which held as the final.
Arizona State vs. Texas Tech
Date/Time: Oct. 17, 4 p.m .ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 2.481 million
As Texas Tech came out of the bye, the Red Raiders got a resounding victory over Arizona State as part of the Week 7 slate. It was also another big game for FOX as one of the most-watched matchups of the weekend.
J’Koby Williams led the way for Texas Tech, taking 11 carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Will Hammond also went 18-for-26 for 232 yards and a touchdown in the resounding home win.
College Football TV Ratings: Full Week 7 viewership
We’re now past the halfway point of the 2026 college football season as TV ratings hit a surge. Just a couple weeks remain in October before we hit the sprint toward the College Football Playoff rankings in November.
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