College Football TV Ratings: Top 10 most-watched games of Week 1
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College football made its full return in Week 1, and the TV ratings have been released. A full slate of action ran from Thursday night through Monday night after Week 0 served as the appetizer ahead of the 2026 season.
The most-anticipated game of the week was in Baton Rouge on Saturday night, though the game was delayed due to weather in the area, which had an impact on viewership. In fact, NBC’s Sunday night matchup between Notre Dame and Wisconsin became the top game of Week 1.
On3 is breaking down the TV ratings for Week 1 of the 2026 college football season based on Nielsen Big Data + Panel data. Here are the Top 10 most-watched games of the week. (Note: SEC Network, ACC Network and CBS Sports Network do not pay for Nielsen to measure viewership.)
Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (at Lambeau Field)
Date/Time: Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 7.4 million (8.1 million including Adobe Analytics/Peacock)
One of two Sunday night primetime games in Week 1, Wisconsin kept things close against Notre Dame through two quarters at Lambeau Field. The Fighting Irish pulled away after halftime, though, and got the 41-13 victory to start the season – and NBC scored the most-watched game of the weekend.
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The game went directly against Ole Miss vs. Louisville, which took place in Nashville on ABC. Despite that, NBC won the weekend and also got 683,000 viewers via streaming, the network announced Thursday.
Clemson vs. LSU
Date/Time: Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. ET (delayed due to weather)
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 5.8 million
The headliner in Week 1, Clemson vs. LSU had to wait to kick off due to storms in the area. Still, an average of 5.8 million people tuned in to watch as the Tigers kicked off the Lane Kiffin Era with a resounding victory over Clemson in Death Valley.
Sam Leavitt was impressive in his debut after transferring from Arizona State. He threw for 230 yards and a touchdown in the air while taking 12 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the running game, as well.
Washington State vs. Washington
Date/Time: Sept. 6, 3 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 5.1 million (5.5 million including Adobe Analytics/Peacock)
The Apple Cup took place early this year as Washington State and Washington squared off in Week 1. It was a standalone game on NBC on Sunday afternoon and it became one of the top games of the weekend.
Washington got the victory in the rivalry affair thanks to a huge performance from Demond Williams. He threw for 268 yards and a touchdown while leading the Huskies with 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Boise State vs. Oregon
Date/Time: Sept. 5, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Viewers: 4.8 million
The Week 1 matchup brought shades of 2024 as Boise State put Oregon squarely on upset alert. The Ducks eventually came away with the victory to start the year in CBS’ most-watched Week 1 game in 28 years.
Dante Moore was impressive in the victory, going 28-of-37 for 358 yards and three touchdowns to lead the charge and help Oregon avoid the upset. The Ducks now getting ready for a trip to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State in Week 2.
Louisville vs. Ole Miss (in Nashville)
Date/Time: Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 4.7 million
The first regular season game of the Pete Golding Era at Ole Miss came down to the final seconds against Louisville. Trinidad Chambliss got the Rebels into field goal territory and Lucas Carneiro sent them to victory with the walk-off kick.
Sunday’s game marks the second straight year ABC found success beyond Saturday as part of the Labor Day slate. Ole Miss vs. Louisville’s TV ratings were still strong despite competing directly with Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin, which aired on NBC.
Baylor vs. Auburn (in Atlanta)
Date/Time: Sept. 5, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 4.2 million
The Aflac Kickoff Game came down to the wire in the 3:30 p.m. ET window during Week 1. It came down to a last-second two-point conversion, which fell just short as Auburn held on for the victory over Baylor.
DJ Lagway played through injury in his Bears debut but still threw for 333 passes and two touchdowns in the effort. On the Auburn side, Byrum Brown ran for a touchdown while also going 26-of-35 for 259 yards, with three interceptions.
Western Michigan vs. Michigan
Date/Time: Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 4.1 million (4.5 million including Adobe Analytics/Peacock)
NBC’s primetime game between Western Michigan and Michigan became one of the biggest stories in college football afterward, but it also resulted in Top-10 TV ratings. The Wolverines avoided the upset after the officials put one second back on the clock in a controversial ending.
WMU had a 12-7 lead when one second went back on the clock and Bryce Underwood found JJ Buchanan on the game-winning Hail Mary. The game also might have gotten a boost because of the delay during LSU vs. Clemson, which was set to kick off at the same time.
Alabama vs. East Carolina
Date/Time: Sept. 5, 12 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 3.8 million
Keelon Russell’s debut was among the top storylines heading into Week 1 of the 2026 college football season, and the TV ratings delivered. Alabama’s win over East Carolina drew the highest viewership during the early window to kick off ABC’s tripleheader.
Russell threw for 256 passing yards while also making plays with his legs as he ran for 86 rushing yards and a touchdown. Alabama will now get ready to turn its attention to the SEC opener in Week 2 against Kentucky.
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech
Date/Time: Sept. 3, 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 3.7 million
Points came at a premium for most of Colorado vs. Georgia Tech on Thursday night in Week 1. But the Buffaloes and Yellow Jackets put together a thrilling finish as Deion Sanders’ group got the last-second victory in Atlanta.
Early in Coach Prime’s tenure, Colorado regularly appeared in the most-watched games each week. The Buffaloes are back in the Top 10 to start 2026 as the headliner of the Thursday night slate and the top weekday game during Week 1.
North Texas vs. Indiana
Date/Time: Sept. 5, 12 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 2.8 million
FOX’s debut Big Noon Saturday game featured the reigning national champion. Indiana took on North Texas to start Year 3 under Curt Cignetti, and the Hoosiers handled the Mean Green with ease to get things underway.
Josh Hoover was efficient in his IU debut after transferring from TCU. He went 13-of-16 passing for 231 yards and four touchdowns in the victory, which was among the most-watched games of Week 1.
With Week 1 in the books, college football is moving on to Week 2 starting Thursday as it looks to continue its TV ratings run from last year. The big draw on Saturday is in Austin where a top-five showdown awaits at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
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