College Football TV Ratings: Tracking the most-watched games of the 2026 season
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Last year, college football saw its TV ratings surge and looked to keep the trend going in 2026. On3 is tracking the most-watched games of the season, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel data compiled weekly.
Through the first two weeks, Texas’ thrilling comeback win over Ohio State emerged as the top game of the young college football season. It was the first game of the year to hit 10 million viewers, averaging nearly 14 million as part of the Week 2 slate.
Here is a look at the Top 10 most-watched games of the 2026 season, which will be updated weekly. Additionally, a TV ratings tracker is below the Top 10 with viewership for every Nielsen-rated college football game of the year.
Note: SEC Network, ACC Network and CBS Sports Network do not pay for Nielsen to measure viewership.
1. Ohio State vs. Texas
Date/Time: Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 13.99 million
The biggest game of Week 2 delivered for ABC. Texas’ thrilling comeback win over Ohio State became the most-watched game on the schedule with 14.0 million viewers, which was down from last year’s game, which brought 16.6 million on FOX.
$19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage
The Longhorns rallied from a 23-3 deficit entering the fourth quarter to get the 24-23 win over the then-top ranked Buckeyes. Arch Manning threw for a touchdown in that final frame while Hollywood Smothers ran in two scores, including the eventual game-winner.
2. Oklahoma vs. Michigan
Date/Time: Sept. 12, 12 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 8.22 million
FOX’s Big Noon Saturday game saw one of the upsets in Week 2. Oklahoma’s offense struggled mightily against Michigan, and the Wolverines were able to capitalize and get the victory in the early window in front of more than 8 million viewers.
Michigan forced two Oklahoma turnovers, including a fourth-quarter interception of John Mateer that helped set up the go-ahead touchdown. The Sooners had one last chance in the final minute, but the drive stalled out as the Wolverines held on for the 17-10 upset win.
3. Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (at Lambeau Field)
Date/Time: Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 7.42 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.
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.
4. Alabama vs. Kentucky
Date/Time: Sept. 12, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 7.28 million
Early on, Kentucky looked like it had an upset on its mind against Alabama after the two teams traded pick-sixes. The Crimson Tide was able to right the ship after halftime, though, and come away with the 45-17 victory in Lexington.
Keelon Russell went 16-of-23 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown, along with three turnovers. Daniel Hill led the rushing attack in the effort with a game-high 104 yards and a touchdown.
5. Clemson vs. LSU
Date/Time: Sept. 5, 9:30 p.m. ET (delayed due to weather)
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 5.76 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.
6. Washington State vs. Washington
Date/Time: Sept. 6, 3 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 5.14 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.
7. North Carolina vs. TCU (in Dublin, Ireland)
Date/Time: Aug. 29, Noon ET
Network: ESPN
Viewers: 4.91 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.
8. Boise State vs. Oregon
Date/Time: Sept. 5, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Viewers: 4.83 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. That includes a 62-yard touchdown pass to Dakorien Moore with 7:51 to play, which proved to be the game-winner.
9. Louisville vs. Ole Miss (in Nashville)
Date/Time: Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 4.70 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.
10. Baylor vs. Auburn (in Atlanta)
Date/Time: Sept. 5, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 4.24 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.
College Football TV Ratings: Full 2026 viewership
In 2025, college football saw TV ratings increase 4% during the regular season and a 9% uptick in minutes consumed, counting the postseason. The College Football Playoff also saw ratings surge in the first year of Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel reporting method, as well. This season provides a chance for more of an apples-to-apples comparison.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos