College Football TV Ratings: Top 10 most-watched games of the 2025 regular season
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The 2025 college football season got off to a strong start as TV ratings surged. Viewership increased across the country ahead of an anticipated campaign.
It started out with record Week 1 ratings as four games topped 10 million viewers. Then, it ended with a monster Week 14, which saw three games reach 11 million – including the most-watched game of the year between Ohio State and Michigan at 18.4 million. All told, 11 games hit 10 million viewers and viewership increased by 9%, according to analyst Michael Mulvihill.
SUBSCRIBE to the On3 NIL and Sports Business Newsletter
Using compiled Big Data + Panel ratings data, On3 tracked the Top 10 most-watched games of the 2025 season. Here is the full list.
Note: SEC Network, ACC Network and CBS Sports Network do not pay for Nielsen to measure viewership.
Michigan at Ohio State
Date/Time: Nov. 29, Noon ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 18.4 million
The Game was once again a big draw in Week 14 and became the most-watched game of the season. Ohio State’s victory over Michigan averaged 18.4 million viewers on FOX to lead the charge as the Buckeyes ended their losing streak against the Wolverines.
Texas at Ohio State
Date/Time: Aug. 30, Noon ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 16.6 million
One of the most anticipated games of the 2025 season lived up to the billing as Ohio State took down Texas in a nail-biter in Columbus. With 16.6 million people tuning in, it became the most-watched Week 1 game in history and FOX’s third most-watched game on record.
Texas A&M at Texas
Date/Time: Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 13.0 million
The Lone Star Showdown had plenty at stake as Texas A&M headed to Texas. The Longhorns came away victorious, though, pulling off the upset in primetime on Black Friday in front of 13 million viewers on ABC.
Georgia at Tennessee
Date/Time: Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 12.6 million
Georgia and Tennessee played earlier than usual this year, but the matchup didn’t disappoint. The Bulldogs erased an early deficit and eventually forced overtime, which is when Josh McCray punched in the game-winning touchdown. It also became ABC’s most-watched game through the month of September with 12.6 million viewers.
Alabama at Auburn
Date/Time: Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 11.3 million
One of college football’s most storied rivalries returned to Jordan-Hare Stadium and it lived up to the billing. Alabama nearly saw a commanding lead disappear before eventually fighting off Auburn in the Iron Bowl, which drew 11.3 million viewers for ABC’s Saturday night game.
Notre Dame at Miami
Date/Time: Aug. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.8 million
A Sunday night primetime game on Labor Day weekend put two storied rivals against each other as Notre Dame headed to Miami. The Fighting Irish mounted a late charge after the Hurricanes took an early lead, but it wasn’t enough as Mario Cristobal’s group picked up a marquee victory in Week 1. It was part of a loaded slate of games with 10.8 million people watching.
Alabama at Florida State
Date/Time: Aug. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.7 million
After Tommy Castellanos’ preseason comments, Alabama and Florida State became an even more high-profile matchup in Week 1. The Seminoles quarterback stood on business, though, as FSU pulled off the upset at Doak Campbell Stadium in front of 10.7 million viewers.
Oklahoma at Alabama
Date/Time: Nov. 15, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.48 million
In a huge game for the College Football Playoff, Oklahoma capitalized on Alabama turnovers to get a win at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The matchup also became the most-watched college football game of Week 12 with 10.5 million people tuning to ABC.
LSU at Clemson
Date/Time: Aug. 30, 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.45 million
In the preseason, LSU and Clemson both generated buzz as potential national title contenders, which meant the Week 1 showdown would be a key game for both teams. Brian Kelly’s group eventually held strong to take down Clemson and get an important season-opening win in front of 10.45 million people in primetime.
Texas at Georgia
Date/Time: Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.43 million
Although Texas had an opportunity to improve its resume, Georgia had other plans. The Bulldogs took down the Longhorns 35-10 between the hedges, extending their win streak to six games. The matchup averaged 10.4 million viewers for ABC’s primetime game.
More top college football TV ratings
- Alabama at Georgia (Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 10.42 million
- Ole Miss at Georgia (Oct. 18, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 9.8 million
- Michigan at Oklahoma (Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 9.7 million
- Oklahoma vs. Texas (Oct. 11, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 8.7 million
- Oregon at Penn State (Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC) – 8.5 million (including Peacock)
- Tennessee at Alabama (Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 8 million
- Alabama at South Carolina (Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 7.8 million
- Florida vs. Georgia (Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 7.8 million
- Florida at LSU (Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 7.6 million
- LSU at Alabama (Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 7.5 million
- Penn State at Ohio State (Nov. 1, Noon ET, FOX) – 7.2 million
- Alabama at Missouri (Oct. 11, Noon ET, ABC) – 7 million
- Texas A&M at LSU (Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 6.8 million
- Georgia at Auburn (Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 6.7 million
- LSU at Ole Miss (Sept. 27, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 6.69 million
The SEC on ABC emerged as the big winner during the college football regular season, leading the charge from a TV ratings standpoint. All told, ABC had 21 of the top 25 most-watched games of the year.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos