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College Football TV Ratings: Michigan at Ohio State averages 12.3 million viewers

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz12/05/24NickSchultz_7
Michigan vs. Ohio State in The Game in 2024
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

For the first time since 2020, Michigan vs. Ohio State was not the most-watched game of the college football season. Still, this year’s edition of The Game was a big win for FOX.

Michigan at Ohio State averaged 12.3 million viewers on Saturday, making it the second-most watched game of the year, FOX announced. Only Texas vs. Georgia drew higher TV ratings with 13.19 million people tuning in to ABC for the Week 8 SEC matchup, making it the most-watched college football game in 2024.

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The 2024 installment of “The Game” marked a steep drop in viewership from last year’s 19.06 million, which came as Michigan was making a run to the national championship and Ohio State looked to play spoiler. It’s also the first time since 2020 the rivalry didn’t lead the college football viewership charts because it was canceled that year. The 2019 season marked the last time “The Game” was played, but wasn’t the most-watched game of the season.

The Wolverines looked to extend that streak to four this year as hefty underdogs against the Buckeyes. They did just that. Michigan held on to defeat Ohio State 13-10, marking the first time since 1988-91 the Wolverines have won four straight games over the Buckeyes. Afterward, tempers flared as a brawl broke out at midfield after UM players attempted to plant a flag.

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By falling in Saturday’s rivalry affair, Ohio State also missed out on a trip to the Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes are still squarely in the mix for the College Football Playoff and would be in line to host a first-round game, based on the current rankings and projected bracket. However, all eyes are on what happens during Championship Week to see if a CFP game will come to The Horsehoe.

Ohio State at Michigan leads Week 14 viewership

Despite the drop in viewership from last year, Ohio State vs. Michigan still led the college football TV ratings charge in Week 14. Other high-profile games drew big audiences, as well.

The SEC continues to thrive in its new slots on ABC. The return of the Lone Star Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M wasn’t far behind Ohio State vs. Michigan, averaging 9.5 million in the 7:30 p.m. slot. That was followed by a Black Friday showdown between Georgia and Georgia Tech, which averaged 8.5 million viewers as that game went to eight overtimes.

Rounding out ABC’s top three games, the Iron Bowl between Auburn and Alabama averaged 7.4 million viewers. Kalen DeBoer got his first rivalry win in the 3:30 p.m. ET window on Saturday and the Crimson Tide are in position to make the CFP as a result – although the bubble could still shift.