College Football TV Ratings: Top 10 most-watched games of Week 10

With TV ratings still rising, college football kicked off November in Week 10. A full slate of games was on the docket with plenty at stake as the season heats up.

Saturday’s slate also marked the second day of a blackout for YouTube TV and its 10 million subscribers. Disney networks, including ESPN and ABC, went dark on the service late Oct. 30 as the carriage dispute between the two sides continued. Additionally, Game 7 of the World Series was in primetime on Saturday.

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On3 obtained Nielsen Big Data + Panel ratings data for the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 10. Here is the full breakdown of the week’s college football TV ratings.

Note: SEC Network, ACC Network and CBS Sports Network do not pay for Nielsen to measure viewership.

Florida vs. Georgia

Date/Time: Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 7.8 million

The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party returned to Jacksonville as Florida and Georgia renewed their rivalry game. UGA eventually held off the Gators to get the win in front of an average of 7.8 million viewers on ABC, becoming the most-watched game of Week 10.

Penn State at Ohio State

Date/Time: Nov. 1, Noon ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 7.2 million

During the preseason, the Week 10 game between Penn State and Ohio State looked like it’d be a Big Ten Championship preview. Things have changed, though, and the Buckeyes used a huge second half to cruise to a victory over the Nittany Lions in a huge TV ratings win for FOX’s Big Noon Saturday. At 7.2 million, it was the second-most watched game of Week 10.

Oklahoma at Tennessee

Date/Time: Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 4.8 million

In the primetime window, Oklahoma and Tennessee squared off in what was billed as a likely College Football Playoff eliminator. It lived up to the billing, and the Sooners came away with the victory over the Vols on Rocky Top to keep their CFP hopes alive.

Vanderbilt at Texas

Date/Time: Nov. 1, Noon ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 4.5 million

Texas got its offense going against Vanderbilt, led by a big day from quarterback Arch Manning. The Commodores didn’t go away quietly, but the Longhorns held on to get the victory and start off another big day for ABC.

Texas Tech at Kansas State

Date/Time: Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 3.1 million

Looking to stay toward the top of the Big 12 standings, Texas Tech flexed its muscle again in a resounding win over Kansas State. The matchup took place in the middle of a crowded 3:30 p.m. ET slate, but still brought in a TV ratings win for FOX with 3.1 million viewers on average.

Indiana at Maryland

Date/Time: Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Viewers: 2.9 million

CBS’ Big Ten game saw Indiana make another emphatic statement. The Hoosiers didn’t leave any room for doubt against Maryland as they flew past the Terrapins 55-10 in College Park.

USC at Nebraska

Date/Time: Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 2.1 million

An intriguing Big Ten matchup took place in NBC’s primetime slot, and USC eventually came away with the victory over Nebraska in Lincoln. It became one of the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 10 as USC improved to 6-2, but the Cornhuskers also lost quarterback Dylan Raiola for the rest of the year due to injury.

Notre Dame at Boston College

Date/Time: Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 1.7 million

Boston College looked to have its mind set on an upset as the Eagles took on Notre Dame in Week 10. The Fighting Irish pulled away late, though, thanks in large part to a 94-yard touchdown run from Jeremiyah Love to get the 25-10 victory. An average of 1.7 million people tuned in for the matchup.

Purdue at Michigan

Date/Time: Nov. 1, 7 p.m. ET
Channel: Big Ten Network
Viewers: 1.6 million

Big Ten Network picked up a TV ratings victory in Week 10 of college football as Michigan took down Purdue. The game drew 1.6 million viewers on average for the Wolverines’ 21-16 victory over the Boilermakers, who tried to mount a late charge.

Miami at SMU

Date/Time: Nov. 1, Noon ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 1.5 million

A big-time upset took place at Gerald J. Ford Stadium as SMU took Miami to overtime and took down the Hurricanes. Mario Cristobal’s group now finds itself with two losses heading into the final stretch of the season while the Mustangs are squarely in the middle of the ACC race.

The national race is heating up, especially after the first College Football Rankings released Tuesday. That means more big games are on the way as college football looks to continue its TV ratings success.