College Football TV Ratings: Top 10 most-watched games of Week 3

A strong TV ratings start to the college football season continued in Week 3. Numbers continue to rise after Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel metrics data debuted this month, and the Top 10 most-watched games of the week are out.

Multiple high-profile matchups led the charge. Notably, Georgia and Tennessee squared off in an overtime thriller on ABC in the coveted 3:30 p.m. ET in the most-watched game of the week. In fact, ABC was a big winner once again, while Texas A&M and Notre Dame resulted in a primetime win for NBC.

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On3 compiled data from press releases, Sports Media Watch, Sports Business Journal and Programming Insider to break down the week’s college football TV ratings. Here are the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 3.

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

Georgia at Tennessee

Date/Time: Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 12.6 million

ABC’s strong start to the 2025 season continued as Georgia and Tennessee highlighted the 3:30 p.m. ET window – a slot which also saw plenty of weather delays. The rivalry matchup delivered and went to overtime, which is when Josh McCray punched in the game-winning score in the most-watched game of Week 3.

Florida at LSU

Date/Time: Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 7.6 million

ABC also won a loaded primetime TV window in Week 3 of the college football season as Florida at LSU drew huge ratings. The Tigers took down the Gators 20-10 in Baton Rouge in front of 7.6 million viewers as they improved to 3-0 on the season.

Texas A&M at Notre Dame

Date/Time: Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 6.2 million

NBC cracked the top five most-watched games of Week 3 as the matchup between Texas A&M and Notre Dame didn’t disappoint. The two teams traded blows before the Aggies scored in the final seconds to take the lead – and a botched Fighting Irish PAT loomed large.

Clemson at Georgia Tech

Date/Time: Sept. 13, Noon ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 4.8 million

One of the biggest results of Week 3 came in the Noon ET window and led the time slot in viewership. Georgia Tech came away with a huge upset win over Clemson at home in ESPN’s top game of the day as the Tigers fell to 1-2 on the young season.

Wisconsin at Alabama

Date/Time: Sept. 13, Noon ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 4.5 million

Leading off ABC’s tripleheader, Alabama made quite a statement in a resounding victory over Wisconsin at Bryant-Denny Stadium, led by a strong day from Ty Simpson. At 4.5 million viewers, it became the fifth most-watched game of the day as all three ABC games ranked in the top five.

Colorado at Houston

Date/Time: Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 2.9 million

In a Friday night primetime matchup, Houston fought off a first-half charge from Colorado to get a 36-20 home victory in Big 12 play. It also became one of the top 10 most-watched games of Week 3 as the Buffaloes maintain their rankings momentum entering Week 4.

Oregon at Northwestern

Date/Time: Sept. 13, Noon ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 2.3 million

FOX’s Big Noon Saturday game headed to the shores of Lake Michigan as Oregon took down Northwestern in Evanston. The Ducks cruised to the victory in the network’s most-watched game of Week 3.

Kansas State at Arizona

Date/Time: Sept. 12, 9 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 1.9 million

Another Friday night matchup, Kansas State at Arizona did not count as a Big 12 Conference game since the two teams agreed to the game before U of A joined the league. K-State struggled early but made a late charge before Arizona held on for a thrilling victory in Tucson.

Pitt at West Virginia

Date/Time: Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 1.7 million

The “Backyard Brawl” did not disappoint as Pitt and West Virginia squared off in their rivalry matchup. In Rich Rodriguez’s return to Morgantown, he picked up a huge victory as the Mountaineers took down the Panthers 31-24 in front of 1.7 million viewers on ESPN.

Arkansas at Ole Miss

Date/Time: Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 1.4 million

Rounding out the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 3, Arkansas and Ole Miss squared off in a high-scoring affair. Ultimately, the Rebels won out, coming away with the 41-35 victory to start SEC play.

College football’s TV ratings continue to surge to start the 2025 season, and Week 3 was not an exception. But as conference play gets ready to kick up, figures could continue to rise amid the wave.