Another huge week of college football resulted in big TV ratings for ABC. The network once again led the charge in Week 9.



ABC’s tripleheader took the top three spots from Saturday’s slate, led by <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alabama’s</a> thrilling victory over <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Carolina</a> at Williams-Brice Stadium. The matchup peaked at 10.3 million viewers as it became the most-watched game of the day. All told, ESPN and ABC had four of the top five games.



<a href="https://www.on3.com/nil/newsletter/signup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUBSCRIBE to the On3 NIL and Sports Business Newsletter</a>



On3 obtained Nielsen Big Data + Panel ratings data for the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 9. 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.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alabama-at-south-carolina">Alabama at South Carolina</h2>



Date/Time: Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m. ET Channel: ABC Viewers: 7.8 million



<a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alabama</a> found itself on Upset Watch in the second half against <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Carolina</a>, but the Crimson Tide mounted a late charge and capitalized on a <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/lanorris-sellers-145821/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LaNorris Sellers</a> fumble to pick up a seventh straight victory. It also helped ABC lead Week 9 with an average of 7.8 million viewers in the late-afternoon window.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-texas-a-amp-m-at-lsu">Texas A&M at LSU</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170655/marcel-reed_lsu-1024x538.jpg" alt="Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed vs. LSU" class="wp-image-3875411" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170655/marcel-reed_lsu-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170655/marcel-reed_lsu-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170655/marcel-reed_lsu-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170655/marcel-reed_lsu-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170655/marcel-reed_lsu.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>



Date/Time: Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. ET Channel: ABC Viewers: 6.8 million



A primetime matchup filled with storylines delivered as <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/aggie-yell/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&M</a> got a resounding victory over <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/lsu-tigers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LSU</a> in what turned out to be <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/brian-kelly-132649/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brian Kelly’s</a> final game as the Tigers’ head coach. The game was the most-watched in primetime as an average of 6.8 million people tuned to ABC.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ole-miss-at-oklahoma">Ole Miss at Oklahoma</h2>



Date/Time: Oct. 25, Noon ET Channel: ABC Viewers: 6.6 million



Billed as a potential College Football Playoff eliminator, ABC’s first game was one of the biggest on the slate. <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/ole-miss-rebels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ole Miss</a> eventually took down <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/oklahoma-sooners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oklahoma</a> in the matchup, giving the Rebels a crucial road victory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-michigan-at-michigan-state">Michigan at Michigan State</h2>



Date/Time: Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. ET Channel: NBC Viewers: 3.6 million



The Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy returned to East Lansing as <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/michigan-wolverines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan</a> renewed its rivalry with <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/michigan-state-spartans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan State</a>. The Wolverines’ 31-20 victory over the Spartans got the primetime treatment on NBC, averaging 3.6 million viewers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missouri-at-vanderbilt">Missouri at Vanderbilt</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170958/diego-pavia_mizzou-1024x538.jpg" alt="Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia vs. Missouri" class="wp-image-3875417" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170958/diego-pavia_mizzou-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170958/diego-pavia_mizzou-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170958/diego-pavia_mizzou-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170958/diego-pavia_mizzou-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170958/diego-pavia_mizzou.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">© Steve Roberts-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>



Date/Time: Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m. ET Channel: ESPN Viewers: 3.1 million



ESPN’s College GameDay was in attendance for another important SEC matchup between <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/mizzou-today/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Missouri</a> and <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/the-dore-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vanderbilt</a>. The Tigers and Commodores kept it close, but true freshman <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/matt-zollers-236456/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matt Zollers’</a> potential game-tying Hail Mary fell short of the end zone, sealing a 17-10 Vanderbilt victory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ucla-at-indiana">UCLA at Indiana</h2>



Date/Time: Oct. 25, Noon ET Channel: FOX Viewers: 3.0 million



A surging <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/bruin-blitz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA</a> team made Week 9’s matchup at <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/indiana-hoosiers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indiana</a> even more intriguing, and FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff was in Bloomington for it. The Hoosiers continued their dominant run, though, cruising past the Bruins 56-6 at Memorial Stadium in FOX’s top game of Week 9.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-byu-at-iowa-state">BYU at Iowa State</h2>



Date/Time: Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m. ET Channel: FOX Viewers: 2.7 million



Immediately following UCLA at Indiana, <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/byu-cougars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BYU</a> took on <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/cyclone-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iowa State</a> as the Cougars looked to stay undefeated. They did just that as they took down the Cyclones, 41-27, in Ames.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minnesota-at-iowa">Minnesota at Iowa</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170844/iowa_minnesota-1024x538.jpg" alt="Minnesota at Iowa" class="wp-image-3875415" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170844/iowa_minnesota-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170844/iowa_minnesota-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170844/iowa_minnesota-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170844/iowa_minnesota-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/10/28170844/iowa_minnesota.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">© Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>



Date/Time: Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m. ET Channel: CBS Viewers: 1.6 million



<a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/iowa-hawkeyes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iowa</a> didn’t leave any room for doubt in the battle for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy against <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/gophers-nation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Minnesota</a>. The Hawkeyes immediately took a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, blowing out the Golden Gophers 41-3 in the rivalry game. That led to a dip in viewership on CBS, which averaged 1.6 million viewers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-utah-at-colorado">Utah at Colorado</h2>



Date/Time: Oct. 25, 10 p.m. ET Channel: ESPN Viewers: 1.29 million



<a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/cu-sports-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado</a> looked to build on a win over <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/cyclone-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iowa State</a> in Week 8, but struggled mightily against a red-hot <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/utah-utes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utah</a> team. The Utes dominated en route to the 53-7 victory, improving to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in Big 12 play in front of 1.29 million people in ESPN’s late slot.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-syracuse-at-georgia-tech">Syracuse at Georgia Tech</h2>



Date/Time: Oct. 25, Noon ET Channel: ESPN Viewers: 1.27 million 



Rounding out the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 9, <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/jackets-online/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Georgia Tech</a> stayed undefeated with a resounding victory over <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/syracuse-orange/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Syracuse</a>. <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/haynes-king-47875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Haynes King</a> had five total touchdowns on the day – three passing and two rushing – to lead the charge and keep the Yellow Jackets atop the ACC standings.



ABC remains the biggest TV ratings winner of the 2025 college football season as it once again held the top three games of Week 9. As November quickly approaches, the magnitude of the games will get even bigger with conference championship races heating up.

College Football TV Ratings: Top 10 most-watched games of Week 9

On3 Football

team image

The Main Board

Football

Basketball

Women's Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Teams

Fan Sites

Forums

Shows

team-link

College Football News

College Football Player Rankings

College Football Rankings

College Football Playoff

College Basketball News

Women's Sports

College

NIL News

NIL Valuation

NIL Deals

NIL Deal Tracker

Sports Business

Transfer Portal News

NCAA Transfer Portal News

NCAA Transfer Portal

Transfer Portal Rankings

Transfer Portal Team Rankings

Transfer Portal

NCAA Transfer Portal Home

Football Recruiting

Basketball Recruiting

Database

Team Rankings

Player Rankings

Industry Comparison

Commitments

Recruiting Prediction Machine

Recruiting

High School News

Schools

High School Search

Rankings

High School Rankings

Scores

High School Scores

High School

NFL Draft

NFL Draft News

Draft By Stars

College Draft History

College Draft Totals

NBA Draft

NBA Draft News

Draft

NASCAR

Culture

Sports Betting

About

On3 App

Advertise

Press

Contact

Alabama

Arizona State

Arizona

Arkansas

Auburn

Baylor

Boston College

California

Removed

Clemson

Colorado

Duke

Florida

Florida State

Georgia

Georgia Tech

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Iowa State

Kansas

Kansas State

Kentucky

Lettermen Row

Lettermen Lounge

Louisville

Maryland

Miami

Michigan State

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi State

Missouri

NC State

Nebraska

North Carolina

Northwestern

Notre Dame

Ohio State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Ole Miss

Oregon

Oregon State

Penn State

Pittsburgh

Purdue

Rutgers

South Carolina

Stanford

Syracuse

Tennessee

Texas A&M

Texas

Texas Tech

UCLA

Utah

Vanderbilt

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Washington

Washington State

West Virginia

Wisconsin

BamaOnLine

BOL Round Table

Inside Texas

IT Members Only

DawgsHQ

Dawg Walk

Scoop Duck

Recruiting & Sports

AuburnSports

The Corner

WeAreSC

GarryP's Trojan Huddle

The Wolverine

The Fort

The Lions Den

The Wolfpacker

The Wolves’ Den

GatorsOnline

Swamp Talk

Alabama A&M

Alabama State

Albany

Alcorn State

Abilene Christian

Appalachian State

Akron

Army

Austin Peay

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Arkansas-Little Rock

Arkansas State

Air Force

Ball State

American

Wofford

Winthrop

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Wisconsin-Green Bay

Wichita State

Western Carolina

Volleyball

Gymnastics

Men's Lacrosse

Women's Lacrosse

Men's Soccer

Women's Soccer

Women's Track

Men's Golf

Women's Golf

Men's Hockey

Women's Hockey

Men's Swimming

Women's Swimming

Wrestling

Men's Tennis

Women's Tennis

Annual $1

Annual Premium

Annual $1 

Monthly

Annual

Unlimited Access to This and All Articles.

Article (On3 Plus Rivals)

Forum (On3 Plus Rivals)

Intro

Join

College scoop, experts, and community - all in one.

Winback

College Football TV Ratings: Top 10 most-watched games of Week 9

OSU hires OC

Instant Impact

Coach K

Jordan Seaton

Dabo Swinney