The 10 most-watched college football games of the 2022 season

On3 imageby:Griffin McVeigh•12/07/22•

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Just one regular season game remains in college football, with Army–Navy set to take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia this season. All other FBS programs have turned their attention to recruiting, the NCAA transfer portal, and upcoming bowl games.

Reflecting on the 2022 season, a top 10 list of the most-watched games has been released. Traditional programs flow throughout, with some of the year’s most exciting matchups featuring.

  1. Michigan–Ohio State (FOX) 17.1 million
  2. Tennessee–Georgia (CBS) 13.1 million
  3. Alabama-Tennessee (CBS) 11.6 million
  4. LSU-Georgia (SEC Championship) (CBS) 10.9 million
  5. Purdue-Michigan (Big Ten Championship) (FOX) 10.7 million
  6. Alabama-Texas (FOX) 10.6 million
  7. Notre Dame-Ohio State (ABC) 10.5 million
  8. Kansas State–TCU (Big 12 Championship) 9.4 million
  9. Alabama-Ole Miss (CBS) 8.7 million
  10. Ohio State-Penn State (FOX) 8.3 million

College Football Playoff teams dominate top 10 list

Of the top 10 games, seven involved a team in this year’s College Football Playoff. Ohio State led the way of the bunch, being included in the list three times.

To no surprise, Michigan-Ohio State came in at No. 1 and by a large margin. Even if the two teams were unranked and not competing at a high level, The Game would find itself at the top of the TV rankings. But this year’s matchup was different.

Both were inside the top three of the CFP rankings with multiple storylines at stake. Michigan wound up winners, breaking another drought in the rivalry by getting a win at Ohio Stadium. Two consecutive wins for the Wolverines have them flying high.

Elsewhere in the CFP, TCU makes the list due to an exciting Big 12 Championship game against Kansas State. As for Georgia, two of their games rank inside the top five, with both being beatdowns in favor of the Bulldogs.

3:30 p.m. ET CBS kickoff remains king

More times than not, the 3:30 p.m. ET window in college football is dominated by the SEC on CBS. One of the more iconic broadcasts in sports, the network once again had a fantastic season, with four games being included in the top 10.

Two are in the top three, with Tennessee being the common denominator. Being undefeated going into matchups against both Alabama and Georgia, the Vols were easily the story of the SEC this year due to the rise of the program under Josh Heupel.

CBS was able to cash out in a big way, having 24.7 million people watch the two games.

FOX and Big Noon Kickoff was not too far behind, having three games featured. If you include the Big Ten Championship, which was in prime time on Saturday, FOX is right up there with CBS as well.