College Football TV Ratings: Top 10 most-watched College Football Playoff, bowl games of 2023-24
In a year that saw TV viewership skyrocket, the College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six bowl games delivered more ratings victories.
There was plenty of conversation in the lead-up to New Year’s Day about the CFP rankings, and understandably so. But the Rose Bowl between No. 1 Michigan and No. 4 Alabama became the most-watched college football game since 2018, according to Sports Media Watch, as nearly 28 million fans tuned in to watch a thrilling finish between the two teams.
On the other side, though, the Sugar Bowl — which kicked off at 9 p.m. ET — was the least-watched CFP semifinal to ever take place on New Year’s Day. Still, some of the biggest storylines got plenty of people tuning to some notable bowl games.
CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game — Michigan vs. Alabama
Channel: ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU
Date/Time: Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET
Viewers: 27.76 million
For just the second time in Rose Bowl history, the game went to overtime, and Michigan came away with the 27-20 victory over Alabama. Viewership for the CFP semifinal topped that of “The Game” between Michigan and Ohio State to end the regular season, making it the most-watched game of the year ahead of the national championship.
CFP Semifinal at the Sugar Bowl — Washington vs. Texas
Channel: ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU
Date/Time: Jan. 1, 9 p.m. ET
Viewers: 18.77 million
Two high-powered offenses squared off in New Orleans, and although it came down to the final play, Washington held on to defeat Texas and head to the national championship. The late start time might have played a role in the low viewership — comparatively speaking, of course — but fans who stayed up late saw a thrilling finish at the Caesars Superdome.
Orange Bowl — Georgia vs. Florida State
Channel: ESPN
Date/Time: Dec. 30, 4 p.m. ET
Viewers: 10.39 million
The game between the last two teams out of the CFP field turned in the third-highest viewership of bowl season. Georgia flew past Florida State en route to a blowout victory, but still turned in the best TV ratings for a non-College Football Playoff version of the Orange Bowl since 2017 despite the lopsided score.
Cotton Bowl — Missouri vs. Ohio State
Channel: ESPN
Date/Time: Dec. 29, 8 p.m. ET
Viewers: 9.72 million
Missouri became one of the stories of college football this year, and the matchup with Ohio State presented an opportunity for an 11-win season as Eli Drinkwitz turned the program around. The Tigers pulled it off in front of nearly 10 million viewers, and suddenly, Drinkwitz has some momentum heading into 2024.
Peach Bowl — Ole Miss vs. Penn State
Channel: ESPN
Date/Time: Dec. 30, noon ET
Viewers: 7.77 million
Ole Miss accomplished something it never had before by completing an 11-win season with a Peach Bowl victory over Penn State. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels put together a special season, and with the College Football Playoff set to expand, could be in prime position next year with so many transfer portal victories this year.
Citrus Bowl — Tennessee vs. Iowa
Channel: ABC
Date/Time: Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET
Viewers: 6.80 million
The Citrus Bowl had the makings for TV ratings gold when Tennessee announced one of college football’s young stars would start. Nico Iamaleava got the first reps for the Vols against Iowa, and he put on a show with four total touchdowns en route to the 35-0 victory. That made the game the most-watched of the non-New Year’s Six bowls, with nearly 7 million people on average tuning in to ABC.
Fiesta Bowl — Oregon vs. Liberty
Channel: ESPN, ESPNU
Date/Time: Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET
Viewers: 4.67 million
The Bo Nix era at Oregon officially came to an end at the Fiesta Bowl as the Ducks cruised to a 45-6 victory over Liberty and gave Nix a fitting farewell. He threw for five touchdowns in his final college football game, and Oregon will now prepare for its next chapter in the Big Ten with two high-profile transfers coming in at quarterback.
ReliaQuest Bowl — LSU vs. Wisconsin
Channel: ESPN2
Date/Time: Jan. 1, noon ET
Viewers: 4.61 million
Without Jayden Daniels, LSU found itself clawing back from a deficit against Wisconsin with Garrett Nussmeier under center. He got the Tigers back in it and, eventually, led them to a 35-31 victory behind 395 yards and three touchdowns in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The game brought in more than double the viewership from last year’s game with 4.61 million people tuned to ESPN2.
Pop-Tarts Bowl — Kansas State vs. NC State
Channel: ESPN
Date/Time: Dec. 28, 5:45 p.m. ET
Viewers: 4.31 million
The Pop-Tarts Bowl took over social media, and more than 4.3 million people watched the edible mascot get eaten afterward on ESPN. Of course, there was also a football game that took place, and Kansas State defeated NC State to take part in the first-ever postgame ritual.
Alamo Bowl — Arizona vs. Oklahoma
Channel: ESPN
Date/Time: Dec. 28, 9:15 p.m. ET
Viewers: 3.93 million
The Alamo Bowl traditionally delivers, and this year was no different as Arizona stormed back to defeat a shorthanded Oklahoma team. But much like the Citrus Bowl, Sooners fans got a glimpse into the future with Jackson Arnold starting at quarterback. It was an up-and-down performance, but it was one of the storylines — along with Noah Fifita’s showing — that drew fans to the late-night showdown.
Compared to 2022-23 Bowl Season and College Football Playoff, the TV ratings were a mixed bag. Anchored by the Rose Bowl, though, this year’s CFP national championship presents an interesting matchup with a 7:30 p.m. ET start time.