The 2025 college football season got off to a strong start as TV ratings surged. Viewership increased across the country ahead of an anticipated campaign.
It started out strong with record Week 1 ratings, which saw four games top 10 million viewers. The biggest was Texas at Ohio State, which drew 16.6 million viewers on FOX. As of Week 5, six games hit the 10-million viewer mark.
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Using Big Data + Panel ratings data compiled from press releases and network PR, On3 is tracking the Top 10 most-watched games of the 2025 season. Here is where things stand after Week 5.
Note: SEC Network, ACC Network and CBS Sports Network do not pay for Nielsen to measure viewership.
Texas at Ohio State
Date/Time: Aug. 30, Noon ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 16.6 million
One of the most anticipated games of the 2025 season lived up to the billing as Ohio State took down Texas in a nail-biter in Columbus. With 16.6 million people tuning in, it became the most-watched Week 1 game in history and FOX’s third most-watched game on record.
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Georgia at Tennessee
© Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
Date/Time: Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 12.6 million
Georgia and Tennessee played earlier than usual this year, but the matchup didn’t disappoint. The Bulldogs erased an early deficit and eventually forced overtime, which is when Josh McCray punched in the game-winning touchdown. It also became ABC’s most-watched game through the month of September with 12.6 million viewers.
Notre Dame at Miami
Date/Time: Aug. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.8 million
A Sunday night primetime game on Labor Day weekend put two storied rivals against each other as Notre Dame headed to Miami. The Fighting Irish mounted a late charge after the Hurricanes took an early lead, but it wasn’t enough as Mario Cristobal’s group picked up a marquee victory in Week 1. It was part of a loaded slate of games with 10.8 million people watching.
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Alabama at Florida State
Date/Time: Aug. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.7 million
After Tommy Castellanos’ preseason comments, Alabama and Florida State became an even more high-profile matchup in Week 1. The Seminoles quarterback stood on business, though, as FSU pulled off the upset at Doak Campbell Stadium in front of 10.7 million viewers.
LSU at Clemson
© Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Date/Time: Aug. 30, 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.45 million
In the preseason, LSU and Clemson both generated buzz as potential national title contenders, which meant the Week 1 showdown would be a key game for both teams. Brian Kelly’s group eventually held strong to take down Clemson and get an important season-opening win in front of 10.45 million people in primetime.
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Alabama at Georgia
Date/Time: Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.42 million
Part of a jam-packed primetime window in Week 5, Alabama and Georgia squared off at Samford Stadium in one of the biggest SEC matchups yet. The Bulldogs looked to avenge last year’s loss in a classic at Bryant-Denny Stadium, but the Crimson Tide held on to take down UGA once again in the most-watched game of Week 5.
Michigan at Oklahoma
Date/Time: Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 9.7 million
A battle of new quarterbacks also marked the return of Sherrone Moore to Norman. John Mateer showed out in a big way, though, leading Oklahoma to a win over Bryce Underwood and Michigan in the most-watched game of Week 2.
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Oklahoma vs. Texas
© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Date/Time: Oct. 11, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 8.7 million
The Red River Rivalry delivered for ABC, becoming the most-watched game of Week 7. An average of 8.7 million people tuned in as Arch Manning and Texas took down John Mateer and Texas at the Cotton Bowl.
Oregon at Penn State
Date/Time: Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 8.5 million (including Peacock)
The White Out game at Penn State saw a Top-10 showdown as Oregon made the trip to Happy Valley. The Ducks appeared to take control, but the Nittany Lions stormed back to force overtime before ultimately falling 30-24. NBC drew 7.7 million viewers for the matchup, according to Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel ratings, while the network announced it reached 8.5 million viewers including Peacock.
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Florida at LSU
Date/Time: Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 7.6 million
Another intriguing SEC matchup took place in Baton Rouge as Florida – looking to bounce back from an upset loss to USF – took on LSU. The Tigers forced five DJ Lagway interceptions in the game as they eventually came away with the 20-13 victory in Week 3.
More notable college football TV ratings
On3 will continue to track the most-watched college football games of the 2025 season as TV ratings continue to skyrocket. Through October, ABC remained the big winner with eight of the most-watched games through Week 7.
