It started strong with record ratings in Week 1, in which four games surpassed 10 million viewers. the biggest was Texas in Ohio Statewhich attracted 16.6 million viewers on FOX. As of Week 5, six games reached the 10 million viewers mark.
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Using Big Data + Panel ratings data collected from press releases and network PR, On3 is tracking the 10 most-watched games of the 2025 season. Here’s where things stand after Week 5.
Note: SEC Network, ACC Network and CBS Sports Network do not pay Nielsen to measure viewership.
Texas in the state of Ohio
Date/Time: August 30, noon ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 16.6 million
One of the most anticipated games of the 2025 season lived up to expectations when Ohio State defeated Texas in a thrilling game in Columbus. With 16.6 million people tuning in, it became the most-watched Week 1 game in history and the third-most-watched game in FOX history.
Georgia in Tennessee
Date/Time: September 13, 3:30 pm ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 12.6 million
Georgia and Tennessee He played earlier than usual this year, but the matchup did not disappoint. The Bulldogs erased an early deficit and eventually forced overtime, which is when Josh McCray scored the game-winning touchdown. It also became ABC’s most-watched game for the month of September with 12.6 million viewers.
Notre Dame in Miami
Date/Time: August 31, 7:30 pm ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.8 million
A Sunday night primetime game over Labor Day weekend pitted two historic rivals. 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 The group scored a big win in Week 1. It was part of a loaded slate of games with 10.8 million people watching.
Alabama in the state of Florida
Date/Time: August 30, 3:30 pm ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.7 million
After Tommy Castellanos preseason comments, Alabama and State of Florida became an even more high-profile matchup in Week 1. The Seminoles quarterback held his own, however, as FSU pulled off the upset at Doak Campbell Stadium in front of 10.7 million viewers.
LSU at Clemson
Date/Time: August 30, 8 pm Eastern Time
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.45 million
In the preseason, L.S.U. and Clemson Both generated buzz as potential national title contenders, which meant the Week 1 matchup would be a key game for both teams. Brian Kelly The group ultimately held strong to defeat Clemson and earn an important victory in the season opener in front of 10.45 million people in prime time.
Alabama in Georgia
Date/Time: September 27, 7:30 pm ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.42 million
Part of a packed primetime window in Week 5, Alabama and Georgia They faced off at Samford Stadium in one of the SEC’s biggest 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 defeat UGA once again in the most-watched game of Week 5.
Michigan in Oklahoma
Date/Time: September 6, 7:30 pm ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 9.7 million
A battle of new quarterbacks also marked the return of Sherron Moore to Norman. John Mateer However, he showed himself in a big way, leading Oklahoma to a victory over Bryce Underwood and Michigan in the most watched game of Week 2.
Oregon at Penn State
Date/Time: September 27, 7:30 pm ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 8.5 million (including Peacock)
He white out game in State of Pennsylvania saw a top 10 showdown as Oregon He made the trip to Happy Valley. The Ducks seemed to take control, but the Nittany Lions came back to force overtime before ultimately falling 30-24. NBC drew 7.7 million viewers for the showdown, according to Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel ratings, while the network announced it reached 8.5 million viewers, including Peacock.
Florida at LSU
Date/Time: September 13, 7:30 pm ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 7.6 million
Another intriguing SEC matchup took place in Baton Rouge when Florida – looking to recover from an unexpected defeat to FSU – assumed L.S.U.. The Tigers forced five DJ Lagway interceptions in the game and finally achieved the 20-13 victory in Week 3.
LSU at Ole Miss
Date/Time: September 27, 3:30 pm ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 6.7 million
Another important SEC matchup, L.S.U. and old miss faced each other as undefeated teams in Week 5. However, the Tigers’ running game stalled and the Rebels were able to capitalize by earning an important home win as ABC continued to garner big television ratings to begin the 2025 college football season.
- Florida in Miami (September 20, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 6.5 million
- Vanderbilt in Alabama (October 4, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 6.4 million
- Texas A&M in Notre Dame (September 13, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC) – 6.2 million
- TCU in North Carolina (September 1, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN) – 6.1 million
- Chestnut in Oklahoma (September 20, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 6.1 million
- Miami in State of Florida (October 4, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 6 million
On3 will continue to track the most-watched college football games of the 2025 season as TV ratings continue to skyrocket. Through September, the networks were off to a good start and conferences were ramping up across the country.