{"id":244596,"date":"2025-10-22T22:30:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T22:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/244596\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T22:30:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T22:30:10","slug":"college-football-tv-ratings-top-10-most-watched-games-of-week-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/244596\/","title":{"rendered":"College Football TV Ratings: Top 10 most-watched games of Week 8"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As October begins to wind down, college football\u2019s TV ratings remain strong. ABC was once again a big winner in Week 8, including one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/news\/college-football-tv-ratings-tracking-top-10-most-watched-games-2025-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Top 10 most-watched games of the season<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>ABC won the three main windows \u2013 Noon ET, 3:30 p.m. ET and primetime \u2013 as the network holds strong atop the list. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/ole-miss-rebels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Ole Miss<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/georgia-bulldogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Georgia<\/a> led that charge in a game that saw both offenses on full display before the Bulldogs came away with a crucial SEC victory. That was one of seven college football games to appear in Nielsen\u2019s Top 25 live sports telecasts of the week, according to Nielsen data.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/nil\/newsletter\/signup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">SUBSCRIBE to the On3 NIL and Sports Business Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n<p>On3 compiled Nielsen Big Data + Panel ratings data from network PR for the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 8. Here is the full breakdown of the week\u2019s college football TV ratings. Data was delayed due to the AWS outage over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Note: SEC Network, ACC Network and CBS Sports Network do not pay for Nielsen to measure viewership. More data will be added as necessary.<\/p>\n<p>Ole Miss at Georgia<\/p>\n<p>Date\/Time: Oct. 18, 3:30 p.m. ET<br \/>Channel: ABC<br \/>Viewers: 9.79 million<\/p>\n<p>The Week 8 slate saw a big-time matchup in Athens as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/ole-miss-rebels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Ole Miss<\/a>\u00a0took on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/georgia-bulldogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Georgia<\/a>. Both offenses were on full display before the Bulldogs came away with the 43-35 victory in what became the most-watched game of the week with 9.8 million viewers.<\/p>\n<p>Tennessee at Alabama<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RyanWilliamsVols-1-1024x538.png\" alt=\"Alabama WR Ryan Williams vs. Tennessee (David Leong \/ Imagn Images)\" class=\"wp-image-3842816\"  \/>Alabama WR Ryan Williams vs. Tennessee (David Leong \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n<p>Date\/Time: Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. ET<br \/>Channel: ABC<br \/>Viewers: 8.01 million<\/p>\n<p>The Third Saturday in October delivered again as ABC won primetime. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/alabama-crimson-tide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Alabama<\/a> not only took down rival <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/tennessee-volunteers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Tennessee<\/a> and fired up the celebratory cigars, but also picked up its fourth straight ranked victory as the Crimson Tide extended the winning streak to six games.<\/p>\n<p>LSU at Vanderbilt<\/p>\n<p>Date\/Time: Oct. 18, Noon ET<br \/>Channel: ABC<br \/>Viewers: 5.94 million<\/p>\n<p>Another big-time SEC showdown helped lead off the Week 8 slate of games as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/lsu-tigers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">LSU<\/a> headed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/the-dore-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Vanderbilt<\/a> to take on the red-hot Commodores. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/diego-pavia-36926\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Diego Pavia<\/a> and Co. got another huge win, taking down the Tigers at FirstBank Stadium as they stuck to their winning ways.<\/p>\n<p>USC at Notre Dame<\/p>\n<p>Date\/Time: Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. ET<br \/>Channel: NBC<br \/>Viewers: 4.6 million<\/p>\n<p>The Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh returned to South Bend as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/notre-dame-fighting-irish\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Notre Dame<\/a> took on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/usc-trojans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">USC<\/a> what\u2019s currently the last scheduled game of the rivalry. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/jeremiyah-love-150027\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Jeremiyah Love<\/a> stole the show for the Fighting Irish en route to a 34-24 victory over the Trojans, which extended the winning streak to five games.<\/p>\n<p>Washington at Michigan<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bryce-underwood_washington-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"Michigan QB Bryce Underwood vs. Washington\" class=\"wp-image-3855241\"  \/>\u00a9 Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Date\/Time: Oct. 18, Noon ET<br \/>Channel: FOX<br \/>Viewers: 4.32 million<\/p>\n<p>FOX\u2019s Big Noon Saturday returned to Ann Arbor for a battle between two of the Big Ten\u2019s top young quarterbacks. Ultimately, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/bryce-underwood-15949\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Bryce Underwood<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/michigan-wolverines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Michigan<\/a> defeated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/demond-williams-jr-34094\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Demond Williams<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/college\/washington-huskies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Washington<\/a> in front of 4.3 million viewers.<\/p>\n<p>Ohio State at Wisconsin<\/p>\n<p>Date\/Time: Oct. 18, 3:30 p.m. ET<br \/>Channel: CBS<br \/>Viewers: 4.0 million<\/p>\n<p>CBS\u2019 top game of Week 8 saw a dominating performance from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/ohio-state-buckeyes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Ohio State<\/a>, which shut out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/badger-blitz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Wisconsin<\/a> at Camp Randall Stadium. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/julian-sayin-68682\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Julian Sayin<\/a> threw for 393 yards and four touchdowns to lead the charge for the Buckeyes, who remain undefeated entering Week 9.<\/p>\n<p>Louisville at Miami<\/p>\n<p>Date\/Time: Oct. 17, 7 p.m. ET<br \/>Channel: ESPN<br \/>Viewers: 3.41 million<\/p>\n<p>The Friday night primetime slate saw two highly rated games, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/cardinal-sports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Louisville\u2019s<\/a> upset win over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/miami-hurricanes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Miami<\/a> leading the way for ESPN with 3.4 million viewers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/carson-beck-18711\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Carson Beck<\/a> struggled in the matchup, throwing four turnovers as the No. 2-ranked Hurricanes fell to the Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>Nebraska at Minnesota<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Matt-Rhule-pissed-off-at-himself-Nebraska-coaches-for-loss-against-Minnesota-1024x538.png\" alt=\"Oct 17, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule and Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck shake hands after the game at Huntington Bank Stadium.\" class=\"wp-image-3851287\"  \/>\u00a9 Matt Krohn-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Date\/Time: Oct. 17, 8 p.m. ET<br \/>Channel: FOX<br \/>Viewers: 2.66 million<\/p>\n<p>Also in the Friday night window, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/nebraska-cornhuskers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Nebraska<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/gophers-nation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Minnesota<\/a> squared off in the Twin Cities. The Golden Gophers put together quite a performance, taking down the Cornhuskers 24-6 in front of 2.7 million viewers on FOX.<\/p>\n<p>Texas at Kentucky<\/p>\n<p>Date\/Time: Oct. 18, 7 p.m. ET<br \/>Channel: ESPN<br \/>Viewers: 2.64 million<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/texas-longhorns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Texas<\/a> offense struggled mightily in the Week 8 matchup against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/kentucky-wildcats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Kentucky<\/a>, but the Longhorns still got the victory over the Wildcats in Lexington. An average of 2.64 million viewers tuned in for the game as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/arch-manning-7353\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Arch Manning<\/a> and Co. got the victory despite just 175 yards of offense.<\/p>\n<p>Texas Tech at Arizona State<\/p>\n<p>Date\/Time: Oct. 18, 4 p.m. ET<br \/>Channel: FOX<br \/>Viewers: 2.56 million<\/p>\n<p>Rounding out the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 8, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/red-raider-sports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Texas Tech<\/a> headed to Tempe without starting quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/behren-morton-9563\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Behren Morton<\/a> due to injury. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/asu-devils\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Arizona State<\/a> got <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/sam-leavitt-104361\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Sam Leavitt<\/a> back, though, and the Sun Devils pulled off the upset in a game that had big-time ramifications on the Big 12 race.<\/p>\n<p>As October begins to wind down, college football\u2019s TV ratings are still plenty strong with the final sprint toward conference championships on the way. For ABC, things show no signs of slowing down after getting off to a monster start to the year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As October begins to wind down, college football\u2019s TV ratings remain strong. ABC was once again a big&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":244597,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[399,398,396,397,99],"class_list":{"0":"post-244596","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-football","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-ncaa","10":"tag-ncaa-football","11":"tag-ncaafootball","12":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=244596"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244596\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/244597"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=244596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=244596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=244596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}