College Football TV Ratings: Tracking the most-watched games of the 2026 season

Last year, college football saw its TV ratings surge and looked to keep the trend going in 2026. On3 is tracking the most-watched games of the season, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel data compiled weekly.

Through the first three weeks, Texas’ thrilling comeback win over Ohio State emerged as the top game of the young college football season. It was the first game of the year to hit 10 million viewers, averaging nearly 14 million as part of the Week 2 slate.

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Here is a look at the Top 10 most-watched games of the 2026 season as of Week 3, which will be updated weekly. Additionally, a TV ratings tracker is below the Top 10 with viewership for every Nielsen-rated college football game of the year.

Note: SEC Network, ACC Network and CBS Sports Network do not pay for Nielsen to measure viewership.

1. Ohio State vs. Texas

Date/Time: Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. ET (Week 2)
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 13.99 million

The biggest game of Week 2 delivered for ABC. Texas’ thrilling comeback win over Ohio State became the most-watched game on the schedule with 14.0 million viewers, which was down from last year’s game, which brought 16.6 million on FOX.

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The Longhorns rallied from a 23-3 deficit entering the fourth quarter to get the 24-23 win over the then-top ranked Buckeyes. Arch Manning threw for a touchdown in that final frame while Hollywood Smothers ran in two scores, including the eventual game-winner.

2. LSU vs. Ole Miss

Date/Time: Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET (Week 3)
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 10.90 million

The top draw in Week 3 delivered as the most-watched game on the schedule. Ole Miss’ victory over LSU averaged 10.9 million viewers on ABC to rank as the second-most watched game of the year, according to data compiled by On3.

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The game was one of the most anticipated matchups of the year as Lane Kiffin made his return to Oxford for the first time since leaving Ole Miss last season. Trinidad Chambliss stole the show as he completed 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns in the air, and he ran in what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 6:14 to go in the fourth quarter.

3. Oklahoma vs. Michigan

Date/Time: Sept. 12, 12 p.m. ET (Week 2)
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 8.22 million

FOX’s Big Noon Saturday game saw one of the upsets in Week 2. Oklahoma’s offense struggled mightily against Michigan, and the Wolverines were able to capitalize and get the victory in the early window in front of more than 8 million viewers.

Michigan forced two Oklahoma turnovers, including a fourth-quarter interception of John Mateer that helped set up the go-ahead touchdown. The Sooners had one last chance in the final minute, but the drive stalled out as the Wolverines held on for the 17-10 upset win.

4. Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (at Lambeau Field)

Date/Time: Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET (Week 1)
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 7.42 million (8.1 million including Adobe Analytics/Peacock)

One of two Sunday night primetime games in Week 1, Wisconsin kept things close against Notre Dame through two quarters at Lambeau Field. The Fighting Irish pulled away after halftime, though, and got the 41-13 victory to start the season – and NBC scored the most-watched game of the weekend.

The game went directly against Ole Miss vs. Louisville, which took place in Nashville on ABC. Despite that, NBC won the weekend and also got 683,000 viewers via streaming, the network announced Thursday.

5. Alabama vs. Kentucky

Date/Time: Sept. 12, 3:30 p.m. ET (Week 2)
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 7.28 million

Early on, Kentucky looked like it had an upset on its mind against Alabama after the two teams traded pick-sixes. The Crimson Tide was able to right the ship after halftime, though, and come away with the 45-17 victory in Lexington.

Keelon Russell went 16-of-23 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown, along with three turnovers. Daniel Hill led the rushing attack in the effort with a game-high 104 yards and a touchdown.

6. Florida State vs. Alabama

Date/Time: Sept. 12, 5:15 p.m. ET (Week 3 – delayed due to weather)
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 7.01 million

Weather delays had a major impact on Florida State’s rematch against Alabama on Saturday. ABC was only able to air the first half as a result, but the partial game still brought in 7.01 million viewers before moving to ESPN2.

Keelon Russell had a monster game as he completed 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown as Alabama got its revenge against Florida State following last year’s upset.

7. Clemson vs. LSU

Date/Time: Sept. 5, 9:30 p.m. ET (Week 1 – delayed due to weather)
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 5.76 million

The headliner in Week 1, Clemson vs. LSU had to wait to kick off due to storms in the area. Still, an average of 5.8 million people tuned in to watch as the Tigers kicked off the Lane Kiffin Era with a resounding victory over Clemson in Death Valley.

Sam Leavitt was impressive in his debut after transferring from Arizona State. He threw for 230 yards and a touchdown in the air while taking 12 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the running game, as well.

8. Kentucky vs. Texas A&M

Date/Time: Sept. 19, 3:30 p.m. ET (Week 3)
Channel: ABC, ESPN
Viewers: 5.36 million

One of the biggest upsets of Week 3 came in College Station. That’s where Will Stein picked up a signature victory in Year 1 at Kentucky as the Wildcats defeated Texas A&M in the late-afternoon window as it aired on ABC during the Florida State-Alabama delay in addition to its slot on ESPN.

Kenny Minchey was efficient for UK, going 14-of-18 for 252 yards and two touchdowns to lead the charge. CJ Baxter also led the running game with 19 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

9. Washington State vs. Washington

Date/Time: Sept. 6, 3 p.m. ET (Week 1)
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 5.14 million (5.5 million including Adobe Analytics/Peacock)

The Apple Cup took place early this year as Washington State and Washington squared off in Week 1. It was a standalone game on NBC on Sunday afternoon and it became one of the top games of the weekend.

Washington got the victory in the rivalry affair thanks to a huge performance from Demond Williams. He threw for 268 yards and a touchdown while leading the Huskies with 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

10. North Carolina vs. TCU (in Dublin, Ireland)

Date/Time: Aug. 29, Noon ET (Week 0)
Network: ESPN
Viewers: 4.91 million

Following a rocky debut season, North Carolina picked up a signature win under Bill Belichick in Week 0. The Tar Heels rallied to take down TCU in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Ireland as part of the most-watched game of the week. An average of 4.9 million viewers tuned in for the matchup, ESPN announced, which is up from the 3.2 million who watched last year’s Dublin game.

North Carolina went down 10-3 in the first quarter before rallying for 12 unanswered points to take down TCU 15-10 and start Year 2 of the Belichick era in grand fashion. Billy Edwards Jr. went 16 of 28 for 232 yards in the effort and Jelani Thurman hauled in four catches for 94 yards to lead UNC.

College Football TV Ratings: Full 2026 viewership

In 2025, college football saw TV ratings increase 4% during the regular season and a 9% uptick in minutes consumed, counting the postseason. The College Football Playoff also saw ratings surge in the first year of Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel reporting method, as well. This season provides a chance for more of an apples-to-apples comparison.