Texas-Ohio State Draws Record TV Audience
The Longhorns' comeback win over the Buckeyes attracted 14 million viewers, peaking at 16.3 million. It was ESPN's most-watched regular-season college football game since 2016 and the top primetime regular-season game on any network since 2012. Arch Manning led Texas from a 23-3 deficit to a 24-23 victory.
The matchup marked a significant ratings milestone for ESPN, surpassing any regular-season college football broadcast the network had aired in nearly a decade. The previous high-water mark came in November 2016, when Ohio State edged Michigan in double overtime. Saturday's game also represented the strongest primetime regular-season draw across all networks in over a decade.
Texas engineered its comeback entirely in the fourth quarter, scoring three touchdowns in the final 14-plus minutes. Arch Manning connected with Ryan Wingo for a three-yard score, while Hollywood Smothers punched in two one-yard touchdowns, the last arriving with 25 seconds left. The win vaulted Texas from No. 4 to No. 1, while Ohio State dropped from the top spot to No. 6. Both teams could meet again in the College Football Playoff.
This record viewership underscores college football's continued power as a live television draw, even as broader viewing habits fragment across streaming platforms. The game's audience may signal that marquee matchups between traditional powers still command rare, appointment-viewing status, which could influence future scheduling decisions and broadcast negotiations. Fans, advertisers, and conference executives alike may take note of the sustained interest in high-stakes regular-season games, potentially shaping how networks value and promote similar contests going forward.