Record-Breaking Viewership for Texas vs Ohio State

Texas vs Ohio State Creates History in Week 1

The college football world witnessed history when No. 1 Texas clashed with No. 3 Ohio State in Week 1. The game attracted 16.62 million viewers on average, making it the most-watched Week 1 college football game ever across all networks.

What makes this even more remarkable is the peak audience of 18.6 million viewers, recorded between 3:00–3:15 p.m. ET. This incredible surge of fans made the showdown the third-most-watched regular-season college football game ever on FOX.

Pregame Shows Also Set New Benchmarks

It was not just the main game that made headlines. Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” brought in 3.8 million viewers, marking its best performance outside of the legendary Ohio State–Michigan rivalry.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s “College GameDay” broadcasted live from Columbus, where fans witnessed the final appearance of analyst Lee Corso. His last episode drew 3.5 million average viewers, while his famous headgear pick segment peaked at 5.1 million viewers. This emotional farewell added another layer of history to the day.

Why Did Fans Tune In So Massively?

Several factors contributed to this historic viewership:

• A top-ranked matchup between powerhouse programs Texas and Ohio State.
• The hype of Week 1 when fans eagerly await football’s return.
• The farewell of beloved analyst Lee Corso, making the pregame show extra special.
• FOX’s strong prime broadcast window, which attracted a nationwide audience.

The Bigger Picture

This record-breaking performance proves that college football’s popularity continues to grow. For advertisers, broadcasters, and fans, these numbers highlight the sport’s massive cultural impact in the United States.

With Texas and Ohio State expected to remain strong playoff contenders, this game might just be a preview of bigger battles ahead.