Year in and year out, college football gives us memories and moments that will last a lifetime. The 2024-25 regular season was no different. It was filled with history-making moments and even saw its fair share of major upsets. It’s not surprising to hear that a huge number of fans turned out to watch college football’s biggest games this fall.
As expected, the SEC and Big Ten picked up some of college football’s most viewers watching their games. This year was the first for the SEC’s big media rights package with Disney, which made ABC and ESPN the go-to network for that conference’s football games. Eight of the 10 most-watched games came from the SEC in 2024. So, who were the top five most-watched college football teams in 2024?
Top Five College Football Teams That Were Most Watched In 2024
The game between Georgia and Texas was the most-watched game of the season, while Ohio State’s surprising loss against arch-rival Michigan was the second-most popular game this past college football season. So, who were the top five teams to watch in 2024?
5. Tennessee Volunteers: 5.4 million viewers
The Tennessee Volunteers had quite the 2024 season. They emerged as a college football playoff contender early in the year behind one of the nation’s best defenses. A signature victory at home against Alabama helped to show fans this was truly the real deal.
That game, plus the Volunteers losing effort against Georgia saw the program bring in more than 10 million viewers each time. Despite not having a great program in recent memory, Tennessee turned the page and fans are starting to catch on.
4. Texas Longhorns: 6.4 million viewers
The Texas Longhorns had another one of the most-viewed college football teams in the 2024 season… In other words, the sky is blue. Unsurprisingly, the Longhorns are a ratings bonanza with the nation’s most passionate fan base. That interest only increased as the program entered the SEC in 2024.
The losses to Georgia aroused the most interest for fans. The interstate game between Texas and Texas Tech also did some good numbers, as they clinched a place in the SEC Championship game.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide: 6.6 million viewers
Despite not having the best season by its program’s standards, the Alabama Crimson Tide continued to be one of the most-watched football teams in the college landscape. This continued to show there’s always interest in Alabama, but even more so as Kalen Deboer stepped in to replace Nick Saban.
Alabama’s most-watched game was the loss it suffered to the Tennessee Volunteers. However, the program’s dominant victory over LSU was another game that saw plenty of eyes on it.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes: 6.8 million viewers
The Ohio State Buckeyes, who won the National Championship in January, continued to be one of the top college programs to watch. Two of the Buckeyes’ most-watched games were also their biggest losses, as the Buckeyes fell to the Oregon Ducks and Michigan Wolverines.
Around 9.6 million people watched Ohio State fall by a point on the road against the Ducks, while the game against Michigan saw a number of about 12.3 million viewers.
1. Georgia Bulldogs: 8.6 million viewers
There is a big distance between the Georgia Bulldogs and the competition regarding TV interest. Two of their most important games came against the same opponent, the Texas Longhorns.
KEEP READING: What Makes ‘The Game’ the Most Intense Rivalry in College Football History?
Georgia’s 30-15 upset against the Longhorns drew 13.19 million viewers on the main ABC Network, and the rematch for the SEC Championship brought in 16.6 million people on Championship Saturday.
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