What a week for college football fans—ESPN’s coverage on ABC pulled in millions, with Alabama’s razor-thin win over South Carolina taking the spotlight. The Crimson Tide edged out the Gamecocks 29-22 in Columbia, notching their seventh straight victory and drawing a whopping 7.8 million viewers. At its peak? 10.3 million. That’s some serious attention, making it the day’s most-watched game by far.
Other games weren’t exactly ignored either. Ole Miss clashed with Oklahoma, Texas A&M steamrolled LSU, and Vanderbilt had a nail-biter with Mizzou. Each matchup managed to pull in some impressive numbers. Week 10’s on the horizon, and honestly, it’s shaping up to be just as wild.
Alabama vs. South Carolina: A Game to Remember
This one was a rollercoaster. Alabama’s 29-22 win over South Carolina wasn’t just another notch in their belt; it was a tense, dramatic fight that kept 7.8 million people glued to their screens. The peak? 10.3 million tuning in at once. That’s a lot of eyes for a regular season game.
Key Moments
A handful of moments really defined this matchup:
- Alabama’s Offensive Prowess: The Tide’s offense was sharp, pulling off the big plays when it mattered most.
- South Carolina’s Tenacity: The Gamecocks refused to back down, pushing Alabama right up to the end.
- High Viewership: With over 10 million at its peak, it’s clear folks couldn’t look away.
Other Notable Matchups
Alabama-South Carolina might’ve been the main event, but there was plenty more to talk about. Several other games had fans tuning in by the millions.
Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma: A Battle of Titans
The noon slot on ABC brought Ole Miss and Oklahoma head-to-head. Ole Miss pulled off a 34-26 win, and 6.6 million viewers were along for the ride. At its busiest, the game hit 9.6 million. Not bad for a Saturday afternoon.
Texas A&M vs. LSU: A Commanding Performance
Texas A&M didn’t mess around in the nightcap, handing LSU a 49-25 loss. This one drew 6.8 million viewers, with a peak at 7.9 million. The Aggies looked locked in from start to finish.
Vanderbilt vs. Mizzou: A Close Contest
Vandy and Mizzou kept things tight, with the Commodores squeaking by 17-10 on ESPN. The matchup brought in 3.1 million viewers and peaked at 4.2 million. Not the biggest draw of the day, but still a gritty, competitive game.
Looking Ahead to Week 10
Week 10’s almost here, and, honestly, there’s a lot to be excited about. A few matchups look especially juicy.
Vanderbilt’s Playoff Push
Vanderbilt hits the road to face Texas in the noon ET window. This is a huge one for the Commodores if they want to keep their playoff dreams alive.
The Cocktail Party: Georgia vs. Florida
Georgia and Florida meet in Jacksonville for their annual Cocktail Party, set for the usual 3:30 p.m. ET slot. It’s the last time this rivalry game will be played in Jacksonville until 2028, which feels kind of wild.
Primetime Showdown: Tennessee vs. Oklahoma
Saturday night’s primetime slot has Tennessee hosting Oklahoma, kicking off at 7:30 ET. This one’s probably going to pull in a huge audience—both teams have a lot on the line, and fans know it.
Conclusion
Week 9 of college football really showed why people love this sport. Alabama vs. South Carolina pulled in the biggest audience, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why.
Fans got a bunch of tense, edge-of-your-seat games that made it tough to look away. And with Week 10 on the horizon, there’s this buzz in the air—like anything could happen.
If you want to dig deeper or just stay updated, check out the full article on Saturday Down South.
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