ABC remains the big TV ratings winner this college football season. The network scored the three most-watched games of Week 7.
ABC’s SEC tripleheader led the way, with the Red River Rivalry emerging as the most-watched game on the slate. Texas’ win over Oklahoma drew nearly 9 million viewers, which also makes it one of the 10 most-watched games of the 2025 season so far.
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On3 obtained Nielsen Big Data + Panel ratings data for the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 7. Here is the full breakdown of the week’s college football TV ratings.
Note: SEC Network, ACC Network and CBS Sports Network do not pay for Nielsen to measure viewership. More data will be added as necessary.
Texas vs. Oklahoma
Date/Time: Oct. 11, 3:30 p.m. ETNetwork: ABCViewers: 8.7 million
The Red River Rivalry delivered for ABC, becoming the most-watched game of Week 7. An average of 8.7 million people tuned in as Arch Manning and Texas took down John Mateer and Texas at the Cotton Bowl.
Alabama at Missouri
Date/Time: Oct. 11, Noon ETNetwork: ABCViewers: 7.0 million
One of the intriguing SEC matchups in Week 7 became a close matchup in CoMo. Despite a late surge from Missouri, Alabama extended its winning streak to five games with a 27-24 victory over the Tigers in front of 7 million viewers on ABC.
Georgia at Auburn
Date/Time: Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m. ETNetwork: ABCViewers: 6.7 million
The third leg of ABC’s tripleheader brought in 6.7 million viewers to give the network the top three spots in Week 7. Georgia and Auburn renewed the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry game, which saw the Bulldogs pull off a 20-10 victory over the Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Ohio State at Illinois
Date/Time: Oct. 11, Noon ETNetwork: FOXViewers: 5.9 million
Ohio State didn’t leave any room for doubt in a Week 7 victory at Illinois to maintain the Illibuck trophy. The Buckeyes cruised to the 34-16 victory in front of 5.9 million viewers, marking FOX’s biggest game of the day.
Indiana at Oregon
Date/Time: Oct. 11, 3:30 p.m. ETNetwork: CBSViewers: 5.6 million
A Top-10 matchup in Eugene became the game of the day as Indiana and Oregon went back and forth. The Hoosiers made quite a statement as they took down the Ducks in a game which averaged 5.6 million viewers to become CBS’ most-watched game of the 2025 season.
Michigan at USC
Date/Time: Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m. ETNetwork: NBCViewers: 4.3 million
NBC’s primetime game saw a matchup between Michigan and USC that had some buildup from the two head coaches. The Trojans’ offense shined en route to the 31-13 win, taking momentum back ahead of this week’s game at Notre Dame.
Florida at Texas A&M
Date/Time: Oct. 11, 7 p.m. ETNetwork: ESPNViewers: 2.6 million
A primetime SEC matchup between Florida and Texas A&M had the highest viewership on ESPN’s main channel in Week 7. The Aggies and Gators ended the first quarter tied 14-14, but Mike Elko’s group pulled away to win 34-17 and improve to 6-0 on the year.
Pitt at Florida State
Date/Time: Oct. 11, 12 p.m. ETNetwork: ESPNViewers: 2.1 million
After starting the year 3-0, Florida State has now lost three straight after dropping last week’s game against Pitt, 34-31. The game drew 2.1 million viewers on ESPN in the Noon ET window.
Iowa State at Colorado
Date/Time: Oct. 11, 3:30 p.m. ETNetwork: ESPNViewers: 1.4 million
Colorado got its first Big 12 win of the season in Week 7, taking down No. 22 Iowa State at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes improve to 3-4 on the year heading into another ranked matchup in Salt Lake City against Utah.
Arizona State at Utah
Date/Time: Oct. 11, 10:30 p.m. ETNetwork: ESPNViewers: 1.3 million
Without Sam Leavitt, Arizona State struggled against Utah, which got the 42-10 victory in the late-night slot on ESPN. Still, 1.3 million people tuned in for the matchup to round out the Top 10 most-watched games of Week 7, per available data.
As a whole, college football’s TV ratings continue to surge through the 2025 season with conference play in full swing. ABC has been the biggest beneficiary, continuing a trend that began last year when the SEC’s media rights deal took effect.
