A recent college football encounter featuring the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes captivated a substantial audience, with ESPN reporting impressive viewership figures. The Longhorns' remarkable fourth-quarter surge, where they overcame a significant deficit to secure a 24-23 victory, became the most-watched regular-season game on ABC in ten years. This article explores the details of this widely viewed match, comparing its audience numbers with previous high-profile games and anticipating future matchups that are expected to draw similar attention.
The highly anticipated contest between Texas and Ohio State, which saw the Longhorns orchestrate a 21-point comeback in the final quarter, attracted an average of 14 million viewers. This made it ABC's most-watched regular-season college football game in a decade, since a 2016 rivalry game between Ohio State and Michigan drew over 16.8 million viewers. The thrilling finish, where Texas converted three consecutive touchdown drives after trailing 23-3, clearly resonated with fans nationwide.
However, despite its impressive performance, the 2026 Texas-Ohio State game's viewership did not surpass that of their 2025 encounter. The previous year's clash, played in Week 1 and broadcast on Fox, commanded an even larger audience of 16.6 million. That particular game marked a significant milestone, being Arch Manning's debut as Texas' primary starting quarterback, entering the season as a Heisman Trophy frontrunner after a part-time role in 2024.
The 2025 season's most-watched regular-season game was, predictably, Ohio State's victory over Michigan, which captivated 18.4 million viewers. This trend underscores the consistent appeal of these storied rivalries and the top-tier matchups in college football. Furthermore, ABC's most-watched regular-season game in 2025 was Texas' Black Friday triumph over Texas A&M, drawing just over 13 million viewers, a game that dashed the Aggies' hopes of an SEC championship appearance.
Looking ahead, ESPN and ABC are poised to potentially replicate the high viewership of the Texas-Ohio State game in Week 3 of the current season. The primetime slot on ABC will feature a compelling matchup between No. 7 LSU and No. 8 Ole Miss. This game holds added intrigue as former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin makes his return to Oxford following his tumultuous departure before last season's College Football Playoff, adding a layer of narrative excitement to an already anticipated contest.
The consistent high viewership for these collegiate football games, particularly those involving top-ranked teams and significant narratives, highlights the sport's enduring popularity and its ability to draw massive audiences. The dramatic comeback victory by Texas against Ohio State stands as a testament to the unpredictable excitement that college football offers, ensuring continued engagement from millions of fans across the nation.
