Thursday, May 14, 2026

Texas-Oklahoma Gets 8.7M Viewers, Most-Watched CFB Game of Week 7

The Red River Rivalry was the most-watched college football game of Week 7 action, as 8.7 million people watched Texas defeat Oklahoma 23–6 on ABC.

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Red River Rivalry was the most-watched college football game of Week 7 action, as 8.7 million people watched Texas defeat Oklahoma 23–6 on ABC.

That marks the largest TV audience for a Texas-Oklahoma regular-season matchup since 2009.

The second meeting of the Longhorns and Sooners, squaring off as SEC members, beat out the Indiana-Oregon Big Ten clash on CBS, which also aired at 3:30 p.m. ET and averaged 5.6 million viewers. The Hoosiers’ 30–20 upset over the Ducks was only the fourth most-watched game of the day, behind all three SEC contests on ABC.

  • Oklahoma-Texas: 8.7 million (ABC)
  • Alabama-Missouri: 7 million (ABC)
  • Georgia-Auburn: 6.7 million (ABC)
  • Indiana-Oregon: 5.6 million (CBS)
  • Ohio State–Illinois: 5.28 million (Fox)

USC’s 31–13 win over Michigan drew 4.3 million viewers on NBC on Saturday night, going head-to-head with Georgia-Auburn. Alabama-Missouri beat out Ohio State–Illinois in the noon window.

Ratings Surge

Now halfway through college football’s regular season, ABC is still off to its best start on record, averaging 6.9 million viewers per game. ESPN networks are off to their best start since 2002, averaging an audience of 2.4 million.

Games in Fox’s Big Noon Saturday window are averaging 5.87 million viewers, which is 35% compared to the first seven weeks of the 2024 season.

The ratings momentum continues what was already a strong college football season across all TV networks.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for the
Tuned In Newsletter

Get the latest sports media scoops & insights straight to your inbox once a week.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Arkansas Reinstates Tennis Teams After Donors Promise Millions

The move comes just 20 days after the programs were initially cut.
Feb 5, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel talks to media members at the Santa Clara Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

NFL Staying Hands-Off Schedule Videos as Vrabel Jokes Loom

The league isn’t reviewing teams’ schedule release videos in advance.

NFL Schedule Rollout Ramps Up With Full Thanksgiving Slate, Leak Frenzy

CBS gets a top NFC North rivalry to start the Thanksgiving Day games.

Featured Today

Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.
May 13, 2026

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.
Matt Palumb
May 8, 2026

Pro Lacrosse’s Top Ref Is As Famous As the Players

The last celebrity referee is in the Premier Lacrosse League.
Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) and pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) celebrate with the Commissioner's Trophy in the clubhouse after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.

World Series G7 Audience Count Final: 51M Across U.S., Canada, Japan

The average global audience for Game 7 surpassed 51 million viewers.
October 31, 2025

Frozen Frenzy Ratings Climb 20% Despite Scheduling Complaints

The hockey event posts a 20% viewership bump, despite World Series competition.
November 2, 2025

ESPN Still Dark on YouTube TV As ‘MNF’ Looms

ABC and ESPN’s college football slate was blacked out Saturday.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
October 31, 2025

YouTube TV Loses ESPN, ABC Just Before Big Sports Weekend

More than 20 channels go dark on the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
Rich Paul
exclusive
October 31, 2025

Rich Paul, Max Kellerman in Talks for Show With The Ringer

“The Ringer” sold to Spotify in 2020.
Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) throws his bat after hitting a two run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on during the third inning of game four of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.
October 30, 2025

World Series Game 5: Largest Jays Audience Ever on Canadian TV

Canadian viewership continues to be a major storyline of the World Series.
Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
October 30, 2025

CBS Betting on Chiefs-Bills Delivering Big Once Again

Big viewership likely awaits the revival of the NFL rivalry.