Sign in Subscribe

Must-see LSU

Must-see LSU
Photo by Amit Lahav / Unsplash

Through four weeks, LSU is the second-most-watched team in college football, trailing only No. 1 Texas. Alabama, despite its early-season struggles, barely cracks the top 10, according to Nielsen and ESPN data.

Why it matters: TV ratings mean big money for the SEC. Being one of the nation’s most-watched teams also boosts a university’s enrollment, national brand and worldwide recognition of its academic work.

By the numbers: Through Week 4:

  • Texas has averaged 9.1 million viewers.
  • LSU is averaging 7.6 million, just ahead of Wisconsin at 7.4 million.
  • Rounding out the top 10 are Ohio State (6.9 million), Ole Miss (6.9 million), Tennessee (5.7 million), Michigan (5.6 million), Florida (5.2 million), Kentucky (5.1 million) and Alabama (4.6 million).

The bigger picture: TV ratings for college football's biggest leagues are down 11% this year, averaging 1.7 million viewers across all Nielsen-rated networks.

Meanwhile, LSU has benefited from three primetime games and high-profile new coach Lane Kiffin.

The bottom line: This edition of the Tigers is already a winner on television, but a weaker October schedule could drag down its viewership numbers. A November stretch featuring home games against Alabama and Texas should help push LSU and the Longhorns into the top two heading into the final weeks of the season. The LSU-Texas game should be the most-watched game this season, and it's in Baton Rouge.