On a thrilling Saturday evening, the college football world witnessed a showdown for the ages as Alabama took on Georgia. The highly anticipated matchup drew in a staggering 12 million viewers across ABC and various streaming platforms, according to Nielsen’s latest ratings.
This monumental audience makes it the most-watched regular season prime-time game in seven years, surpassing the 2017 opener between Alabama and Florida State. Moreover, it marks the most-streamed regular-season game in ESPN’s history.
As the clock ticked down, the tension mounted, with viewership peaking at 14.1 million between 11:15-11:30 p.m. EDT. This dramatic surge coincided with Alabama’s nail-biting defense against Georgia’s second-half comeback attempt. The Crimson Tide’s Ryan Williams sealed the deal with a 75-yard touchdown reception from Jalen Milroe, leaving just 2:18 on the clock. Georgia’s subsequent drive for a potential game-tying score was thwarted when Zabien Brown intercepted Carson Beck’s pass in the end zone.
The aftermath of this intense battle saw Alabama leapfrog to the top spot in the AP Top 25, while Georgia slid from second to fifth. This season marks a significant milestone, as ESPN and ABC have secured the exclusive broadcasting rights to the entire Southeastern Conference football package.
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