ND games used to always rank very high in the ratings.  Seems like they forever had one of their games in the top two or three in total viewership in any year.  But apparently, not anymore.  At least, not in 2023.

https://footballscoop.com/news/the-50-most-watched-games-of-the-2023-college-football-regular-season

Of the top 50 most-watched games (before playoffs and bowls), ND played in 4.  The OSU game was #5 on the list, USC was #25 and the Duke and Louisville games were further down.  

ND needs to start winning the games that draw the most eyes.  They were 2-2 in their 4 top-50 games, and 0-1 in the one that really mattered.  It will be next to impossible to remain independent unless they win those big games (and even if they do start winning those big games).

On 3/18/2024 at 1:36 PM, AnTostal said:

ND games used to always rank very high in the ratings.  Seems like they forever had one of their games in the top two or three in total viewership in any year.  But apparently, not anymore.  At least, not in 2023.

https://footballscoop.com/news/the-50-most-watched-games-of-the-2023-college-football-regular-season

Of the top 50 most-watched games (before playoffs and bowls), ND played in 4.  The OSU game was #5 on the list, USC was #25 and the Duke and Louisville games were further down.  

ND needs to start winning the games that draw the most eyes.  They were 2-2 in their 4 top-50 games, and 0-1 in the one that really mattered.  It will be next to impossible to remain independent unless they win those big games (and even if they do start winning those big games).

Had ND beat Ohio St, then ND's following games might have seen more viewers and Ohio St might have less viewers since the Irish would have been a Top 5 team and the Buckeyes would have dropped.

2 hours ago, jbrown_9999 said:

Had ND beat Ohio St, then ND's following games might have seen more viewers and Ohio St might have less viewers since the Irish would have been a Top 5 team and the Buckeyes would have dropped.

Exactly right!

Unfortunately, USC was pretty bad this year, otherwise I think that game would’ve been higher.  We didn’t really play too many intriguing games that outsiders would want to watch.  Colorado drew a lot of ratings a below average team ordinarily wouldn’t draw, so I wonder how that factored into the numbers.

On 3/26/2024 at 8:28 PM, irishwavend said:

Unfortunately, USC was pretty bad this year, otherwise I think that game would’ve been higher.  We didn’t really play too many intriguing games that outsiders would want to watch.  Colorado drew a lot of ratings a below average team ordinarily wouldn’t draw, so I wonder how that factored into the numbers.

At the time of the game USC was a top 10 undefeated team with the reigning Heisman winner under center.  I don't think that had anything to do with it at that point.

6 minutes ago, NYGoldenDomer said:

At the time of the game USC was a top 10 undefeated team with the reigning Heisman winner under center.  I don't think that had anything to do with it at that point.

Yeah, agreed! I mean, they came in 6-0, and ND broke them! 😝🤘🏼😂