Ole Miss-LSU Draws 10.9 Million to Lead Week 3 College Football Ratings

Ole Miss's win over LSU averaged 10.9 million viewers on ABC, making it the second-most-watched college football game of the season.

Ole Miss's victory over LSU on Sept. 19 was the most-watched college football game of Week 3, averaging 10.90 million viewers in ABC's primetime slot. According to Nielsen Big Data + Panel figures, it also ranks as the second-most-watched game of the 2026 season to date. The matchup drew extra attention as Lane Kiffin returned to Oxford for the first time since leaving the Rebels after last season.

Florida State's rematch with Alabama ranked second for the week at 7.01 million viewers, though weather delays limited ABC to airing only the first half before coverage shifted to ESPN2. Kentucky's upset of Texas A&M drew 5.36 million, airing on both ABC and ESPN during the same afternoon window.

Georgia's 45-17 road win over Arkansas averaged 4.18 million on ABC, followed by Clemson's 28-20 comeback against North Carolina at 3.59 million on ESPN. Notre Dame's 27-10 win over Michigan State drew 3.24 million on NBC opposite the Ole Miss-LSU game.

Friday night games also made the list: Texas Tech's narrow escape against Houston averaged 3.03 million on FOX, while Miami's 33-20 win at Wake Forest drew 2.34 million on ESPN. Ohio State's 59-3 rout of Kent State rounded out the top 10 with 2.72 million viewers on FOX's noon window.