Even in a season where plenty has gone sideways, Michigan is still pulling serious numbers on TV.
Through the latest Nielsen ratings report, the Wolverines have drawn more than 5.2 million viewers in 2026, which puts them sixth nationally among college football programs. For a team that has had its share of trouble this year, that’s still a major audience footprint.
Nielsen’s figures are based on average viewership across the major college football networks - ABC, CBS, CW, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, NBC, TNT and USA Network. The report does not count Big Ten Network games or regional telecasts, but it remains the clearest snapshot available for how many eyes are landing on each school’s games.
Michigan is firmly in the national top 10, but it is not the Big Ten’s highest-rated team. Ohio State and Wisconsin have both outpaced the Wolverines so far.
The Buckeyes, helped by their Week 2 primetime meeting with Texas, have pulled in more than 6.7 million viewers through the first four weeks. That leaves them about 1.5 million ahead of Michigan over the same stretch.
Wisconsin has gone even further. The Badgers have already topped 7.4 million viewers in 2026, a total beaten by only Texas and LSU across the country.
A big reason is likely their Week 1 matchup with Notre Dame at Lambeau Field, which was the most-watched game of Labor Day weekend. That total did not even include the nearly 700,000 viewers who watched through Peacock.
For Michigan, the numbers show that even with a rough year, the brand still travels well on linear TV. And there’s still room for the Wolverines to add to that total down the stretch.
From Oct. 24 through Nov. 28, Michigan is set to play four teams currently ranked in the top 25.
That stretch includes games against the defending national champions, Indiana, a perennial title contender in Oregon, and, of course, “The Game.” The annual showdown with Ohio State figures to give both programs a ratings bump, even with a noon ET kickoff this year.
In Other News...
Ohio State Fans Have A Cheaper Way To Watch Todays Game
For Ohio State fans trying to follow todays game without leaning on cable, the options are more crowded than ever, but also a little more manageable if price is the main concern. The latest rundown of college football streaming services points viewers toward a handful of familiar platforms, including DIRECTV MySports, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and Fox One, each offering a different mix of live channels, trial periods and monthly costs.
What makes this weeks viewing puzzle interesting is that the cheapest route is not always the most obvious one, especially when channel access can vary by service. For Buckeyes fans, the real challenge is matching the broadcast with a package that actually carries it, which is why the best value option may depend less on name recognition and more on which platform gives the easiest path to the game without forcing viewers into a pricier bundle. [Read more 🡒]
Former Michigan Star Just Reignited The Debate Ohio State Fans Love
Jake Butt briefly reopened one of the most familiar arguments in college football when he suggested in an interview that Michigans 2023 national championship carries an asterisk because of how the sign-stealing scandal has colored public perception. The former Wolverines tight end later took to social media to clarify that he believes those championships were real and earned, but the initial remark was enough to stir up a debate Ohio State fans never seem to tire of revisiting.
For Buckeyes followers, the timing only adds another layer to a rivalry that already lives on edge, especially with Michigan now trying to steady itself through coaching changes and uneven play since Jim Harbaughs departure. Even as Butt walked back the sharper edge of his comment, the larger issue remains unresolved: how much the scandal has damaged the way outsiders view a title that the program still claims as legitimate. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Freshman RBs Shrinking Role Now Carries A Bigger Concern
Legend Beys role in Ohio States backfield has already been sliding, and the freshman running back has not appeared in the last two games after seeing only limited action earlier in the season. For a program that keeps a close eye on the development and availability of every scholarship player, a young runner disappearing from the rotation is notable on its own, especially when the Buckeyes are trying to sort out depth behind the established options.
The bigger concern is what has been happening away from the field. Bey was reportedly cited for speeding and allegedly evicted from his apartment for nonpayment of rent, adding another layer of uncertainty around a player whose playing time has already been shrinking. It is still unclear whether those off-field matters are tied to his reduced role, and the coaching staff has not confirmed any connection, leaving the situation open as one more item to monitor around the Buckeyes. [Read more 🡒]