Fox Sports reported that the season-opening showdown between Texas and Ohio State drew 16.62 million viewers, setting a new all-time record for Week 1 college football viewership and highlighting the massive national interest in the primetime matchup.
The highly anticipated season opener between Ohio State and Texas proved to be a historic draw for college football fans nationwide. According to Fox Sports, the matchup pulled in an audience of 16.62 million viewers, making it the most-watched Week 1 game in the history of the sport.
On the field, the Buckeyes delivered the statement win. Ranked No. 3 at the time, Ohio State knocked off top-ranked Texas in a defensive slugfest, emerging with a 14-7 victory. The loss marked a tough debut for Arch Manning in his first start as the Longhorns’ full-time quarterback.
Despite the setback for Texas, the storyline surrounding Manning’s debut helped fuel enormous interest. Fans across the country tuned in to see how the heralded quarterback would handle the spotlight against one of college football’s premier programs. The intrigue only added to the weight of the showdown.
Fox Sports also highlighted just how massive the viewership became during key stretches of the contest. From 3:00 to 3:15 p.m. ET, the broadcast peaked at 18.6 million viewers, reflecting the game’s ability to captivate audiences during critical moments.
Overall, the clash not only set a new benchmark for Week 1 viewership but also etched its place in Fox’s record books. It stands as the network’s third most-watched regular-season college football game ever, underscoring both the strength of the Texas–Ohio State matchup and the growing spotlight on the 2025 season.
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