Not only was Notre Dame’s win over top ranked Clemson big for the Fighting Irish, vaulting them to #2 in the latest AP rankings, it was also a boon for NBC in the ratings. The double-overtime classic drew an average of 9.44 million according to the Nielsen Ratings. Those numbers make it the most watched Notre Dame game on NBC since the infamous “Bush Push” (where USC running back Reggie Bush pushed quarterback Matt Leinart into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown) game in 2005. That contest drew an average of 10.1 million viewers.
The high numbers come despite game coverage being preempted by President–Elect Joe Biden’s victory speech from 8:27 to 8:57 p.m. During that time, game coverage switched to the USA Network. Viewership reached its peak when 14.1 million viewers tuned in to the second overtime to see Notre Dame seal the 47-40 victory. Currently, the game is the second most watched game this season, just behind Georgia versus Alabama on October 17th (an average of 9.61 million viewers) though it is expected to pass that mark once the “Out of Home” numbers are reported later in the week.
While not citing the ratings directly, Fox Radio host Jonas Knox and former Fighting Irish quarterback Brady Quinn say the game helped Notre Dame’s status as a national brand.
“You have Notre Dame fans all across this country because of NBC,” Knox said. “It’s the same kind of phenomenon with Cubs and Braves fans spread out all over because of WGN and TBS before the regional sports networks took over. But Notre Dame is still a National brand and the result (beating Clemson) was not only good for Notre Dame, it was good for college football. It puts new blood in the National Championship conversation.”
Quinn agrees, adding that Notre Dame has struggled to stay relevant in recent seasons.
“There were a few games during the Manti Teo era that were good,” Quinn said. “But I would say this was the biggest Notre Dame game since the “Bush Push” (which Quinn played in) and then you have to go all the way back to (upsetting #1) Florida State (1993).”
“Clemson and Notre Dame could meet two more times, in the ACC Championship and the college football playoffs,” Quinn continued. “I hope it happens because I have heard a lot of Clemson fans say, ‘yeah but we didn’t have Trevor Lawrence’. Well, unless something happens, you are going to get your chance and if Clemson wins, I could see them both getting in the playoffs and playing again.”
Unfortunately for NBC, if that scenario plays out, they would miss out on the ratings bonanza because their contract with Notre Dame only covers regular season games. The ABC family of networks owns the rights to the ACC championship game and the college football playoffs.
