Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff drew 22 million viewers, fewer than the previous year.

In the ever-evolving world of college football, few matchups can match the excitement, intensity, and cultural significance of the College Football Playoff (CFP). When two high-profile programs like Ohio State and Notre Dame square off in a highly anticipated postseason battle, the stakes are high. The game isn’t just about the on-field drama—it’s about national pride, bragging rights, and the chance to secure a coveted berth in the national championship game. But as much as the drama unfolded on the field, off the field, another important narrative began to develop: a decline in viewership.

Ohio State’s hard-fought victory over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff, which was broadcast to a national audience, drew an impressive 22 million viewers. On the surface, the number might appear strong, especially considering the prominence of both teams. However, the figure represents a notable decline compared to the previous year’s CFP numbers, which raised questions about changing trends in college football viewership. The conversation quickly turned from the game itself to why the numbers weren’t as high as anticipated, and what this might mean for the future of the sport, television deals, and the ongoing evolution of fan engagement.

This article takes a deep dive into the factors surrounding Ohio State’s victory, the decline in viewership, and the broader implications for college football.

The Game: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff

The matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame in the 2025 College Football Playoff semifinals promised to be a spectacle. Both teams came into the game with impressive records, storied programs, and a deep history of producing NFL-caliber talent. Ohio State, under head coach Ryan Day, was fresh off a dominant regular season and was considered a national title contender. Meanwhile, Notre Dame, led by head coach Marcus Freeman, had earned its way into the playoff with a thrilling run in the regular season, showcasing a defense that could stifle even the most potent offenses in the country.

The game itself lived up to the hype. It was an intense, back-and-forth affair that featured explosive plays, clutch performances, and high stakes. Ohio State’s offense, led by Kyle McCord at quarterback, had to battle a stout Notre Dame defense, while the Buckeyes’ defense, under Jim Knowles, managed to contain Notre Dame’s own offensive attack. Ultimately, Ohio State emerged victorious, securing a spot in the national championship game. The victory was a testament to the Buckeyes’ resilience, talent, and championship pedigree.

However, despite the quality of the game, the viewership numbers didn’t match expectations. The 22 million viewers who tuned in to watch the game represented a decline from previous years, prompting immediate reactions across the sports world.

The Viewership Decline: Why Did It Happen?

While 22 million viewers for a College Football Playoff game is still an impressive number, it is significantly lower than the viewership for similar games in past years. The first logical question that arises is: why?

1. Changing Habits in Media Consumption

One of the most significant factors contributing to the drop in viewership is the shift in how people consume media. Traditional television ratings are no longer the gold standard they once were. With the rise of streaming platforms and alternative ways to watch content, including social media highlights, college football games no longer rely solely on network TV viewership. The way fans engage with sports is evolving, and this has been particularly evident in college football.

More fans are choosing to watch games online via streaming platforms, or even through social media channels, where clips and highlights are readily available. As a result, fewer viewers are sitting down to watch games on traditional TV sets, which means that total viewership numbers across conventional platforms are bound to decline.

Streaming services like ESPN+, Hulu, and YouTube TV now offer live sports coverage, including college football games. However, these services typically don’t contribute to the traditional TV ratings that measure viewership. This leaves broadcasters and analysts to wonder whether the drop in viewership is more a sign of a shift in where the fans are, rather than a decline in interest.

2. Increased Competition for Viewers

The fall sports season is saturated with high-profile events that compete for attention. College football games, especially those with playoff implications, are not the only major events taking place on a given weekend. In 2025, Ohio State’s CFP game against Notre Dame faced competition from the NFL, NBA, and NHL, as well as major college basketball matchups. Fans often have to choose between multiple live events happening simultaneously, leading to viewership fragmentation.

Additionally, the rise of other sports leagues around the world, including the English Premier League and Formula 1, means that global sports fans are no longer strictly focused on American football. With more options available, some potential viewers may have opted for different sports that cater to their interests, further diluting the audience for Ohio State vs. Notre Dame.

3. The Impact of Regionalization on Viewership

While Ohio State and Notre Dame are both storied programs with national followings, college football is inherently regional. Fans in Ohio are passionate about the Buckeyes, and those in Indiana and the surrounding areas support Notre Dame with unwavering loyalty. However, college football games are often more exciting to regional fans, who are more invested in local teams. National viewership may be affected when the teams in the playoffs aren’t representative of the biggest fanbases or marquee programs in the country.

In 2025, the CFP landscape also saw the emergence of teams from other conferences like the SEC and Big 12, which may have garnered more attention from fans across the nation. Teams like Georgia, Alabama, and Texas often attract larger national audiences, as they are perceived as more dominant and often have greater national followings.

When Ohio State and Notre Dame faced off, many casual fans from outside of Ohio or Indiana might have been less interested in the game, opting instead to tune in to teams from conferences like the SEC, where the narrative surrounding those programs is arguably more widely talked about. Thus, a game featuring regional powerhouses may not have the same level of universal appeal.

4. The Impact of Past Playoff Fatigue

The College Football Playoff system has been in place since 2014, and by 2025, fans have become accustomed to the format. However, this familiarity has also led to some degree of fatigue when it comes to the playoff games. For many fans, the anticipation of the same teams year after year, especially in the early rounds, has started to wane. In the past decade, the same programs, including Ohio State, Alabama, and Clemson, have regularly appeared in the CFP, leaving some fans feeling that the postseason lacks the excitement it once had.

Moreover, the dominance of programs like Alabama and Georgia in recent seasons has led some fans to question whether other teams have a realistic shot at winning the national title. When Ohio State and Notre Dame met, for instance, some fans might have felt that the outcome was already decided or that one team had a significant edge in talent.

As college football becomes increasingly predictable in terms of playoff teams, the novelty of the postseason has diminished slightly, contributing to declining interest.

5. The Timing of the Game and Weather Conditions

Sometimes, seemingly minor factors can have a major impact on viewership. Weather conditions, the time of day the game is played, or even just scheduling conflicts can influence whether fans choose to watch. In 2025, Ohio State’s matchup with Notre Dame may have been scheduled at an inconvenient time for fans on the West Coast, or the weather may have been inclement in key regions, which could have led to lower viewership numbers.

With so many sports happening around the same time, fans sometimes have to choose which games they prioritize. Scheduling conflicts—whether due to other high-profile college football matchups, NFL games, or even non-football events—could also play a role in the decline of viewership.

What Does This Mean for College Football’s Future?

The decline in viewership for Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame raises important questions about the future of college football’s media landscape. The changing dynamics of media consumption and competition from other sports leagues signal a shift in how fans engage with the game. College football will have to adapt to these changes if it hopes to continue drawing massive audiences, especially for marquee postseason matchups like the College Football Playoff.

1. The Importance of Innovative Broadcasting

One solution could be a more creative approach to broadcasting games. The NFL and other sports leagues have pioneered new ways to engage with fans, including interactive broadcasts, gamification, and behind-the-scenes access. As streaming services continue to rise, college football could explore new ways to meet fans where they are, providing options for on-demand content, immersive experiences, and expanded commentary.

2. A Need for Broader Representation in the Playoff

Another important consideration is how the College Football Playoff is structured. Some critics have argued that the CFP is too exclusive, with a small number of programs consistently earning spots. The expansion of the playoff to more teams could create a more dynamic and unpredictable postseason, which in turn could increase fan interest across the country. If more teams from a variety of conferences make their way into the playoff, it could generate more excitement and higher viewership numbers.