The Peach Bowl classic between Arizona State and Texas racked up huge ratings, according to ESPN. The network shared the viewership numbers for the four College Football Playoff quarterfinals games and only the Rose Bowl match up between Oregon and Ohio State beat the Peach Bowl in viewership.
Here’s a look at the breakdown, with Arizona State and Texas’ 17.3 million viewers blowing past Penn State vs. Boise State (13.9 million) and Notre Dame vs. Georgia (15.8 million).
As ESPN noted, the 17.3 million viewers made it the most-watched bowl game ever for a kick off prior to 3:00 p.m. ET.
Related: Ranking Every Game From 2024 Big 12 Bowl Season
The game went to double overtime, where Texas ended up winning 39-31 over the Sun Devils. But Arizona State became the darling of the College Football Playoff thus far. And their star Cam Skattebo became a household name to millions of casual college football fans, who were not familiar with the former FCS player, turned Big 12 star.
The game was not without controversy, especially on the no targeting call vs. Texas late in regulation that would have put Arizona State into Texas territory, likely with a chance to try and win the game. But the no-call resulted in overtime, where the Sun Devils came up short.
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark put out a statement after the game, saying, “As a member of the College Football Playoff management committee, I have had multiple discussions seeking clarity surrounding the targeting call on Arizona State’s final drive of the 4th quarter with Richard Clark. Moving forward, we need to address CFP officiating to ensure national standards are developed,” Yormark said. “These standards will be crucial to the CFP’s future, and I look forward to discussing them with my fellow committee members when we meet next.”
Texas will now take on Ohio State and Penn State will play Notre Dame next Thursday in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
