Ratings for Ohio State vs Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl Were Through the Roof
By Sean Facey
The Fiesta Bowl showdown between Ohio State and Clemson was one for the ages. It featured two stellar teams, some questionable officiating and an ending that practically nobody could have seen coming.
And if there was any doubt that it wasn't a massive hit, look no further than the ratings. It pulled in a whopping 21.2 million viewers and became the most-watched non-New Year's Day College Football Playoff semifinal ever.
Fiesta Bowl drew 21.2 million viewers, resulting in the most-watched CFP Semifinal not played on New Year’s Day (eight games) and up 9% from last year’s similarly scheduled CFP game.
— Gene Sapakoff (@Sapakoff) December 29, 2019
The massive haul in viewership was also a 9% increase from the previous year's draw.
That's what happens when two evenly-matched teams like the Tigers and the Buckeyes go toe-to-toe. Though Justyn Ross' overturned fumble may have tainted the final results, there was still plenty to like about the game.
Clemson trailed by 16 points and came back to win the @Fiesta_Bowl.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 29, 2019
That is the 2nd-largest comeback win in a CFP Semifinal or Final (Georgia overcame a 17-point deficit in the 2017 playoffs vs Oklahoma).
Clemson has now tied FSU for the longest win streak (29) in ACC history. pic.twitter.com/hq5sXbOtRN
After Ohio State jumped out to an early 16-0 lead, the game turned into a back-and-forth affair that culminated with Clemson winning on an end zone interception from Justin Fields. It was his second pick of the game and just his third of the year.
If there were any doubts that the current College Football Playoff format is turning fans away, these sky-high ratings should put those doubts to rest.