LSU-Alabama was up 44% over the 11.59 million viewers for last year's primetime gameGETTY IMAGES
An average of 16.636 million viewers watched LSU's 46-41 win over Alabama, the "most people to watch a regular season game" between the teams since their '11 matchup, according to Brooks Kubena of the Baton Rouge ADVOCATE. Viewership on Saturday "peaked at 20.610 million viewers" from 6:00-6:15pm CT -- "just as time was winding down" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 11/11). LSU-Alabama delivered a 44% viewership increase over their primetime game last season (11.59 million viewers). Overall, season-to-date viewership for CBS' college football coverage through 11 weeks is at the net's best point since '90. Viewership is up 39% with 7.091 million viewers compared to last year's 5.088 million (CBS).
ON THE BALL COVERAGE: THE ATHLETIC's John Walters writes CBS' broadcast was "worthy of the season's most outstanding game to date." CBS "focused on the game while letting the pictures tell the story of its magnitude," and announcers Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson, now in their third season together, were "equal to the task." When LSU QB Joe Burrow converted a key fourth down, Nessler "noted that this play may be Burrow's Heisman moment before Burrow even slid." Rules expert Gene Steratore also was "refreshingly candid" (THEATHLETIC.com, 11/11). AWFUL ANNOUNCING's Jay Rigdon noted CBS' pylon cam had "never been more useful" than on Saturday. Burrow found TE Thaddeus Moss on a second-quarter pass that was called a reception. Upon replay, Moss had "clearly stepped out of bounds, meaning this looked like a clear incompletion." However, Moss' ability to get back in bounds was "directly in front of the lens," and the call was "confirmed, presumably thanks in large part to that pylon shot" (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 11/9).
