colorado 34-23 victory over Cincinnati garnered impressive ratings, underscoring the Buffaloes’ strong national appeal this season. The game marked the first Big 12 conference meeting between both schools and was broadcast on ESPN with a late start, drawing an audience of 2.3 million viewers. This high rating made it the most-watched Big 12 game of the weekend and the second-most-watched game among ESPN programming, just behind Oklahoma’s SEC clash with Ole Miss, which drew 2.5 million of spectators.

The Buffs’ popularity has been consistently strong throughout the season, with fans tuning in to see coach Deion Sanders and his program in action, regardless of the opponent or schedule. By comparison, the Colorado matchup beat notable rivalries such as Michigan State versus Michigan, which drew 1.7 million viewers, and Florida State versus Miami, which drew 1.5 million. Even Kansas’ matchup with local rival Kansas State, another Big 12 contest, came up woefully short with just 708,000 viewers.

Stephen A. Smith suggests Deion Sanders was disrespected against Colorado

The significant viewership of Colorado’s victory highlights the team’s unique appeal, even amid conference realignments and changing interests in college football. Colorado games have become must-see events, not only for their own fans but also for a national audience intrigued by Coach Prime’s high-energy approach and the team’s exciting on-field play. This trend has brought Colorado a level of fan attention and engagement that hasn’t been seen in years.

With a bye week ahead, Colorado has a chance to rest before traveling to Texas Tech. While game time and broadcast details remain undecided, viewing numbers will likely remain high as fans anticipate another dynamic showdown. As Colorado continues to capture viewers across the country, the Buffs’ season is a testament to how compelling narratives and standout personalities can draw audiences across the country, making even new conference matchups instant classics.