Men and women both lie, but statistics don’t. Regardless of one’s feelings toward Michigan, the data indicates that everyone is interested in Ann Arbor’s happenings. The Wolverines in Happy Valley were the center of attention this past weekend.
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There were several exciting, high-profile contests further down the list, but nobody could equal the Wolverines on television.
Undoubtedly, the presence of U-M and PSU in the top 10 contributed somewhat, but so did Georgia and Ole Miss. Miami vs. Florida State used to be a must-watch game on television, but not anymore. Despite Michigan State’s reputation for ruining parties, Ohio State, ranked #1 in the nation, was a small favorite to defeat the maize and blue. Not even USC and Oregon, which got their start considerably later and essentially had their own window to work with, could match Michigan’s viewership.
Whatever perspective you have, Michigan is the college football brand. Everyone wants to watch Jim Harbaugh because he is a divisive figure. Combined, he’s more entertaining than Ryan Day, Kirby Smart, Mike Norvell, Nick Saban, and Kirby Smart. Michigan will always remain relevant on television because of its enormous fan base and alumni network. Add to that the Wolverines are perhaps the greatest team in the nation, and you have figures similar to the ones above.
This weekend, when the Wolverines play the Terps in College Park, the number is likely to decline; however, it won’t rise again until Nov. 25, when U-M faces Ohio State. Ouch.