One benefit of playing in the blowout loss to Alabama for the Miami football team was the ability to get their name and brand on national television. The Hurricanes and Crimson Tide received a 3.0 rating with 5.674 million viewers for the 3:30 ET kickoff on ABC. That was the fourth highest-rated game of the opening weekend.
As expected Clemson and Georgia had the highest rating of the weekend. The Tigers and Bulldogs had a 4.6 rating with 8.863 million viewers. Notre Dame at Florida State and Ohio State at Minnesota were the other games with a higher rating and more viewers than the Miami football team against Alabama in Atlanta.
Clemson and Georgia were in primetime on Saturday night. Ohio State at Minnesota had an 8:00 PM kickoff time on Thursday. Notre Dame at Florida State played in primetime on Sunday night. The 33 point margin in the Miami loss to Alabama was the only blowout of the top four games last weekend.
Ohio State won 45-31 at Minnesota, Georgia defeated Clemson 10-3 and Notre Dame won 41-38 at Florida State in overtime. Miami and Alabama were able to keep viewers despite the Crimson Tide leading 27-3 at halftime. It is a testament to the following Alabama has and that Miami is still nationally relevant.
Miami hosts Appalachian State this weekend with a 7:00 PM ET kickoff on ESPNU. The Hurricanes are scheduled for a noon kickoff on September 18 against Michigan State on ABC or ESPN. The time and broadcast network following week against Central Connecticut State is still be announced.
Miami hosts Virginia to end the month on September 30 with a 7:30 ET kickoff on ESPN. Game times and broadcast schedules for the rest of the Miami schedule after Virginia are still to be determined. The Hurricanes appearing on national television is good for the program. Miami had three ABC Primetime Games last year.
Last Saturday against Alabama was not in primetime, but it was still a marquee game without a lot of competition. If Miami can bounce back from the loss to Alabama with a productive season the Hurricanes will receive some nationally televised games this season. Moving back up the rankings while winning will help.