MSU-OSU nets top college football TV rating this season

Michigan State has the nation's attention after beating Ohio State 17-14.

A lot of that might be because the nation was watching.

The No. 6 Spartans' victory Saturday night at Ohio Stadium drew a 7.0 overnight rating, according to ESPN. That marks the highest rating of the college football season across every network.

For perspective, MSU's 27-23 stunner over Michigan on Oct. 17 drew a 5.1 rating (a 3:30 game on ESPN).

The 7.0 rating also marks the highest rating for a 3:30 p.m. game on ABC since the 2006 Michigan-Ohio State "Game of the Century."

In terms of local TV markets, the game drew a 42.0 rating in Columbus, the top local market, followed by Dayton (30.7 rating), Cleveland (28.5) and Detroit (26.0).

Contact Brian Manzullo: bmanzullo@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrianManzullo.

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