Ohio State-Purdue was most-watched game of weekend, fifth-highest this season

Ohio State-Purdue was a nightmare for Buckeyes fans.

For Boilermaker fans, though, it was the game to never forget. It was a captivating, thrilling — use whichever word you think fits best — upset. Ohio State was ranked No. 2 in the country and the game was on primetime.

Everybody who wanted to watch the game watched it. And, a lot of people watched it.

News came out on the television rating numbers for the 49-20 upset and it was the most-watched game of the weekend:

ABC’s Saturday Night Football: Ohio State at Purdue Most-Watched Game of Week 8 and among Most-Watched Games of the Season!

Boilermakers’ Upset Averages More than 6.2 Million Viewers; Peaks at More than 8.1 Million!

More: https://t.co/cVRgx91nZv pic.twitter.com/QjYHkyznhY

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) October 23, 2018

Not only was Ohio State-Purdue the most-watched game of the weekend, but it was also the fifth-highest watched game this season. Ohio State always draws a big number, but when it goes down in an upset, people want to watch.

One way or another.

Here are the top five games this season from a viewers basis:

1. Ohio State at Penn State — 9,159,000 viewers
2. Ohio State at TCU — 7,244,000 viewers
3. Michigan at Notre Dame — 7,107,000 viewers
4. Miami vs. LSU — 6,562,000 viewers
5. Ohio State at Purdue — 6,048,000 viewers

Ohio State has a bye this upcoming weekend and Purdue travels to face Michigan State for a noon kickoff on ESPN.

Kevin Cunningham

Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.