West Coast Football Stinks

[NavinRJohnson]

But you'd get the highest ratings of all if you matched Florida and Ohio State.   That's just how it is....Boise and TCU make for good stories, but in the end, the ratings show that people prefer the big programs.

Or do the ratings show that people prefer the biggest games (as in the Championship game, or the Rose Bowl which still occupies its traditional New Year's Day time slot). If Wisconsin and Oregon State wind up in this year's Rose Bowl, it will still get double digit ratings.To suggest that ratings are higher for Texas-Alabama, or Ohio State and Oregon, is simply a function of the teams playing is a bit silly. I agree its a factor, but were Boise in the title game against Alabama instead of Texas, are you really suggesting that the ratings would have been significantly lower?

[ChicosBailBonds]

Or do the ratings show that people prefer the biggest games (as in the Championship game, or the Rose Bowl which still occupies its traditional New Year's Day time slot). If Wisconsin and Oregon State wind up in this year's Rose Bowl, it will still get double digit ratings.To suggest that ratings are higher for Texas-Alabama, or Ohio State and Oregon, is simply a function of the teams playing is a bit silly. I agree its a factor, but were Boise in the title game against Alabama instead of Texas, are you really suggesting that the ratings would have been significantly lower?

Actually, yes.  A Wisconsin Oregon State Rose Bowl game would very likely have lower ratings than Ohio State and USC or Michigan and USC.  The teams have a lot to do with it.  The data shows it.  Certainly there are exceptions to the rule.

[NavinRJohnson]

Actually, yes.  A Wisconsin Oregon State Rose Bowl game would very likely have lower ratings than Ohio State and USC or Michigan and USC.  The teams have a lot to do with it.  The data shows it.  Certainly there are exceptions to the rule.

Significantly lower? How do you know that?

Of course the teams have an impact. I'm not suggesting otherwise, but there are obviously many factors that are going to affect TV ratings. The teams are clearly one of them, but what is that difference going to be? Is it going to be a 5% difference? 10%? 25%? If Alabama and Oregon play in the National Championship game, will the ratings differ significantly from Alabama and Boise State? Which direction? Since it has never been tested, how do you know?

My point is, that a Wisconsin-OSU Rose Bowl would still draw good, comparable ratings. I'm guessing the data shows that as well. Certainly better that the Orange Bowl for example that is played on some random Monday or Tuesday night.

[ChicosBailBonds]

All we can do is compare year over year, it's not a perfect science and as such, the data is a bit cloudy because other forces are in play as well.

But if you normalize for it, the bigger programs draw the bigger ratings.  It doesn't matter what sport.  If the Yankees are in the World Series, big ratings.  If the Cowboys are in the Super Bowl, big ratings.  Same for college bowls, NCAA championship games, etc.

The cliche that such and such network is rooting for the Yankees over the Twins is not just East Coast bias...it's MONEY and RATINGS.  Even though the Twins are a much more compelling story.  It just is what it is.

There are stacks and stack of tv ratings data. To your point, yes, a Wisconsin Oregon State Rose Bowl game would draw pretty well but in the game of TV ratings and $$$$, if you can do better you want the better national matchup.  The difference in rating points means a tremendous amount of $$$

[ChicosBailBonds]

Unless they cheat like they did an USC the west coast is unable to field a team that can compare to the midwest or the south.  It's a shame that California has become a wasteland for gridiron excellence.  Must be the water.  I watch Stanford play the other day.  Garbage in garbage out.  Northwestern would eat them alive.  can't wait to see Notre Dame beat them by 30