Alabama and Michigan’s Rose Bowl thriller delivered a ratings smash for ESPN.

ESPN announced that it drew 27.2 million viewers for the game, peaking at 32.8 million. It’s a top-10 all-time cable telecast and the best non-NFL sporting numbers since 2018. As far as College Football Playoff semifinals, Alabama-Michigan produced the best semifinal ratings since Year 1 of the CFP.

The Rose Bowl got the ESPN megacast treatment. Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show logged 1.4 million viewers, the most for any college football alternate telecast.

While Alabama fans had to experience the heartbreak of an overtime loss, football fans in general were treated to a CFP classic. According to ESPN Analytics, UA had an 88.6% chance to win with less than 4 minutes to go in regulation. The Wolverines managed a rally that will be celebrated by the U-M faithful for ages, forcing overtime, taking the lead and making a 4th-and-goal stop.

The Sugar Bowl, which featured No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Texas, drew 18.4 million viewers. No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington will play Monday for the College Football Playoff National Championship.