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The 79th edition of the Iron Bowl between No. 15 Auburn and No. 1 Alabama posted a record rating on ESPN on Saturday night.
According to ESPN PR, the 7.2 overnight mark is the highest regular-season rating on an ESPN network since 2009.
Iron Bowl posts 7.2 overnight rating – tied as highest regular-season game on ESPN net on record with 2009’s Ohio St-USC
— Mike Humes (@MikeHumesESPN) November 30, 2014
The ESPN/ABC family had a huge day of games, with the Iron Bowl capping off Rivalry Saturday.
Related: Iron Bowl’s CBS streak comes to an end, but why?
The Worldwide Leader picked up the game — which 100 coaches recently voted the most intense rivalry in college football — because Alabama had appeared on network partner CBS five times already this season, the limit for a single team.
The 55-44 shootout ended a day in which ESPN had the three highest-rated games of the day and in its designated window.
Michigan-OSU (ABC noon), Fla-FSU (ESPN 3:30pm) & Auburn-Bama (ESPN 7:45) 3 highest-rated games of the day and in each window.
— Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) November 30, 2014
Meanwhile, in Birmingham — the epicenter of the state of Alabama — the game drew an unprecedented number.
Iron Bowl averages 51.8 in Birmingham, highest for regular-season game in the market on ESPN net on record
— Mike Humes (@MikeHumesESPN) November 30, 2014
Not only did the game, an Alabama win, garner a huge audience on cable, but also on broadband with WatchESPN setting records, as well.
Iron Bowl garnered 475,000 viewers & 119,000 average minute audience on WatchESPN, regular-season records on product
— Mike Humes (@MikeHumesESPN) November 30, 2014
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
