The Michigan State Spartans line up against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
DALLAS (AP) — Television ratings for the College Football Playoff semifinals dropped approximately 36 percent from last season when they were played on New Year’s Day instead of New Year’s Eve.
ESPN announced the overnight ratings Friday.
The Orange Bowl between Clemson and Oklahoma, which kicked off about 4:10 p.m. ET on ESPN, drew a 9.7 rating. The first semifinal last season, the Rose Bowl with Oregon and Florida State on New Year’s Day, earned a 15.5.
The Michigan State-Alabama Cotton Bowl drew a 9.9 rating for ESPN compared to 15.3 for Ohio State-Alabama in the Sugar Bowl last Jan. 1.
