College football is chaotic, messy — and more popular than ever

College football viewership has surged to record levels, contradicting claims of turmoil within the sport, according to Fox executive Mike Mulvihill. TV viewers consumed 179 billion minutes during the past regular season, a 33% increase since 2021. Despite controversies surrounding NIL deals, the transfer portal, and mid-season coaching changes, the sport's popularity continues to grow.

Recent developments, such as James Madison and Tulane making the College Football Playoff, have sparked debate among analysts like Nick Saban and Dan Wolken. Critics argue that these changes damage the sport's integrity. However, TV ratings indicate a different narrative. ESPN's bowl games attracted their highest audience in a decade, with college football accounting for eight of the 100 most-watched TV telecasts in 2025.

Factors contributing to the viewership increase include more competitive games due to NIL parity, improved scheduling by networks, and an expanded playoff. ESPN and Fox have capitalized on these trends by broadcasting more games and reaching