Eric Boggs
A recent report from The Athletic has sparked controversy by naming the University of Michigan as the most popular program in college football. While the Wolverines certainly have a strong following, a deeper dive into the data used to support this claim paints a very different picture—one where Ohio State stands out as the true leader in fan engagement and national interest.
In terms of television viewership, Ohio State was a clear frontrunner last season, averaging 6.8 million viewers per game compared to Michigan’s 5.2 million. When it comes to filling stadiums, Michigan posted an impressive 884,384 total home attendance. However, Ohio State drew a staggering 936,550 fans across fewer home games, proving their unmatched draw on game day.
Merchandise sales tell a similar story. As of March 15, Ohio State ranked third in sales, ahead of Michigan at fourth. Financially, the Buckeyes again led the way, generating $254.9 million in football revenue during the 2024 fiscal year—topping Michigan’s $238 million despite hosting two fewer home games.
Even in the booming world of sports betting, Ohio State proved more influential. While Michigan led in online wagering, Ohio State ranked seventh in total number of bets and second in total money wagered across all platforms. Michigan didn’t place in the top ten in either category.
On social media, Michigan does edge out Ohio State in terms of total followers, boasting over 3.3 million compared to OSU’s 3.1 million. However, when measuring overall presence—including engagement, content interaction, and influence across platforms—Ohio State holds the upper hand.
Search trends over the past five years show Alabama as the most Googled team, followed by Ohio State and Texas. Yet over the past two years, Ohio State has consistently led in search volume. Michigan’s recent climb in the rankings may be less about on-field success and more tied to off-field controversies that have dominated headlines and fueled online curiosity.
While Michigan can claim the top spot in a few select areas—social media following, secondary market ticket sales, and living alumni—Ohio State outpaces them in nearly every category that reflects genuine popularity and national interest. When considering TV viewership, attendance, revenue, betting activity, and digital presence, the Buckeyes make a strong case for being the true powerhouse of college football.
