Alabama’s Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix (6) intercepts a pass over Notre Dame’s DaVaris Daniels (10) during the second half of the BCS National Championship college football game in Miami.MIAMI – ESPN officials were hoping Monday night’s BCS championship pairing of storied powers Alabama and Notre Dame could produce record ratings, but the Crimson Tide’s blowout didn’t help.
Alabama’s 21-0 whipping of LSU in last year’s championship game drew a 14.0 rating, which was the third-lowest for a championship pairing since the BCS era began in 1998. Auburn’s win over Oregon after the 2010 season drew a 15.3 rating.
The record BCS title rating of 21.7 was set when Texas upset Southern Cal 41-38 after the 2005 season.
“It was not a very compelling game on the field last year and it did a 14, so I’m encouraged about that,” ESPN senior vice president Burke Magnus said before kickoff. “I’m not in the prediction business, but I would love to see a number that starts with a 2.”
The ratings for Monday’s game should be known later today. Magnus said research shows the maximum number of viewers occur around 11 p.m. Eastern, when many from the West Coast join.