That pair, and others like it, became part of notable trend in the 2024-25 bowl season: 21 of the 30 non-Playoff bowls that aired on an ESPN network through Jan. 2 saw year-over-year viewership increases, the majority of them by 20 percent or more.

If Ohio State beats Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals, the sport will be assured of having consecutive national champions from outside the Sun Belt region for the first time in three decades.