UK's bowl gets highest TV rating in game's history

Saturday's BBVA Compass Bowl featuring Kentucky and Pittsburgh was one of only 10 college football post-season games to enjoy an increase in TV ratings this year over last year, according to a report compiled by The Birmingham News of Nielsen Media Research Data.

Pittsburgh's 27-10 victory over Kentucky produced the highest rating in the game's five-year history, with a 2.2, up 38 percent from last year when Connecticut beat South Carolina.

Ratings represent the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned into a program.

The game in Birmingham ranked 20th out of 34 bowls rated by Nielsen.

Overall, bowl ratings were down nine percent from last year, according to the analysis, including an 11 percent drop for the national championship game won by Auburn over Oregon. The game received a 15.3 rating on ESPN.

Diora Baird Laura Prepon Ashley Scott Michelle Behennah Julie Benz