ESPN continues to see ratings gains in the final year of the BCS college football system.
Thursday's Sugar Bowl, which saw Oklahoma upset Alabama 45-31, spiked 61% from last year to 16.3 million viewers, according to Nielsen fast nationals. The game was the most-viewed Sugar Bowl since 2004.
Oklahoma's victory also rose 50% from last year to a 9.3 household rating.
Through its first three BCS bowl games, ESPN is trending 23% higher than 2013 with an average of 15.4 million viewers. Coverage continues with the Orange Bowl Friday night.
