Ratings for the Rose Bowl were up 27 percent as top-ranked Southern California all but assured itself of a share of the national title with a victory over Michigan.
USC's 28-14 victory over the Wolverines on Thursday delivered a 14.5 rating and a 24 share for ABC, up from the 11.4 rating and 19 share for last year's game between No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 7 Washington State, which had no bearing on the national championship.
Television ratings for the Rose Bowl - the flagship event of the US college football programme on New Year's Day - posted a substantial rise on last year.
