ESPN's 2015 Thursday Night Doubleheader Sees Significant Ratings Increases Over 2014 Thursday Night Opener

· North Carolina at South Carolina up 40%, No. 2 TCU at Minnesota up 27% from Boise State at Ole Miss

ESPN's Thursday night, college football season opening doubleheader featuring North Carolina at South Carolina (6 p.m. ET) followed by No. 2 TCU at Minnesota (9 p.m. ET) earned a 40% and 27% overnight rating increase compared to ESPN's 2014 Thursday night college football opener featuring Boise State vs. Ole Miss (Aug. 28, 2014). South Carolina's 17-13 victory earned a 2.1 overnight rating, while No. 2 TCU's 23-17 victory garnered a 1.9 overnight rating, both representing a significant jump from the 1.5 overnight rating received during Ole Miss' 35-13 victory last season.

Historically, North Carolina at South Carolina's 2.1 overnight rating is tied as the fifth best ESPN Thursday night opener of all-time:

Top 5 ESPN's Thursday Night College Football Openers (All-Time)

Ranking Overnight Rating Date Matchup
1. 2.6 August 30, 2012 Vanderbilt at South Carolina
2. 2.5 August 29, 2013 North Carolina at South Carolina
3. 2.4 September 3, 2009 Oregon at Boise State
4. 2.3 September 3, 2009 South Carolina at NC State
T-5 2.1 September 3, 2015 North Carolina at South Carolina
T-5 2.1 August 30, 2007 LSU at Mississippi State