Bears-Bills preseason game drew 5.1 million viewers
Fox announced that 5.1 million viewers watched the Bears' 38-0 blowout win, which Josh Allen and the rest of the Bills' starters watched from the sideline.
That's Fox's biggest preseason audience in five years and an 11 percent increase from Fox's audience for the comparable preseason game last year.
The big audience is a sign that, even as the Bills and many other teams increasingly keep their starters on the bench in the preseason, Americans are hungry enough for football that they'll watch any NFL game.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
4 minutes ago
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Liona Lefau is ready to breakout on a national scale
Liona Lefau heads into his junior year with more experience and therefore, more expectations. He will not be the most talked about guy on the defense, but he might just be one of the most important. We are 10 days out from Texas football being back in our lives, and today it's all about Liona Lefau. This is one my favorite players on the entire football team, and another name that I think Texas fans know well, but the national media will know very soon. Very instinctual, strong player that plays the run incredibly well. Pass coverage is something that could use improvement, which he will be asked to do at times this year. 2024 Stats: 63 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF in 16 games(10 starts) Of all the guys on this team that I think can break out on a national scale, Lefau is at the very top of my list. There are some small things that he struggles with, like overcommitting at times in the run game, but those are fixable problems. That is about getting more reps and feeling more comfortable in the defense as much as anything. He will get those chances this year. The linebackers room is one Texas fans have to feel confident heading into this year. Anthony Hill Jr leads the way, and because there are consistently only two true LBs on the field for Texas at any given time, the depth is incredible. Behind Hill, it's likely to be Ty'Anthony Smith, a guy that has had a remarkable fall camp. Behind Lefau, it's the new LB in Trey Moore moving from more of a pass rushing role. Then you have Brad Spence you can play around with and Bo Barnes that is making waves early. Of all of those guys, including Hill, I'm most excited to see what Lefau can be this year. If he takes another step forward, this could be the very best LB duo in the entire country and the run defense is going to not miss a beat. The other great part of this for Lefau is that leadership is not lacking in this room, so he doesn't have to be the most vocal guy in the room. That's not to say he won't take a step forward there, just to say that responsibility doesn't solely fall on his shoulders. This is a player that has the luxury of playing next to Anthony Hill Jr, which makes his job easier overall. The other part of that is if Pete Kwiatkowski is going to be able to use Anthony Hill as freely as he would like, Lefau needs to be incredible sound in his spot. He plays a role that itself won't get highlights, but can be the key to the Texas defense being as effective as it can be, which is the best in recent history. Liona Lefau is very unlikely to be talked about as much as he should this year. When you have three AP Preseason All-Americans on the defense, it's hard for others to break through in a big way. That being said, he is as important of a player to this team and defense as just about anyone. He is the underrated key to success for Texas in 2025, not because he will put up insane numbers, but because he opens up the rest of the defense to be what they can be. The player who will talk about tomorrow is one that could be equally as important, especially because of the position versatility that he brings to this room. Trey Moore heads into year two at Texas with his eyes set on a huge contract year. We will talk about why the move to LB could help him in that respect. Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.


USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Oregon Ducks have three of top 100-ranked players in college football for 2025 season
In the same week that a trio of Oregon Ducks were named 2025 AP Preseason All-Americans, those same three players have been named to ESPN's top 100 players in college football prior to the 2025 season. Safety Dillon Thieneman was the first Duck to appear on the list at No. 44. The former Purdue Boilermaker was one of the team's lone standouts, finishing with a team-leading 104 total tackles (70 solo) and six passes defensed. Next was running back Makai Hughes, who also transferred to join Oregon's program this offseason. Coming in at No. 30 on the list, Hughes established himself as one of the top running backs in the country during his two seasons at Tulane — regardless of conference. "Hughes rushed for 2,779 yards combined the past two seasons, more than any other returning back in college football," ESPN's Jake Trotter wrote. "Hughes should bring a level of physicality to the Oregon offense; he broke 38 tackles last season, tied with North Carolina's Omarion Hampton for fifth most in the nation." Tops on the list for the Ducks is defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei, who's ranked as the 20th best player in college football. It should come as no surprise, as he was an All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore and notched 10.5 sacks in the regular season. That led the conference. "The Ducks lost several key players off last season's defense, including tackle Derrick Harmon, a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers," Trotter wrote. "But Uiagalelei is a big reason the Ducks could be just as disruptive up front after ranking third in the Big Ten with 40 sacks in 2024." With less than two weeks to go before Oregon kicks off their season against Montana State, the preseason accolades continue to roll in for the Ducks' trio of stars. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.


USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Who has the best college football uniforms? Top 25 looks, ranked
You know the saying: Look good, play good. College football is steeped in pageantry, and there may not be a better way to display it than with uniforms. With 136 teams in the Bowl Subdivision, no two uniforms are ever the same, adding a layer of uniqueness to every school. Yet some stand out above the rest. Whether it's sticking to a traditional look or taking a bold risk to modernize the fit, there's a wide range of styles that have asserted themselves among the best in college football. It only takes one quick look to recognize what team is on the screen and realize there aren't many looks that can top it. USA TODAY ALL-AMERICANS: Preseason team includes Ohio State standout So which college football uniforms are the best? They have certainly evolved over the 21st century. Gone are the days of just two uniform sets, with nearly every team having a plethora of alternate options or special editions. With so many possible styles, USA TODAY Sports will base its rankings on the primary home and away uniforms. It's no coincidence that most of the teams leading the uniform rankings are among the most successful in the sport. Whether it's the crisp jersey design or the unforgettable helmet decal, these uniforms have been featured in some of the most iconic moments in the sport, thus propelling them into a nationally recognizable style. TOP 25 STADIUM RANKINGS: Who has the best college football stadium? 25. Colorado The Buffaloes have gone through several uniform combinations — especially under Deion Sanders — that have been solid, but the classic black and gold look is still elite, especially with the Ralphie logo serving among the best in the sport. 24. Georgia The Bulldogs have been the premier program in the sport this decade and have a sharp-enough look, but there's nothing remarkable about it. Having a nearly identical logo to the Green Bay Packers doesn't help, either. 23. San Diego State One of the most distinct uniforms in college football, the attention to detail of the Aztec calendar on the helmets and shoulders is second to none. While it looks great up close, it can be tough to see from afar. 22. Hawaii The Rainbow Warriors would be much higher if they lived up to their name and went back to their more colorful uniform template, but things aren't bad as they stand. If nothing else, they evoke memories of staying up late to watch Timmy Chang and Colt Brennan. 21. Mississippi The script "Ole Miss" is a beauty, and it was a massive success for Mississippi to add the powder blue sets, which wouldn't be an issue if they became the primary uniforms. The powder blue helmet also works with any jersey. 20. Tennessee The Vols are one of the preeminent brands in college football, with their checkered end zones and Power T logo giving them a distinct identity. But, man, there's only so much you can do with that pukish, obnoxious shade of orange. 19. Kansas State Bill Snyder brought in the "Powercat" logo to usher in a new identity when he took over Kansas State in 1989. Now it's synonymous with the legendary coach every time it takes the field, and it helps purple and silver mix so well. 18. Miami The Hurricanes' jerseys and their distinctive "U" logo will always mean something to multiple generations of fans who watched Miami become a dynasty. They've been at the mercy of some bizarre designs from Adidas, but their overall look has endured. 17. Nebraska The Cornhuskers have had some alternate looks most traditional fans really disapproved of, and it makes sense given how the home and road uniform has stood the test of time. The "Winning Tradition" patch is also a great touch to the team's history, even if there hasn't been a whole lot of winning recently. 16. Tulane Perhaps no school at the FBS level has a better color combination than the Green Wave's dark green and blue, which it puts to good use in some gorgeous uniforms. It doesn't hurt that the "Angry Wave," which the school adopted as its primary athletic mark in 2017, is one of the best logos in college sports. REQUIRED READING: The best college football weekend could feature seven games with ranked teams 15. Florida If not broken, why fix it? Florida's signature orange helmet has been around for more than 45 years and it looks just as good. Normally, it's strange to have different color helmet, jersey and pants, but it looks crisp every time the Gators take the field. 14. North Carolina It's hard to ever go wrong with Carolina blue and white as primary colors, especially with the argyle design of the school's basketball uniforms incorporated in the design. It's fair to wonder how Bill Belichick will fare as a college head coach, but at the very least, his Tar Heels teams are going to look good. 13. Florida State There aren't many things more intimidating than seeing the helmets with the iconic spear with the home crowd taking part in the Seminole War Chant. While it's a phenomenal look, Florida State also deserves bonus points for incorporating several elements of Seminole culture. 12. Penn State The Nittany Lions' uniforms are proudly understated, so much so that there was some blowback when player names were added to the back of jerseys by former coach Bill O'Brien to honor players who stuck with the program through the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Is it possible they're just a little too plain, though? 11. Alabama Much like Penn State, Alabama's look is pretty plain, but it has become synonymous with success and a scary sight to see for whoever is lined up against them. What elevates the Crimson Tide are the helmet numbers, giving a unique touch to every player and becoming part of the legacy of several stars to play in Tuscaloosa. BOLD PREDICTIONS: Seven 2025 college football scenarios that aren't crazy 10. Pittsburgh The Panthers made the wise choice six years ago to ditch navy blue and gold for their more traditional blue and yellow combination, which gives them some of the best, most distinct uniforms in the sport. The only real knock is the jersey font, with pointed numbers that are a nod to the school's Cathedral of Learning. The thought behind it is good, but basic is sometimes better. 9. Oklahoma There's nothing flashy about Oklahoma's uniforms, but the interlocking "OU" and Sooners across the chest is such a powerful look. The Sooners also have one of the best shades of red that isn't too dark or too bright, making it look beautiful day and night. 8. Oregon For the better part of 30 years, the Ducks have been a walking Nike billboard, with what feels like an infinite number of uniform possibilities. Though there have been some misses along the way, they hit far more often than they miss with some of the most daring and innovative looks in the sport. 7. UCLA The distinct shade of blue, perfect shoulder stripes and iconic script logo given the Bruins one of the best uniforms for decades, joining the already picturesque shots of the Rose Bowl. The switch to Jordan Brand has elevated this signature look further with a gold helmet and numbers that really shine. 6. LSU Though they also have a rarely worn purple jersey, the Tigers might have the best individual uniform combo in the sport, with white jerseys, yellow pants and their yellow helmet. You can practically hear 100,000 alcohol-and-gumbo-soaked fans screaming in Death Valley whenever you see that get-up. 5. Southern California Countless football legends have donned the perfect blend of cardinal and gold, and they have looked clean when playing in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojan decal on the helmet that really isn't part of USC's logo identity, but it has become the signature of the football team. 4. Texas For all their conference titles and national championships, the Longhorns' biggest accomplishment might be finding a shade of orange that actually looks good. The understated helmets with the longhorn silhouette screams college football. 3. Ohio State A uniform that changes every week? Ohio State awards players helmet stickers for performance, and Buckeye stickers are the top ones in the sport. Seeing helmets filled with them is always a guarantee by the end of the season with Ohio State constantly in the conversation for national championships. Plus, the helmets shine and the scarlet and gray looks pristine. 2. Notre Dame While Notre Dame's mythology can be nauseating to some, the Fighting Irish's jerseys are as clean as they are iconic. The helmets containing 23.9 karat gold is a beautiful touch and are a nod to the Golden Dome that adorns the Main Building on its campus. 1. Michigan The most iconic look in college football: The maize and blue looks perfect together, and what really cements the Wolverines' spot at the top is the signature winged helmet that's often duplicated, but never replicated. The uniforms just scream football, so hail to the victors of college football uniform supremacy. PATH TO PLAYOFF: Sign up for our college football newsletter