@Ope3 yep nailed it. If anything, it’s worrisome.
Either has NBC going “damn, did we screw up with the Bug Ten??” or at least going “well, that shows you if it’s not one of the major programs, don’t put them on broadcast and expect ratings”.
In all honesty, for me personally …. I really don’t care that much about how much “ratings value” the Gophers games generate for the Big Ten (‘s TV deal). We’re never going to be a major ratings generator in of ourselves.
Casual CFB fans are very fickle like that. Doesn’t bother me. Let every Gopher game be on BTN for all I care. Comes through just the same for me.