NCAA missed with Monday Championship Game

YES, I understand they want it to be the only thing on Monday night primetime. I understand wanting a captive TV audience. My contention is that there will be nobody tuning in Monday night just because its the only thing on.

I think the NCAA could have sold "Championship Saturday" or some other trendy media/marketing name for Saturday at 5:30 or 7:30 EST. That would keep the east coast in it to the end while not starting too early for the West coast and the central time zone is perfect like always.
Build the hype like the Super Bowl. People could stage watch parties and make a day of it like Super Bowl Sunday. I think you would garner more casual fans because there would be more of a party/tailgate atmosphere like the Super Bowl so folks would be more likely to tag along to so and so's party and happen to watch while eatin' up their friends 7 layer dip and sloggin' down their brew.
I would suppose most responsible employed people in the east are truly interested but because of the 8:40 start and 12-1 finish time on a Monday night, probably will not make it to the end or go out and spend $ at a bar or restaurant because its Monday and they have to be back at the grind Tuesday morning.
If you flop that game to an early evening on a Saturday (traditionally where college football belongs) I think you create more of an event than a game. Only 1 fan's Opinion.