Clemson may be in the Eastern Time Zone, but the Tigers play so many late-night games. Through the first three weeks of the season, Clemson has had two primetime kicks and one early afternoon game. Fate would have it, all three were negatively impacted by lightning in the area. With Friday night's game at Cal being an incredibly late one, Clemson may potentially get a fourth late-night kick.
For as baffling as it is to see Clemson play Cal in Berkeley on a 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff on a Friday night, just imagine if the Tigers win that one into the wee hours on Saturday morning. It might be enough to flex their Week 5 home game with Miami into primetime. Since the Hurricanes are not playing anyone of note, all eyes are on Clemson this week. We can only hope that the lightning does not follow them.
The State's Chapel Fowler shared on Monday that if Clemson were to beat Cal, the chances of Miami at Clemson in Week 5 being played in primetime would skyrocket. The ACC has yet to announce a kickoff time for this game, opting to implement a "six-day hold", as well as for the Notre Dame at North Carolina game. UNC is on a bye this week. Once again, Clemson is holding all of the cards here.
If Clemson beats Cal on Friday, I'd imagine that boosts the chances of the Miami game being a night game -- or getting a placement like noon on ABC, which may not be as fan-friendly but is a good one for TV revenue $ https://t.co/afVDTzrjbF
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) September 21, 2026
Tigers must prepare to be nocturnal animals with Miami start time in flux
This is the perfect example of being careful what you wish for. In years past, college football fans have begged for more night games, or really, no early kicks. Now that Clemson is heading into its third primetime start or later in four weeks, we are all so exhausted. Add in that Clemson has had well over six hours of weather delays so far, and you get the point. Maybe a noon kick with Miami works best?
Miami may not be overlooking Clemson coming in anymore, especially with a total cupcake of an opponent coming up for the Canes in Week 4 versus Central Michigan. However, we are long overdue for a Mario Cristobal special of a Hurricanes performance. Sleepwalking into Death Valley is never for the faint of heart. Of course, they know all too well about the challenges of playing Cal late at night.
Two years ago, Miami nearly lost to Cal in a similar early-season, late-night kick. While the Canes won 39-38, it just goes to show how challenging a spot it can be for even a good ACC team making the cross-country trip to Berkeley. So, in the event Clemson wins this one over the Golden Bears, expect for the Tigers to once again become nocturnal animals for the sake of ACC college football ratings.
In the end, this is what it is all about. Even in down years, Clemson draws better than most teams in the ACC. The Tigers are a huge revenue driver for the conference, but the league has suffered amid their recent downturn. Although things are trending up for them, another night game, followed by yet another night game, may be too much to handle. Clemson is doomed if they do, doomed if they don't.
Clemson may have East Coast ties, but may need to embrace its West Coast vibes to survive this.
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