For the fifth time this year, the Clemson Tigers will take part in a primetime kick, or later. On Monday, it was announced that Clemson's next ACC home game versus the Virginia Tech Hokies will be under the bright lights. While the kickoff time and TV channel are still being decided, it will be either a 7:00 p.m. ET or a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on either ESPN or ESPN2. It will be another late night for Clemson.
Not only will Clemson be playing one of its most important games the rest of the way after the sun goes down in this one, but it will be the Tigers' first crack at James Franklin since he took over in Blacksburg. This probably played a huge part in this game between two so-so ACC teams playing in primetime midway through the season. Franklin's Death Valley debut will certainly gather eyeballs.
Clemson will presumably enter the Week 8 kickoff at 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in ACC play. This has everything to do with the Tigers hosting FCS Charleston Southern on early Saturday afternoon this weekend. Virginia Tech is 4-2 on the season, but it is riding a two-game skid in league play. With close losses to Pittsburgh and at Cal, the Hokies must stop the bleeding versus Georgia Tech on Saturday.
News: Next week's Clemson vs. Virginia Tech football game will be a night kickoff at Memorial Stadium. The ACC says the game will start at 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2. Final kick time and network designation to come after this Saturday's slate
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) October 12, 2026
Clemson may have a few distinct advantages over Virginia Tech in Week 8
For a team that we are not entirely sure is all that good, Clemson plays in so many night games. While the persistently late-night kicks are getting old, Tigers fans should view this game optimistically for a handful of reasons. The first is all the pressure will be on Franklin's program coming in. Imagine if the Hokies were to start out 0-3 in ACC play under their new coach. It would be so very Penn State of him.
Another reason has to be the level of competition each team will be playing the Saturday prior. While Georgia Tech is nothing to write home about, the Yellow Jackets are a Power Four team capable of hanging tough with anyone they face. Look no further than them taking down previously undefeated Duke at home last week. Virginia Tech may have won four in a row to start, but that may be fool's gold.
For the third and final reason, Clemson is far more comfortable with being uncomfortable than most of the other teams it will face. The Tigers have played in so many night games. They have played on the road at Cal well past their bedtime, and won. Virginia Tech got to play Cal earlier in the day over in Berkeley, and still lost by a late score. If one of these head coaches is going to blink, it will be Franklin.
One other factor to consider is Virginia Tech's two losses were decided by a touchdown or less. We all remember the late missed field goal versus Pitt, but Cal punched it in late to seal the deal at home last Saturday. Simply put, Virginia Tech does not seem all that locked in during crucial moments under Franklin. While Clemson gets blown out by better teams, Dabo Swinney's team wins when it is close.
With the way Virginia Tech has played lately, Clemson may be better equipped to get this ACC victory.
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