Clemson’s Oct. 24 home matchup with Virginia Tech is headed for a prime-time window.
The ACC announced Monday that the Tigers’ game against the Hokies at Memorial Stadium will kick off either at 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. The broadcast will land on either ESPN or ESPN2, with the final time and network to be set after Saturday’s games.
The opponent brings an interesting wrinkle for Clemson: Virginia Tech made a coaching change in November, moving on from Brent Pry and hiring former Penn State coach James Franklin after his 12 seasons in Happy Valley. Franklin piled up 104 wins at Penn State, reached six 10-win seasons, captured a 2016 Big Ten title and guided the Nittany Lions to the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinals. He was dismissed last year after his preseason No. 2 team opened 0-3 in Big Ten play.
The Hokies, who are 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the ACC, will also be making their first road trip to Clemson since 2012. They host Georgia Tech in Blacksburg on Saturday and are favored by 10 points.
Clemson enters the week at 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the ACC. Dabo Swinney’s team hosts FCS Charleston Southern on Saturday at noon on ACC Network.
When Virginia Tech and Clemson meet in two weeks, ESPN’s analytics gives the Tigers a 56.6% chance to win. Clemson has taken seven straight against the Hokies.
The late start also keeps Clemson’s run of night games rolling. The 2026 Tigers were already the first Clemson team in 75 years to open with four night kickoffs in their first five games, a streak that dates back to 1951. The Virginia Tech game will be Clemson’s sixth night kickoff in eight games.
Clemson’s remaining schedule also includes Oct. 31 at Florida State, Nov. 7 at Syracuse, Nov. 14 against Georgia Tech, a Friday night trip to Duke on Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN, and the regular-season finale against South Carolina on Nov. 28.
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For the Hokies, it will also be a noteworthy first look at Death Valley for James Franklin as head coach, adding another layer to a game that figures to test more than just talent. Clemsons recent form and experience in night games should matter, too, and with the start time and TV channel still to be finalized, there is still some room for the atmosphere to build before the teams ever take the field. [Read more 🡒]
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The mens side brought a far different reaction, since South Carolina was picked to finish last in the SEC preseason media poll. It is the kind of early forecast that can sharpen the contrast inside the program and across the rivalry landscape, especially with one roster carrying championship expectations and the other already being handed a long climb before the season even begins. [Read more 🡒]