If there was one benefit to the pandemic-altered schedule that Power 5 conferences had to adopt, it was the ACC agreeing to let Notre Dame temporarily become a member, ensuring a matchup with Clemson.
The Irish (6-0) are ranked No. 4 in the country and right on the bubble of the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2018 when Clemson walloped Notre Dame 30-3 in the semifinals. Typically an independent, the Irish have navigated their ACC schedule with ease, winning all but one of their games by multiple possessions. Despite its success, Notre Dame and Ian Book haven't been able to get the passing game going this year, averaging just 206 yards a game, only better than three other teams in the conference.
Instead the Irish have relied on a conference-leading defense that allows both the fewest points and fewest yards in the ACC. Notre Dame has given up just two touchdowns in its last three games and has held opponents to fewer than 335 yards of offense in five of six games.
MORE: Watch Clemson vs. Notre Dame live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
The obvious big news for No. 1 Clemson is that it will be without presumed No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence is still recovering from a positive COVID-19 test for the second straight game, forcing freshman D.J. Uiagalelei under center. Uiagalelei was one of the nation's top recruits and performed well in his first college start against Boston College last weekend, throwing for 342 yards and two touchdowns to go with 25 yards on the ground and another score.
Regardless of the outcome of this game, both teams are likely to play each other again in December's ACC Championship. The Irish bring in the nation's longest winning streak at 12 games and are 8-16-1 all-time against No. 1 ranked teams.
Here's everything you need to know to watch Clemson vs. Notre Dame on Saturday, including kickoff time, TV channels and more.
What channel is Clemson vs. Notre Dame on today?
- TV channel (national): NBC/USA Network
- Live stream: NBC Sports app, fuboTV
Clemson vs. Notre Dame will be broadcast live on NBC starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. NBC is the exclusive broadcast partner of Notre Dame football, with Mike Tirico and Tony Dungy on the call. Kathryn Tappen will be the sideline reporter. NBC on Saturday announced the game will move to the USA Network beginning at roughly 7:55 p.m. ET so it can air President-elect Joe Biden's acceptance speech. Once Biden's speech is concluded, the game will return to NBC.
NBC announces the Notre Dame-Clemson game will move to USA Network when Biden gives his speech tonight at 8 ET. pic.twitter.com/sHO4xZGR78
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 7, 2020
Clemson vs. Notre Dame start time
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 7
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
The matchup between the Irish and Tigers in South Bend will be the site of ESPN's College GameDay which airs 9 a.m. ET to noon. The game itself doesn't kick off until later that night at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.
Notre Dame football schedule 2020
| Week | Date | Game |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | Notre Dame 27, Duke 13 |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | Notre Dame 52, South Florida 0 |
| 3 | Oct. 10 | Notre Dame 42, Florida St. 26 |
| 4 | Oct. 17 | Notre Dame 12, Louisville 7 |
| 5 | Oct. 24 | Notre Dame 45, Pittsburgh 3 |
| 6 | Oct. 31 | Notre Dame 31, Georgia Tech 13 |
| 7 | Nov. 7 | vs. Clemson |
| 8 | Nov. 14 | at Boston College |
| 9 | Nov. 27 | at North Carolina |
| 10 | Dec. 5 | vs. Syracuse |
| 11 | Dec. 12 | at Wake Forest |
Clemson football schedule 2020
| Week | Date | Game |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | Clemson 37, Wake Forest 13 |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | Clemson 49, The Citadel 0 |
| 3 | Oct. 3 | Clemson 41, Virginia 23 |
| 4 | Oct. 10 | Clemson 42, Miami 17 |
| 5 | Oct. 17 | Clemson 73, Georgia Tech 7 |
| 6 | Oct. 24 | Clemson 47, Syracuse 21 |
| 7 | Oct. 31 | Clemson 34, Boston College 24 |
| 8 | Nov. 7 | at Notre Dame |
| 9 | Nov. 21 | at Florida State |
| 10 | Nov. 28 | vs. Pittsburgh |
| 11 | Dec. 5 | at Virginia Tech |