Clemson's football season opener against LSU, slated for September 5, 2026, has been pushed back after a forecast of severe thunderstorms in Baton Rouge threatened to disrupt the scheduled kickoff time.
Forecast Calls for Later Kickoff
The Weather Channel predicts a 73 percent chance of thunderstorms at 7 p.m. and a 75 percent chance at 8 p.m., creating a significant delay for the game that was originally set to begin at the traditional early evening slot.
Neither team had taken the field for warm‑up before the postponement, leaving players and staff waiting in the locker rooms as the storm front moved in, adding an unusual pause to what is already a highly anticipated matchup.
The contest will be televised nationally on ABC, with veteran commentators Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit calling the action, while Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge provide sideline reporting, and local radio partners the Clemson Athletic Network, ESPN Radio, and others deliver live commentary. Clemson beat reporter Nick Coppola of The Greenville News and the USA Today Network is also on hand.
Historically, Clemson enters Tiger Stadium with a 1‑4 record against LSU, their sole victory coming in the 2012 Chick‑fil‑A Bowl, underscoring the challenge that awaits the Tigers as they travel to the iconic venue for the first time.
Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as the delayed kickoff approaches, hopeful that the weather will clear in time for a clean start to what promises to be a pivotal early‑season showdown.