Deshaun Watson Clemson Tigers
Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers have 16 days off in between games. Getty

No.6 Notre Dame and No.12 Clemson are set to play on Saturday night in a game with heavy playoff implications, but Mother Nature could play a role in the outcome. Heavy rain is expected in Death Valley as the Fighting Irish and Tigers do battle in one of the biggest games of the young college football season.

The idea of moving the start time has been considered, and the kickoff has already been changed for two Big Ten games. But the contest is still set to air in primetime, despite the predicted weather.

One college football game has already been canceled this season because of inclement weather. LSU canceled their season opener against McNeese State on Sept. 5 less than five minutes into the game.

Notre Dame is looking to start the year with five straight wins for a second consecutive season. Last year, the Irish won six games before picking up their first loss, though they lost five out of six contests before their bowl game. Clemson last won their first four games in 2013.

Each team is looking for their first marquee win of the season. Only one of their seven combined opponents hasn’t lost at least two games.

“We take great pride in the schedule that we put together and feel like it will stand up to scrutiny,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said, via espn.com. “Our schedule has to do the talking for us.”

Clemson is one of the toughest places for visiting teams to play at, but the contest is basically considered to be a tossup by oddsmakers. The betting line was a pick’em earlier in the week, and the Tigers are 1.5-point favorites, according to vegasinsider.com.

The over/under is 51 points. Notre Dame hasn’t scored less than 30 points in any of their four games. Clemson totaled 20 points in their last game after having scored 90 total points in their first two contests.

Start Time: 8 p.m. ET

TV Channel: ABC

Online Stream: WatchESPN

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