Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will play Clemson (11-2, 8-0 ACC) in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 30.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney previewed the matchup Sunday.
“We are super excited to be heading back to the Orange Bowl,” Swinney said. “We’ve got a team that’s excited. Really proud of our guys, how they finished the season. To have the opportunity to play in this game is something that you really dream of. Especially here at Clemson, took 30 years to get back there when we got there in ’11, now to get back there for the fourth time in 12 years, I’m thankful that this team is going to get that experience, and our staff, because it is an iconic bowl experience, one that I know everyone will enjoy being a part of. Eric Poms, the entire Orange Bowl staff, they do an amazing job, as does everybody that’s affiliated with this bowl.
“Then you throw in the fact that you get a chance to compete against a team like Tennessee that may be the best team in the country this year. They are one of those teams that certainly can play with anybody. They showed that all year. It’s a great matchup. I know both teams, both fan bases, are super excited to see these teams compete on the field. We’re thankful for the opportunity, and again, really proud of our team for how they competed, to win this ACC championship, earn the right to get back to the Orange Bowl.”
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