Clemson football is currently on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff field, but head coach Dabo Swinney is making a pretty clear case for why the Tigers belong inside.
At 9-2, Clemson boasts seven wins against Power 5 opponents, six of which came by double digits—a mark tied for first in the country. Swinney praised his team’s resilience and challenging schedule, including facing No. 1 Georgia to open the season. While that loss could hurt their résumé, Swinney defended the choice to play tough opponents, saying, “We could’ve played XYZ Group of 5 University, and now we’re sitting here instead of 9-2, we’re 10-1, and you’re having a different conversation, right?”
Swinney, confident of his unit’s ability to hold against anyone, did not shy from stating, “We’re a good football team. We’re not perfect. We’re flawed like everybody else, but we’re a team that I think can play with anybody in the country.” His standout performances only helped his pitch: Strong play from quarterback Cade Klubnik and linebacker Barrett Carter , who was a finalist for the Butkus Award. Looking ahead to Saturday’s game with South Carolina, Swinney called it a critical “playoff game” for both teams.
“When we go win this game and we’re 10-2, I don’t see how you can’t put us in.” For Clemson to make the CFP, it must first defeat South Carolina and then hope Miami loses at home to Syracuse to advance to the ACC Championship Game. A conference title would ensure Clemson one of the playoff’s five automatic berths. Reflecting on Clemson’s place in the national landscape, Swinney said, “We’ve been on the ‘rest of y’all’ team forever. but guess what? Check our records.
Versus all of them.” He added, “What’s been demonstrated is that if you do earn it, you’ll get the opportunity.” While Swinney is clear that Clemson’s postseason hopes depend on earning a victory this weekend, he remains optimistic about the Tigers’ credentials. “This is a Top 15 matchup, and it would be one of the best wins in the country, on anybody’s résumé, when you look at it,” he said. The blueprint for the future is fairly simple: win Saturday and, depending on how results shake out elsewhere, maybe secure a spot in the playoffs consistent with Clemson’s recent history.