Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney had some comments Ohio State fans aren’t going to like. While appearing on the Rich Eisen Show, Swinney was asked what he thinks about Ohio State getting a shot at the College Football Playoff despite only playing at most six games.
His answer had more disclaimers than a credit card terms and conditions pamphlet, but it’s not too difficult to pull out the fact that he doesn’t believe the Buckeyes have done enough to be included in all the fun.
“Obviously, that’s a tough question to answer in my position because we feel like we’re definitely one of the best four teams in the country, and there’s nothing that’s going to happen in that game next week for Clemson or Notre Dame that’s going to change that in my opinion, and that’s based on data,” Swinney said. “It’s almost like you’ve got to have 120 hours to get a business degree and yet these people over here only need 60 hours to get a business degree.”
What? OK Dabo. He continued to ramble on.
“I think any time you step in between the lines, the game of football, there’s a lot that can happen. A lot. I mean, heck, in 2017, we lost to a three-win or four-win Syracuse team and still went to the Playoffs. So anything can happen. Guys can get hurt. There’s a lot. So I think the fact that we’re going to have 11 games as well as the SEC teams — I mean, you look at Florida and Texas A&M and Alabama. I mean, these teams are going to have 11 games this year.”
“Obviously, as coaches, we don’t control any of that stuff. So I do think that our team has played incredibly well. We had a double-overtime loss at the No. 2 team in the country now in Notre Dame, who’s a great team and an unbelievable game. Again, no matter what happens for Notre Dame or Clemson, nothing changes in my mind, as far as both of these teams being in the top four.”
Of course, Swinney’s comments are self-serving. Clemson sits just ahead of Ohio State at No. 3 with one-loss already. It’ll get a chance to redeem the one lone loss it has when it takes on No. 2 Notre Dame in the ACC Championship Game. If the Tigers were to lose, it would be two-losses, putting the Tigers’ shot at the College Football Playoff in peril, especially if it’s a loss with Trevor Lawrence back under center. Right now, Clemson is getting a bit of a pass from the Committee because of Lawrence’s absence the first time around.
There are other teams as well knocking on the door. Texas A&M and Florida are sitting just behind the Buckeyes with more games played. Swinney says he wouldn’t have an issue with it but really said he would. Yeah, try to stay with us here.
“I wouldn’t have an issue with it because, again, it’s not my position to have an issue with it. My position is to coach my team, regardless of whoever,” Swinney continued. “I just think there has to be some type of standard. I just think it would be, if I was on a committee, it would be hard for me to leave out a 10-1 Texas A&M or an 11-game Florida team over a team that’s played six games. That would be hard for me if I was on a committee, but I’m not on the committee. So it doesn’t really matter.”
OK Dabo. We’re not really sure what planet the Clemson coach has decided to live on lately, but he’s still taking up residence there apparently. Try coming back to Earth with the rest of us.
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