Media Question: Coach Swinney, you’ve been so dominant in the ACC this year. This question is about what Ohio State had to face, what happens when you’re in a close game? What would you say about that? And people have criticized the ACC this year. What would you say about that? How strong is the league?
COACH SWINNEY: Well, we did have one close game against North Carolina and had to battle ourselves off to find a way to win. So we have had one close game. But at the end of the day, this is a new season. And both teams have earned their way here. It’s not easy to win. There’s only three undefeated teams out there. There’s a lot of leagues.
There’s no undefeated MAC or Sun Belt or Conference USA or any other league. I don’t care what league you’re in, it’s incredibly difficult to win, to win them all. And our league has got 10 bowl teams, has been very competitive. We’ve got a track record over the last nine years that kind of speaks for itself. And I think our team, in particular, has shown up with great focus and preparation each week with great respect for every opponent and have found a way to win.
So you can only play the schedule that you got, and that’s what we’ve done. And we’ve earned the right to get into postseason. And we know at this point, you’re playing the best of the best. It doesn’t really matter if you are ranked first, second, third, or fourth. This is the four best teams that has played throughout the season.
And these games are usually just a few plays. We know that the margin for error is very small and it’s going to take 60 minutes of great football to have a chance.
Media Question: How much have you seen Ohio State this year?
COACH SWINNEY: I have seen them several times, actually. I think they played a lot of noon games this year. I have had a chance to see them several times with the way our schedule has been. And it’s just impressive. I mean, impressive. Just built in the trenches.
They’re good up front on both sides. They’ve got as good a players there is in college football coming off the edge. Their quarterback has been amazing. They’ve got great skill outside and great backs that can run the ball. So this is a very complete team, very well coached. And it’s going to be a challenge.
Media Question: Dabo, maybe just a formality, I wanted to confirm is Braden Galloway available for the postseason and will you plan to use him, if so?
COACH SWINNEY: Yeah, still waiting on just confirmation of his clearance. So hopefully we’ll get that and if he’s available, we’ll use him.
Media Question: Dabo, wanted to ask you, you mentioned the game against North Carolina. What do you think it is that your team learned in that game, and in the first month of the season in general, that has allowed you guys to be as dominant as you were for the last two months?
COACH SWINNEY: Well, we were dominant those first four games, too — every game by a big margin. And then we had the one close game at North Carolina. We know the things that we affirmed, that is if you lose the turnover margin, and you don’t make the plays that are there, and the
other team is playing at a high level, you know you’re going to get everybody’s best.
You give up a couple of big plays. You don’t do the little things right, hit your gas, tackle, anybody can beat you. And for us, we were having too many turnovers, that’s the one thing, the first five games of the season. But really the first four, we really played extremely well — very, very well. And then the North Carolina game, we had a rough day. But we overcame and it was actually encouraging to see our guys respond.