Dabo Swinney – Page 4 – Syndication Server

Clemson vs. Nick Saban led Alabama is the all-time College Football Playoff rivalry

With Nick Saban retiring, we reflect on the Clemson vs. Alabama College Football Playoff rivalry.

For a period of the College Football Playoff era, the question was, Clemson or Alabama?

There is no denying that in the early stages of the CFP era, the best-developed rivalry was the one between Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers and Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide. The two programs had some of the best battles you’ll see, and their history is intertwined together through these classic matchups.

Things look a lot different for both programs nowadays, with reports released that Saban will be retiring from football after what could be the best coaching career in college football history. It came as a shock to many, but Saban’s time as a coach has come to an end.

With Saban stepping away, we wanted to reflect on what is the best College Football Playoff rivalry of all time, Clemson vs. Alabama.

– Updated to add information 11/29

Dabo Swinney says Clemson ‘will be ready’ if they make the College Football Playoff

Swinney and the Tigers will be ready.

This year, the matchup between Clemson and South Carolina means a little more with the Tigers’ playoff hopes in the balance.

Clemson heads into this weekend with a pivotal opportunity that could shape its postseason. Currently ranked No. 12, the Tigers (9-2) need a win over No. 15 South Carolina to remain in the hunt for an at-large College Football Playoff berth. However, their path could shift if Syracuse upsets No. 6 Miami, potentially vaulting Clemson into the ACC Championship Game.

Head coach Dabo Swinney has made his preference very clear: to win the ACC title, to get that first-round bye, and to give his injury-ravaged team some real rest. “It would be ideal,” Swinney said, not disguising the injuries that have taken place. The Tigers have lost six offensive linemen this season and will lose reserve Trent Howard, who tore his ACL this week.

While Swinney prefers a title game scenario, he’s prepared for whatever. “We’ll take whatever we can get and be ready,” he said. Still, the Tigers’ clash with South Carolina and Miami’s performance against Syracuse will collectively determine Clemson’s fate. Every Saturday play carries significant weight for a team eager to return to championship contention.

How Clemson responds to being under pressure could very well define its postseason hopes during a wild playoff race that seems to be full of surprises. The stakes are this high, and the Tigers must balance their ambitions for a league title with their ultimate goal of reclaiming a spot among college football’s elite.

USA TODAY Sports experts torn on predicting Clemson vs South Carolina winner

Here’s who USA TODAY Sports experts think will win Saturday’s game between Clemson and South Carolina.

It’s officially Rivalry Week in college football, which means the Clemson Tigers are facing their bitter rivals, the South Carolina Gamecocks in Week 14 action Saturday in Death Valley.

Clemson (9-2 overall, 7-1 ACC) is coming off a 51-14 win over The Citadel. Cade Klubnik threw for 198 yards and three touchdowns on 12-of-16 passing. Antonio Williams caught five passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns, giving him four in the last two games.

The Tigers were one of the biggest risers in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings, moving up five spots to No. 12 after a chaotic Week 13 that saw several teams ranked ahead of them suffer an upset loss, including three from the SEC: Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.

South Carolina (8-3 overall, 5-3 SEC) was another team that rose in the CFP rankings this week, moving up three spots to No. 15. Behind redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers, the Gamecocks are ranked No. 14 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll.

ESPN Analytics’ updated Matchup Predictor currently gives Clemson a 56.8 percent chance to beat South Carolina.

But not everyone agrees with that math. On Wednesday, USA TODAY Sports’ college football experts released their predictions for every Top 25 team in Week 14, including Clemson vs. South Carolina. Only two members of the six-man panel, Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith, picked the Tigers to win the 2024 Palmetto Bowl.

Dan Wolken, Eddie Timanus, Scooby Axson and Jordan Mendoza picked South Carolina to pull the upset.

The Tigers have won eight of the last nine in the series, including last year’s 16-7 win in Columbia. South Carolina upset Clemson, 31-30, in the Gamecocks’ last visit to Death Valley in 2022, handing the Tigers their second loss of the season and squashing any faint hopes Clemson had of reaching the four-team Playoff.

Clemson will need a win vs. South Carolina and some help to reach the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. For one, if the Miami Hurricanes slip up on the road Saturday at Syracuse, Clemson would head to the ACC Championship Game to face the SMU Mustangs.

Barring that, and Miami beats Syracuse, the Tigers would need some more chaos to move into a position to grab an at-large berth. If Miami loses to SMU in the ACC title game, that could open a door for Clemson to sneak into the playoff field.

The Tigers would also stand to benefit from a Tennessee loss at Vanderbilt Saturday or a Notre Dame loss at Southern Carolina, among others. Whatever happens, there’s been no shortage of madness this season, and there could be some still to unfold.

Kickoff for Clemson vs. South Carolina is set for noon ET Saturday. The game can be seen on ESPN.

Clemson leads the all-time series with South Carolina, 73-43-4. Dabo Swinney is 9-6 against the Gamecocks as Tigers head coach.

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Dabo Swinney on the large number of decommitments in Clemson’s 2024 recruiting class

Swinny talks Clemson’s decommitments.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program are having a brutal time with decommitments in their 2024 recruiting class, as the new era of college football recruiting and NIL having some big impacts on the Tigers upcoming class.

Times are changing fast and Swinney’s program seems to be at the forefront of some of the negatives of these recent changes. Following Wednesday’s practice, Swinney addressed questions about the six decommitments in the current recruiting class.

“It’s just 2024,” Swinney said on his weekly Zoom call. “It doesn’t happen a lot here. Hopefully, it won’t happen a lot once we get into a little bit more of a normal environment. Hopefully, it will be a rare thing. I do think, no matter what, it would be something that, unfortunately, will be a little more common for everyone.”

Swinney hopes the upcoming House Settlement will bring clarity and consistency to recruiting regulations, addressing challenges amplified by NIL and the transfer portal. The change should benefit the Tigers in the long run compared to what we are seeing right now.

Clemson 2024 class is definitely an interesting case.

Clemson football flips recruit, lands class of 2025 QB Chris Denson

Clemson flips a class of 2025 quarterback.

With Cade Klubnik expected to return for his senior year in 2025, the Clemson Tigers have added some depth to their quarterback room for 2026.

On Tuesday, Dabo Swinney’s Tigers flipped class of 2025 QB Chris Denson, a three-star recruit from Plant City (Fla.) High School that had previously committed to Coastal Carolina.

Denson is currently ranked the 27th-best quarterback recruit in the nation for the class of 2025 by On3. Listed as 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Denson had received offers from South Florida, Florida Atlantic and the Pitt Panthers.

Back in October, class of 2025 four-star quarterback Blake Hebert flipped his Clemson pledge to Notre Dame. After Hebert decommitted, Swinney reiterated the Tigers’ plan to recruit a quarterback with each class.

“We try and take a quarterback every year,” Swinney said. “We love the three quarterbacks we have. They are pretty good. Very few people have three quarterbacks they can win with. If you’ve got three quarterbacks today that you can win with, you’re in good shape.

“We didn’t take one in ’24 because that was our plan with (Christopher Vizzina),” Swinney added. “He was 17. Hey, here’s kind of the plan and it’s kind of working out really good. He’s a very good player and gonna be really good I think.”

With the addition of Denson, Clemson now has 14 recruits for the class of 2025, which is currently ranked No. 19 nationally by On3, No. 25 by ESPN and No. 26 by 247Sports.

Over the weekend, the Tigers suffered a big blow to their 2025 class when four-star cornerback Tae Harris flipped from Clemson to ACC rival Georgia Tech.

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Dabo Swinney asked about the SEC being more deserving than the ACC narrative for the CFP

Swinney on the SEC bias over the ACC.

With six teams ahead of Clemson football losing on Saturday, the now-No. 12 Tigers have an actual chance at an at-large College Football Playoff berth if they can take down No. 16 South Carolina this weekend. However, ESPN is pushing a narrative in favor of three-loss teams such as Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M over Clemson in this week’s upcoming CFP rankings.

Asked about this during his Sunday teleconference, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney downplayed the talk. “It does not matter if we do not win the [South Carolina] game,” he said. “We just need to go win this game this week. All this stuff will take care of itself.”

Swinney was a bit more pointed in an interview with the CBS Pre-game show on Saturday, citing perceived SEC and Big Ten favoritism. “We have been in four national championships, have won two, have the second most playoff wins, and have won eight league titles in twelve years,” he said. “We literally have an SEC Big Ten Invitational in college football.”

With its CFP stakes, Saturday’s 121st meeting between Clemson and South Carolina-coming in at 9-2 and 8-3, respectively-is being framed as one of the most significant in the rivalry. “We kind of need to lock in and win one more game and see what happens,” Swinney said. Kickoff is set for noon on ESPN, with Clemson seeking a pivotal win entering Memorial Stadium.

Clemson makes huge jump in Week 13 US LBM Coaches Poll after massive upsets

Here’s where Clemson ranks in the Week 13 US LBM Coaches Poll, released Sunday.

After a Week 13 filled with wild Top 25 upsets, the Clemson Tigers surged in the new US LBM Coaches Poll, released Sunday.

Clemson (9-2 overall) rose four spots to No. 12 in the Week 13 Coaches Poll. The Tigers are ranked one spot below No. 11 Boise State (10-1) and are one spot ahead of the No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-3).

Cade Klubnik and the Tigers defeated The Citadel, 51-14, Saturday on Senior Day in Death Valley. Dabo Swinney’s team certainly got some help from other teams to move up; four teams that were ranked ahead of Clemson lost, three of which were SEC teams.

Previously seventh-ranked Alabama suffered a stunning 24-3 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners Saturday, while the Ole Miss Rebels (then No. 9) fell 24-17 to the Florida Gators. The Texas A&M Aggies (previously No. 14) fell 43-41 in four overtimes to the Auburn Tigers.

South Carolina (8-3) was another big riser in this week’s Coaches Poll. LaNorris Sellers and the Gamecocks moved up five spots to land two spots below Clemson at No. 14. The Tigers and Gamecocks will meet next Saturday in Death Valley with Clemson looking for some last-minute help to get to the ACC title game.

Kickoff for Clemson vs. South Carolina is set for noon ET. The game will be televised on ESPN.

The Miami Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1) rose three spots to No. 7 after scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter to put away Wake Forest, 42-14. ACC leader SMU (10-1, 7-0) moved up three spots to No. 9, jumping into the Top 10 for the first time this season.

With a 33-7 win over the Virginia Cavaliers Saturday, SMU clinched a berth in the ACC Championship Game. Clemson will need a Syracuse upset of Miami next Saturday to reach Charlotte.

The top four of the poll remained the same with the Oregon Ducks (11-0) at No. 1 for the sixth straight week after a Week 13 bye. The Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1) stayed at No. 2 after a convincing 38-15 win over the previously unbeaten Indiana Hoosiers (10-1) in Columbus. Indiana fell five spots from No. 5 to No. 10.

The Texas Longhorns (10-1) stayed at No. 3 after their 31-14 win over the Kentucky Wildcats in Austin. Penn State (10-1) remained No. 4 after a narrow 26-25 win at Minnesota. Notre Dame (10-1) moved up to No. 5 after a 49-14 win over previously unbeaten Army (9-1).

Full Week 13 US LBM Coaches Poll

Rank	Team	Record	Points
1	Oregon Ducks	11-0	1,375 (55)
2	Ohio State Buckeyes	10-1	1,318
3	Texas Longhorns	10-1	1,267
4	Penn State Nittany Lions	10-1	1,175
5	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	10-1	1,150
6	Georgia Bulldogs	9-2	1,103
7	Miami Hurricanes	10-1	1,023
8	Tennessee Volunteers	9-2	972
9	SMU Mustangs	10-1	917
10	Indiana Hoosiers	10-1	867
11	Boise State Broncos	10-1	838
12	Clemson Tigers	9-2	780
13	Alabama Crimson Tide	8-3	621
14	South Carolina Gamecocks	8-3	596
15	Arizona State Sun Devils	9-2	592
16	Ole Miss Rebels	8-3	569
17	Iowa State Cyclones	9-2	473
18	Tulane Green Wave	9-2	434
19	Texas A&M Aggies	8-3	357
20	BYU Cougars	9-2	329
21	UNLV Rebels	9-2	205
22	Army Black Knights	9-1	165
23	Memphis Tigers	9-2	151
24	Missouri Tigers	8-3	148
25	Illinois Fighting Illini	8-3	132

Schools Dropped Out

No. 18 Colorado; No. 25 Kansas State

Others Receiving Votes

Kansas State 124; Colorado 115; Duke 31; Syracuse 19; Louisville 8; Louisiana 7; Washington State 6; LSU 3; Miami (OH) 1; James Madison 1; Iowa 1; Georgia Tech 1; Baylor 1

Dabo Swinney explains why TE Jake Briningstool didn’t play against The Citadel

Dabo Swinney on Jake Briningstool’s absence from Saturday’s game.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers had no issues taking down The Citadel 51-14 on Saturday, but the Tigers offense was unexpectedly missing a key piece for the matchup.

According to Swinney, the trainer’s decided to hold out star tight end Jake Briningstool. Swinney explained the situation, making it seem clear that Briningstool would be ready for rivalry week against South Carolina.

“He just wasn’t quite ready to go,” Swinney said. “He is just banged up. The trainers held him. He is day-to-day.I would say he is like, hour-to-hour. He is probably hour-to-hour.”

So far this season, Briningstool has recorded 38 catches for 403 yards and five touchdowns. The Tigers will need him against the Gamecocks

Dabo Swinney loves the work offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has done at Clemson

Swinney loves what he’s seen from Riley.

Clemson football’s offense has come a long way from where it started the season, and while it’s not yet perfect, head coach Dabo Swinney is encouraged by the progress as the Tigers prepare for The Citadel. The unit has been steadily climbing the national rankings, now sitting 10th in total offense at 460.7 yards per game and 14th in scoring offense 36.3 points per game.

“There’s a lot we can still clean up, but Garrett Riley has done a heck of a job,” Swinney said of his offensive coordinator. Swinney praised Riley’s understanding of Clemson’s system and personnel, calling the offensive staff’s efforts “really good.”

Quarterback Cade Klubnik has been a key beneficiary of Riley’s work, tallying 31 total touchdowns this season—ranking among the best in the country—and throwing for 2,563 yards, which places him 20th nationally. His 26 passing touchdowns have him tied for fourth in the nation and second in the ACC behind Miami’s Cam Ward.

While Swinney acknowledges some missed opportunities, particularly in a few slow starts, he believes the offensive strides are clear. “We’re much improved from last year, but we’re not done yet,” Swinney noted. “We have an opportunity to finish strong, and we’ll have a lot coming back next year.”

With an 8-2 record, Clemson will host The Citadel this Saturday before facing No. 18 South Carolina on November 30 in a regular-season finale that could be pivotal for building momentum heading into the postseason.

USA TODAY Sports experts’ predictions for Clemson vs. The Citadel, major Top 25 games

Here’s who USA TODAY Sports experts think will win Saturday’s game between Clemson and The Citadel, plus other Top 25 games that could impact the Tigers’ CFP chances.

After a late fourth-quarter rally to slip past the Pitt Panthers, the Clemson Tigers are taking on The Citadel in Week 13.

Clemson (8-2 overall, 7-1 conference) got a 50-yard Cade Klubnik touchdown run with 1:16 remaining, and Khalil Barnes’ game-sealing interception as time expired lifted the Tigers to a 24-20 win over Pittsburgh last Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.

Klubnik threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns to receiver Antonio Williams, who hauled in a career-high 13 catches for 149 yards. T.J. Parker tied a school record with four sacks to help keep Clemson’s slim College Football Playoff hopes alive.

Dabo Swinney’s Tigers are ranked No. 16 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll. In the updated CFP Rankings released Tuesday, Clemson rose three spots to No. 17. The Citadel is 5-6 and is coming off a 30-17 win at Wofford last Saturday.

On Thursday, USA TODAY Sports’ college football experts released their predictions for every Top 25 team in Week 13, including Clemson vs. The Citadel. To no surprise, the six-member panel of Dan Wolken, Paul Myerberg, Eddie Timanus, Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza and Erick Smith all picked the Tigers to win.

Kickoff for Clemson vs. The Citadel is set for 3:30 p.m ET at Clemson Memorial Stadium. The game can be seen on The CW. The Tigers will be wearing their iconic purple jerseys and matching pants to celebrate Military Appreciation Day.

Expert predictions: Are Miami and SMU shoo-ins for ACC title game?

Not necessarily, but the Hurricanes (9-1, 5-1) and Mustangs (9-1, 6-0) aren’t exactly closing out their respective regular seasons with a veritable Murderers’ Row of opponents.

Miami is at home this Saturday to take on Wake Forest, while SMU is in Charlottesville to take on Tony Elliott and the Virginia Cavaliers. Not surprisingly, the six USA TODAY Sports experts all favor Miami and SMU to win Saturday.

To reach the ACC title game, Clemson needs Miami to lose to either Wake Forest or Syracuse in its final two regular-season games, or for SMU to lose to both Virginia and California.

Experts’ picks for huge Week 13 Top 25 college football matchups

Three games this week feature teams that are both ranked in the Top 25 in this week’s polls. The biggest is in Columbus for the top five showdown between the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers and No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes.

Only one of USA TODAY Sports’ experts (Mendoza) picked Indiana to win. The Hoosiers are 10-0 for the first time in school history while Ohio State is 9-1 overall and No. 2 in the CFP rankings. Kickoff for Indiana-Ohio State set for noon ET (Fox).

Another matchup pitting Top 25 teams is at Yankee Stadium, which hosts No. 6 Notre Dame (9-1) and undefeated Army (No. 17, 9-0). All members of the six-man panel picked Riley Leonard and the Irish to win. Kickoff for Army-Notre Dame is at 7 p.m. ET (NBC).

In the Big 12, No. 15 BYU (9-1) visits No. 22 Arizona State (8-2). All six members of USA TODAY Sports’ panel picked the Sun Devils to beat BYU, a week after the Cougars suffered their first loss of the season in a 17-13 home upset against the Kansas Jayhawks.

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