With Clemson sitting just outside the College Football Playoff picture, head coach Dabo Swinney passionately made the case for his team’s inclusion following their thrilling 24-20 victory over Pittsburgh this past weekend. His arguments were rooted in the team’s performance, resilience, and the overall strength of their schedule.
Making the Case for Clemson
Swinney emphasized the Tigers’ impressive overall record, standing at 8-2, with only one loss in conference play. “Well, I mean, we’re 8-2, you know,” he stated postgame. “It’s hard to win.” This sentiment echoed throughout his remarks, highlighting the challenges of competing at a high level in college football.
He pointed out that Clemson has faced tough opponents, with their two losses coming against teams currently ranked in the Top 20. “It’s a 17-team league, you know, and we’ve got one loss to a good team. You know, we didn’t have a great day that day. They were better than us,” Swinney explained. This context is crucial for understanding why the Tigers believe they deserve a shot at the playoff.
The Strength of the Roster
Swinney didn’t just focus on the numbers; he expressed confidence in the talent and growth of his players. “You know, we’ve got a great quarterback who, if you look at our quarterback? He’s right there with Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence statistically. He takes care of the ball, he makes big plays,” he noted. This comparison to past Clemson legends underscores the potential of the current roster.
He also highlighted the improvement of the skill positions, stating, “We’ve got dudes who are getting better every week at our skill positions. We’ve got some young guys that are just blossoming.” The defense, too, has been a strong point, playing at a high level throughout the season. Swinney’s enthusiasm for his team was palpable as he discussed their journey and development.
Overcoming Adversity
Clemson’s journey has not been without its challenges. Swinney acknowledged the hurdles his team has faced, saying, “You know, I think we’ve got a team that’s really kind of just finding their way right now. We’ve overcome a ton…You’ve just kids just stepping up all over the place.” This resilience is a testament to the character and determination of the players, who have shown they can rise to the occasion.
The coach praised his players’ heart and toughness, emphasizing, “These kids have got a lot of heart, they’ve got a lot of toughness, you know. We’re a team that believes. You know, I think they can play with anybody on any given day.” This belief is crucial as they approach the final stretch of the season.
Current Rankings and Future Prospects
As it stands, Clemson is ranked No. 20 in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings. While they are in a position to potentially move up in the standings, they still face an uphill battle. Swinney pointed out that even if they win out and finish the season at 10-2, they might still miss out on the playoff. “Simply, Clemson can win out, finish at 10-2, and still miss the College Football Playoff,” he said.
This reality is why Swinney urged his team to focus on their performance rather than the external noise surrounding playoff discussions. “You know, hey, again, we don’t worry about it. You know, we don’t control what other people say and do and all that stuff. All we can do is just go try to keep playing,” he stated.
Staying Focused on the Goal
Clemson’s path to the playoff is not solely in their hands; they need favorable outcomes from other games as well. “A lot can happen. I don’t know what’s happened today but a lot can happen in college football on any given weekend. So we’ve just got to keep battling and, you know, we’ll see what happens,” Swinney remarked. This perspective is essential for maintaining focus and motivation as they prepare for their upcoming games.
Swinney’s faith in his team was evident when he said, “You know, I believe, what God’s got for you, he’s got for you. So, you know, we’ve just got to stay locked in on what we’re doing and we’ll see how it all plays out.” This mindset is crucial for a team that has aspirations of making a deep playoff run.
Why Clemson Deserves a Shot
Swinney firmly believes that Clemson has earned the right to be considered for the playoff. “Why not? Why not? I mean, it’s hard to win. It’s hard to win. We’re 8-2. We’ve got one freakin’ loss in this league. We don’t play the other team that’s undefeated,” he argued. His passion for the game and his team was evident as he spoke about their potential.
He concluded with a rallying cry for his players, saying, “I mean, listen. We’re in the fight. That’s all you can ask for. I mean, we’re in the fight. You know, we had the chance to control our destiny. We need a little bit of help. All we can do is just take care of our business. We’ve got a chance to finish 10-2, you know.”
Clemson’s journey continues, and with a few favorable outcomes, Swinney believes they could very well find themselves in the playoff conversation, ready to compete on the national stage once again.
