Dabo Swinney Calls State of College Football 'Embarrassing' Ahead of LSU Opener

Clemson's preparation for LSU has taken Dabo Swinney to some unusual places this week.

The Cleveland Browns. The Dallas Cowboys. The New Orleans Saints. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With uncertainty surrounding potential late additions to LSU's roster ahead of Saturday's season opener, Swinney said Tuesday that Clemson has even studied NFL film while trying to prepare for what it might see in Baton Rouge.

“I've been spending this last week or so studying the Browns and the Cowboys and the Saints and the Bucs, trying to get ready,” Swinney said.

It's another example, in Swinney's view, of just how unusual the current college football landscape has become.

“I would just say it's kind of embarrassing,” Swinney said. “I mean, honestly, it's just embarrassing that that's where we are. And I don't blame the kids and people trying to take advantage of the system. I just think it's embarrassing where we are with college football.”

Swinney's criticism wasn't directed specifically at LSU, Lane Kiffin or the players involved. He said he doesn't blame people for taking advantage of opportunities the current system allows.

His frustration is with the system itself.

“We have no rules,” Swinney said. “There's no governance. I mean, it's a joke. There's zero rules.”

Swinney added that attempts to enforce rules have increasingly ended up in court.

“When you enforce rules, somebody just goes and finds a judge to say, ‘No, you can't enforce that rule,’” Swinney said. “So, I mean, never did I think I'd be living in an era like this, but that's where we are.”

Still, Swinney said the situation hasn't become a distraction as Clemson prepares for one of the country's most difficult opening assignments.

“I've lost zero sleep over that,” Swinney said. “I could care less.”

Instead, Clemson's attention remains on LSU.

“At the end of the day, our focus is on us,” Swinney said. “That's really all that matters. I can't control any of that stuff. I ain't worried about it.”

Clemson and LSU kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday in Baton Rouge.