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Clemson Football

Swinney: Clemson vs Alabama III is a "heavyweight matchup"

December 3, 2017
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During ESPN's coverage of College Football Playoff Selection Show, Dabo Swinney joined the group to talk about Clemson's third meeting with Alabama in the playoffs. Here's what Swinney had to say about several different topics.

On facing Alabama again:

"I think that they had a lot to consider but they put the best four teams in. Alabama has been the standard for a long time. We've had a couple of huge battles with them. It's been 25 years since I've been to the Sugar Bowl and it was with Alabama at that time. I think it's only fitting to have a chance to Atlanta, you gotta heavyweight matchup with Clemson and Alabama. It will be a great matchup."

"There are changes on both sides, lots of different personnel. The other difference is that we've been playing them in the national championship game, so this is the playoff semifinals. Both teams have more time to get ready for each other. It's Alabama-Clemson, it's going to be a heck of a game. I don't have any doubt."

On going to the Sugar Bowl:

"I'm thankful that we don't have to travel across the country. The Rose Bowl would have been awesome, but you lose another day of prep this year because the game has moved and the week is shortened. That was a challenge for us last year, but we ended up winning it. It was a challenge for sure. It's been 59 years since Clemson's been in the Sugar Bowl and we look forward to having a great trip there."

On winning consistently:

"The culture of our program. These guys expect to win because they put the work in. We have a preparation process that we believe in from January to now, and a weekly and a daily focus. We work hard to develop leadership because to me that's what it takes. Great chemistry, great leadership to have consistency. Then recruiting and developing your players. We've done a good job bringing the right guys to Clemson."

On how he would rank the teams:

"When I evaluate a team, for me, I just watch the tape. I can see pretty quickly how they are built. Especially from the inside out. What type of team they have in the trenches. If you are talking about the playoff teams and this being a selection process you know I think the goal is to get the four best teams. Conference championships should matter, but it can't be the "end-all" you might have a conference champion that's 9-3, 9-4 or whatever."

 

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Swinney: Clemson vs Alabama III is a "heavyweight matchup"

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