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What Dabo Swinney had to say about Clemson’s Sugar Bowl matchup vs. Ohio State
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In just a few days, we’re getting a rematch of the 2019 Fiesta Bowl, one of the best college football games of the season. On New Year’s Day, No. 2 Clemson (10-1) will take on No. 3 Ohio State (6-0) in the Sugar Bowl with a trip to the national title game on the line.
Ohio State is looking to avenge a heartbreaking loss to Clemson last season, while the Tigers are hoping to improve to 5-0 all-time against the Buckeyes. Two of those victories for Clemson have come under Dabo Swinney in the College Football Playoff.
On Monday morning, Swinney met with the media to talk about the upcoming matchup. He discussed what his team needed to do in order to beat Ohio State this season, addressed his No. 11 ranking of the Buckeyes in the Coaches Poll and talked about the strengths OSU brings to the field.
Here’s what Swinney had to say during Monday’s presser:
Right off the bat, Dabo Swinney gets asked about ranking Ohio State 11th in the Coaches Poll.
“There's no doubt, Ohio State is good enough to beat us, they're good enough to beat anybody,” but decided he wouldn't rank anyone who played fewer than nine games in top 10. pic.twitter.com/JqBcr6mroO
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 28, 2020
Dabo Swinney says he would have ranked any 6-0 team where he ranked #OhioState in final Coaches Poll. "People take it personal but it's nothing personal at all." Know it would be talked about. Adds, "I could probably run for governor in Michigan and have a pretty good chance."
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 28, 2020
Dabo went a good 5-6 minutes on voting Ohio State No. 11. Said it was nothing personal, just number of games played. "I could probably run for governor in Michigan and have a chance. I was not going to say, 'Let me put them here and do something I absolutely do not believe in.'"
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) December 28, 2020
Dabo on voting Ohio State No. 11 in Coaches Poll.
"I just don’t think it’s right that three teams have to play 13 games to be the champion and one team has to play eight."
And…
"It has zero to do with Ohio State."— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 28, 2020
Dabo Swinney described Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade as an “elite player.” Said he thinks Ohio State's defense is still “really, really good.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 28, 2020
Swinney said Clemson will have to play better this year than it did last year to beat Ohio State. Said the best thing they did last year was take care of the ball. (Yes, OSU fans, insert comment about negated scoop-and-score now.)
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) December 28, 2020
Dabo Swinney on Justin Fields: “He's a great football player. He's going to be a top-two pick, top-three pick, I can't imagine he wouldn't be. He can do it all.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 28, 2020
Dabo: "The best player in the country is Trevor Lawrence. To me, it’s not close. It’s not up to me. I don’t get a vote in the Heisman."
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 28, 2020
Dabo on Trevor Lawrence: “To me, he’s the epitome of the Heisman … I know it’s not a pro potential award, or a career award, but this is the best he’s been. The best player in the country is Trevor Lawrence. To me, it’s not close. Obviously I’m biased, but with good reason.”
— Marc Whiteman (@MarcWYFFNews4) December 28, 2020
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB