Sugar Bowl week is underway.
Four days before the long-awaited rematch of Ohio State-Clemson in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney joined the media for a Zoom press conference to preview the Sugar Bowl and of course questions about his decision to rank Ohio. State 11th in the Coaches Poll.
We have below updates from Swinney, with comments from defense coordinator Brent Venables who will be following up shortly after his press conference at noon.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and several players are scheduled to speak this afternoon, so come back in later for full coverage of the Buckeye portion of the day.
A summary of Swinney’s comments:
Dabo Swinney
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About the Sugar Bowl: “It’s getting close. It’s kind of a Wednesday (preparatory) for us here in Clemson. I think it’s a Monday everywhere else.” This is a chance for Clemson to win a Sugar Bowl, which has never happened before.
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On the vote in the state of Ohio in his poll: “It’s a big deal because we have to play it. There’s no doubt that the state of Ohio is good enough to beat us. They’re good enough to beat one. of these four. They are good enough to be a national champion. “He says he has not placed anyone in the top 10 who has played less than nine games.” I have all the respect in the world for the state of Ohio. “Says he thinks the world of Ryan Day.” There’s really nothing about it … You can change the name to anyone. ” He says he would not have had USC in the playoffs either if they were 6-0. “I just think it’s not right that three teams have to win 13 games to be the champions and one to win eight. ”
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In defense of the vote in Ohio State 11th “I voted for them for the same reason in 2017. I left Alabama out of account. And guess who was mad at me then? Alabama people.”
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“For me, right is right. It’s not always easy to do the right thing. ”
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Based on his vote … “I would probably run for governor of Michigan and have a good chance. Probably not as popular in Ohio.”
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He does not have an update on defensive partner Xavier Thomas and whether he will play in the Sugar Bowl. “We’ll only say something about someone on game day.”
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About Justin Fields: “He’s going to be a top-two pick, a top-three pick. I can ‘t imagine he would not be. It’s another year in the system. He’s just a dangerous man. He has a lot of confidence in what they do. “He says Fields” creates a lot of conflict “to defend them because of his running ability.
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About the wide receivers of the state of Ohio: “Those guys are as good as you’ll see.”
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Swinney says “there’s no moment too big for Trevor Lawrence.” People mention that many people will try to meet the standard he has set.
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About the Heisman Trophy: “It’s a stat, media-driven award.” He says Lawrence is the ‘example of the Heisman’. … “It was the best he was. He’s 34-1 or whatever as an appetizer.”
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How can this Clemson team compare to previous Clemson teams that made it to the playoffs: “Similar. Each team had a different path. I’ve never really had a team that had the challenges of this team. ” Say they have ‘good quarterback’ and ‘explosive skill’.
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About the Ohio State Secondary Scheme this season compared to last year: “Very similar, and why would it not be.” He says the Buckeyes have played a little more two-safe look this season.
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About Tommy Togiai and Haskell Garrett: “Those D-tackles are really good players.”
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In defense of Ohio State: “They are a very good football team. Built in the trenches. Built in the top seven. Built to stop the run.”
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He says Clemson’s sacrifices are ‘unprecedented’, and what they had to sacrifice to play is ‘incredible’. … “The teams that do it best are the ones who will finish best.”
Brent Venables
Will be updated with points and videos after speaking around 12:00.
