Swinney Confident Clemson Is ‘A Playoff-Caliber Team’
By: Staff Report May 4, 2024

Dabo Swinney joined Dusty Dvoracek and Danny Kanell on Friday morning on SiriusXM College Sports Radio.

Clemson’s head coach spoke about what he called “a weird, weird time in college football” amid all the changes taking place in the sport, including the 12-team College Football Playoff that is set to begin this season before expected further playoff expansion in 2026.

“It’ll be fun,” Swinney said. “Embrace it – that’s one of those things we were talking about earlier. Things happen. You adapt as you go. I mean, we didn’t have a playoff and then it was whatever, BCS, and then you get the four-team and now we’re going to 12 for a cup of coffee and then we’re going somewhere else. So, it’ll be fun.

“This is a weird, weird time in college football because there’s so many changes at one time. So, you just put your head down and focus on what you’re doing and making sure that you put yourself in the best possible position to have a chance to make the playoffs. That’s really kind of where you are in this game now. It’s all about trying to have a chance to make the playoffs.”

Swinney is confident his team should be in contention for the expanded playoff every season — especially considering the Tigers made the four-team playoff field six years in a row (2015-20) and posted the second-most playoff appearances (six) and wins (six) in the four-team era behind only Alabama’s eight appearances and nine wins.

“We went in the final four, I think we had the second-most appearances. I think we went six years in a row and got the second-most wins. So, we’ve proven we can do it with four, so we definitely feel like that with 12 or 16 or wherever it’s going to end up that we’re a playoff-caliber team, and you get in the playoffs, anything can happen,” Swinney said.

“So, we’re excited about the opportunity, and it starts with your path there. It always starts with trying to win your conference. That’s the number one thing because especially with the way they’re making the rules now with the byes and all that type of stuff. So, it’ll be fun to go through this new phase with everybody and see how it all plays out.”

The 12-team playoff format for 2024 will include the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams as determined by the selection committee.

Clemson, which went 9-4 (4-4 ACC) in 2023, kicks off the upcoming season against Georgia in Atlanta on Aug. 31.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!