CLEMSON — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says one of his greatest strengths as a football coach has been his instincts. He says that is something he has gotten away from this year, as the Tigers struggled to a 3-5 start to the season.

“One of the reasons we have been successful here is that I have always leaned on that,” Swinney said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “I think, sometimes, you can listen to too much to too many people and you can get away from what you are truly convicted with.

“I have to be better in that area.”

What does Swinney mean? How has he gotten away from listening to his instincts?

“I am not going to get into that,” he said. “I just think one of my greatest strengths is my instincts.”

Though his focus is on Florida State, who the Tigers play this Saturday at Memorial Stadium, Swinney says he has reflected on the season and tries to get an understanding on what he is going to try and do to get things fixed.

“Anytime you come out of a game, you reflect,” he said. “That is just what you do. You spend every moment, postgame, reflecting on what you have to do better, what went wrong, and on and on and on, and then you reset.

“I am not wasting too much time looking to next year, I am focused on Tuesday’s practice today. That is what I am locked into right now.”

Swinney and the Tigers will try to stay locked in, as they try and snap a six-game losing streak to Power Conference opponents at home. Clemson’s last home win against a Power Conference foe came against Virginia on October 19, 2024.

Clemson and Florida State kickoff at 7 p.m., Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on the ACCN.