Most Clemson fans have heard the interaction between Dabo Swinney and “Tyler from Spartanburg” by now.
On his Monday radio call-in show, Swinney fielded a call from Tyler, a concerned Clemson fan who put him on the spot, and the result was a response that saw Dabo go scorched Earth for the next six minutes in defense of himself and the Tigers’ program.
Swinney doubled down on those thoughts during Tuesday’s press conference.
“I had some idiot go Old Testament on me, and he got an Old Testament response,” proclaimed Swinney. “Y’all print that one.”
Dabo Swinney
He continued, “I know who I am. I’ve never flinched. Some people say I’m stubborn. I say I’m convicted in my beliefs. And there aren’t enough people convicted in their beliefs. Most of our fans are amazing. It’s the loud minority that really has no clue how hard (winning) is.”
Swinney is a man who follows his beliefs. As he moved the subject away from Monday’s viral interaction, he turned his attention to this week’s opponent, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
For a Clemson team that sits at 4-4 and 2-4 in the ACC, taking down a powerful Notre Dame squad seems like a dubious task. Swinney knows the challenge looming, but he also believes in his team.
He does not waver from that, either.
“I’m thankful for another opportunity to compete,” Swinney said. “This is a really, really good football team we’re about to face. I think we’re a really good football team, too. We just haven’t done the things we needed to do to have a better record.”
Dabo Swinney
The hope is those little things will fall into place on Saturday against an Irish team that ranks 11th nationally in total defense.
“They will challenge us,” continued Swinney. “They should have won the Ohio State game. It’s crazy how they lost that game. They’re fun to watch on tape. They do a lot of good things.”
On offense, Clemson will face off against an old familiar foe in quarterback Sam Hartman. The sixth-year senior transfer from Wake Forest, who torched the Tigers’ secondary last season, will take the field for the final time in his collegiate career against Clemson. Swinney knows the challenges that Hartman presents for his defense.
“Their quarterback is a pro,” he said. “You watch him and he shouldn’t be playing college football. He’s a pro. He’s smooth, poised, and does not flinch. I’ve seen him for 10 years now. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a really good player.”
Dabo Swinney
Offensively, Clemson has their hands full as well. Jump starting a struggling unit will be a tough ask against a stout Irish defense.
“Defensively, they’re really physical,” Swinney explained. “Veteran linebackers and veteran front. They’re really good at corner. NFL talent there. They’re a really good football team. If we turn the ball over it will be a long day.”
In all, Swinney sees Notre Dame as the most complete team that Clemson has played this year. There is no doubt the Irish are good, and it will be an uphill climb for a wounded Tiger squad desperately in need of a win.
“I think they are the most complete team that we play. It is a really experienced team, and they have all the pieces that you need. It was our worst game last year.”
Dabo Swinney
Swinney, of course, is referring to last season’s contest in South Bend when the Tigers were thoroughly dismantled by Notre Dame, resulting in Clemson’s first loss of the season. The hope is that result in 2022 is not repeated.
Despite all that has gone wrong for Clemson this year, a win on Saturday would be a big step in the right direction and gain some momentum for the Tigers to finish strong down the stretch. Swinney is a believer, and he believes in his team and will not back down from a fight.
“As I said last night, I have been through failure,” he said. “We are in the midst of good things. I am not going to let one season damper that and I am going to do everything to keep this program.”
