After Fiesta Bowl, either Dabo or Clemson’s critics will be saying ‘I told you so’
First things first: No matter what happens in Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl, Clemson is one of the best programs in the country.
The Tigers have won two of the past three national titles, are in the College Football Playoff for the fifth consecutive year and are recruiting better than they ever have.
Even if Clemson loses by 50 points against Ohio State, they’re still the top program in the ACC and one of the premiere programs in the nation — and the Tigers aren’t going anywhere any time soon.
Despite everything Clemson has accomplished, there are still plenty of doubters who question the Tigers’ schedule and whether the 2019 version of Clemson is for real. Those doubters will be more vocal than ever If Clemson loses to Ohio State — the first top 20 team the Tigers play this season.
Winning 28 consecutive games and beating Alabama by four touchdowns in last year’s national title game hasn’t been enough to silence Clemson’s critics,and it’s bothered Tigers coach Dabo Swinney all year. If Clemson wins Saturday, count on Swinney to say, “I told you so” to the program’s doubters
“What’s been achieved by this group of young people should be recognized, and it’s a shame that a lot of people have missed it outside of our folks here,” Swinney said.
The critics have argued that Clemson isn’t as tested as any of the other three teams in the playoff after playing only one team currently ranked in the top 25 in (No. 24) Virginia all year. LSU, the No. 1 seed in the playoff, has the No. 15 strength of schedule. The 2 seed Ohio State’s is 14th, while No. 4 seed Oklahoma’s is 18th. Then there’s Clemson, a team whose schedule toughness is ranked No. 62 behind programs such as Tulsa, South Florida and Houston.
But Swinney has told anyone who will listen that the nation should pay attention to how Clemson plays, not who Clemson plays. The Tigers have the nation’s longest winning streak, are the defending national champions, yet are the No. 3 seed in the playoff, despite winning their final eight games of the season by 31 or more points.
“It gives us a little fuel and something to work for,” quarterback Trevor Lawrence said of Clemson’s seed. “If people think we’re the third best team, that’s just how it’s going to be until we prove it. Since we’ve got the opportunity, we’re not upset. We’re happy to be here and happy to have the opportunity to prove ourselves.”
While Swinney has preached that the Tigers have been disrespected, doubters have argued that the 2019 version of Clemson is much different than last year’s and some of its flaws will be exposed against Ohio State.
Clemson has a new-look defense with seven first-year starters who have yet to be tested against an elite offense.
“A lot of people think we’re not supposed to be here,” Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons said. “So I guess it’s more to prove them wrong, because apparently we didn’t play anyone. That’s been the rhetoric out there. Yeah, we’ve got a chip on our shoulder, something to play for.”
Swinney took a different approach through the media in 2019, going from saying he doesn’t care about outside noise or playoff rankings in previous years to harping on it constantly this season.
“My passion is this program and these players. And from time to time, as a leader, I think you’ve got to speak up,” Swinney said. “Simple as that, and not let other people diminish what other people have accomplished because that’s been an objective from some people. I just try to tell the truth and the way I see.”
If this approach works and the Tigers beat Ohio State, Swinney will rightfully tell everyone that his Tigers were treated unfairly all year. But if Clemson loses, Swinney’s comments will be thrown in his face by those who questioned the Tigers all along.
When does Clemson play Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl?
Who: Clemson (13-0) vs. Ohio State (13-0)
Where: PlayStation Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
TV: ESPN
Early line: Clemson by 2
This story was originally published December 26, 2019 at 9:39 AM with the headline "After Fiesta Bowl, either Dabo or Clemson’s critics will be saying ‘I told you so’."
