Coach Dabo Swinney: Clemson peaking at just the right time
Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) eludes Arkansas defensive back Montaric Brown (21) to break free for a touchdown reception during the first half Oct. 26 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney doesn’t need a top-four College Football Playoff ranking to know his fourth-ranked Tigers are playing well and have developed the leadership and chemistry they need to defend their national championship.
Swinney said the team’s talent and execution are on par with last year’s 15-0 title winners.
“The similarities to where we are now to where we were then, we were playing our best football and the leadership and chemistry were really, really good,” he said. “And that’s exactly where this group is.” It’s hard to argue his point. The Tigers have won 24 straight games with their offense operating at level that statistically is better than a year ago. Clemson had has four games with 600 or more yards this season, the first time that’s ever happened. And the Tigers’ average of 7.58 yards per play this fall is also tops in school history.
Clemson’s defense, expected to be a concern after losing seven starters from a year ago, is giving up fewer points per game than last season when it lead the country in that category.
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Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney calls out commands during the first half against Boston College.
“It’s exciting as we go into the fourth quarter of the season,” Swinney said.
Clemson (9-0, 6-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) looks to keep its momentum going when it plays at North Carolina State (4-4, 1-3) on Saturday night.
No one should expect Swinney to pay much attention to the CFP rankings, which come out for the first time this season Tuesday night and will be released weekly until four playoff teams are set Dec. 8.
“If we’re two, three, four or 15, it’s not worth the brain cells,” said Swinney, who has seen his team drop in the Top 25 despite the preseason No. 1 pick not losing a game.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence said the team never pays much attention to what those on the outside think. He’s spent much of season dealing with analysts breaking down his game — from his throwing motion to footwork to decision making. Though it’s not all unwarranted. Much of the scrutiny that has come the 6-foot-6 sophomore’s way is because of his eight interceptions — double his total from the national championship season.
But Lawrence has performed more like that sensational freshmen the past month with 12 touchdown passes and three picks the last four games. He had nine TDS and five interceptions the first five games.
Reigning ACC player of the year Travis Etienne lately has also stepped up his game. He has run for 640 yards and six touchdowns the last four games — which Clemson has won by a combined score of 208-45 — compared with 462 yards and five touchdowns the first five games.
“It’s really important that we’re playing our best football in November and getting better every week,” Lawrence said. “It’s something we take a lot of pride in.”