Clemson Tigers’ Dabo Swinney not in favor of ‘inevitable’ 12-a-side college football playoffs



[ad_1]

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said on Tuesday that neither he nor his players are in favor of extending the college football playoffs to 12 teams, but he also knows the format inevitably changes .

At his first press conference since the CFP board allowed commissioners to drop from four to 12 teams, Swinney said he was not surprised at the decision to add more teams, noting that he was also against a four-team playoff.

“I knew when it came to four it was all going to become a playoff issue, and when he got to 12 it would become more of a playoff issue, but it’s inevitable,” Swinney said. “Some people will say, ‘Well, you made the playoffs. If we can go in with four, we’re going to go in with 12. “Our odds aren’t going to go down, so that’s not about that.

“Our team isn’t for that. They don’t want to play more games. And to be honest with you, I don’t know if there are 12 good enough teams. So you’re going to play more games just to play. more games. And I think the more you extend it, the less important the season gets and the more you become the NFL, as long as okay you’re in the playoffs? Well you know, why play Trevor [Lawrence] in this game if you’re already there? All of a sudden you’re not in the top 12 and the kids just aren’t playing anymore. “

Clemson thrived in the college football playoff era, with six consecutive appearances and two national championships. Clemson President Jim Clements also sits on the PFC Board of Directors, which has the final say on expansion. ACC athletic directors are due to meet before the ACC kick-off starts on Wednesday and hear the 12-team expansion presentation from Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick so they can bring additional information to their coaches and players.

After the CFP agreed to move forward with the expansion, CLA Commissioner Jim Phillips asked all coaches to get feedback from their players. North Carolina coach Mack Brown said earlier this month his players were also against a 12-team playoff. Swinney said he thinks his players’ perspective is important because they already know what it’s like to play a 15-game season.

But he also knows change is coming no matter how they feel, and as players get used to the idea, they might change their perception of expansion.

“It’s just a complicated fit for everyone,” Swinney said. “But there’s a bunch of smart people working there. They’re going to find out, come up with something that’s good for everyone. But of our guys, they’ve got a lot of experience, and they’ve got a really good outlook on it. schedule, and what it takes. “

As Clemson heads into the season with another playoff trip in sight, Swinney has been asked about the current state of vaccinations for his team’s players.

Swinney said he was vaccinated in March, and although his team is not 100% vaccinated, they are “headed in the right direction.”

“I think there is more motivation for all of these teams, as they go back,” said Swinney. “We did everything we could to educate and provide great information, and encourage these guys to talk to all the doctors. It was the most important thing for me. I don’t know a single doctor I know of. ‘spoke who said don’t’ I don’t understand. They all said you have to get it, and I trust my doctor. So this is a decision that everyone has to make. Our team is in a good position. . Not quite where we need to be, but I think we’ll get there. “

[ad_2]

Source link