Dabo Swinney Previews Clemson-FSU: Noles Are ‘Same Ole Same Ole’
Dabo Swinney previews the Clemson-FSU game this upcoming Saturday. According to Swinney, the Seminoles are the "same ole same ole."
The Clemson Tigers have entered the month of November undefeated and are contending for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
On Saturday, the Tigers will face Atlantic Coast Conference rival Florida State, and Swinney opened up on the matchup during his Tuesday press conference.
Below is what Swinney had to say.
On facing FSU
“Florida State is the same ole same ole. They’re well coached. They have fast dudes all over the place. They know what they are doing. Defensively, they are very talented, up front. They have some young guys. They have recruited very well. They have gotten better as the year has gone on. They are outstanding in the secondary. They have some guys that can run. They have great length, 6-2, 6-3 guys back there. Again, it is the same ole challenge.”
On where Clemson ranks
“The only poll we care about is on Dec. 6. We’ll have the biggest poll party then. We’ll open up Death Valley and give out pizza.”
On quarterback Deshaun Watson
“He can beat you with his arm. He can beat you with his legs. He can beat you with his head.He can beat you with his heart.”
On FSU kicker Roberto Aguayo
“Think he’s in his eighth year. Two terms.”
On FSU possibly starting backup quarterback Sean Maguire
“I know that Golson did not play last week. They don’t really do anything different. They run their offense and both of those guys are very capable of running their offense, and obviously Maguire beat us last year, and Golson has had a heck of year for them this year. He is second in the league in passing, so they are just a really good football team.”
On FSU’s dominance in the ACC
“I have a lot of respect for Florida State. This is a team that has been the best in our league the last three years and they have earned it. They have been a great representative, they won the national championship, they played in the first College Football Playoff last year. If we want to have an opportunity to do that, then you have to win this game. You have to find a way to beat these guys. That is easier said and done. There have not been many teams that have been able to do it. We have had our opportunities. We will have to find a way to finish it if we are going to beat them.”
On Dalvin Cook and FSU’s offense
“Offensively, they have a big strong offensive line. Dalvin Cook, you know how I feel about him. He is an amazing player. He leads this league in all-purpose yards. He leads this league in scoring. He is averaging 8.2 yards per carry. Those are some freakish numbers, 148 yards per game. They do a great job of involving him into the passing game.”
On FSU’s passing game
“They have excellent receivers like they always have. Really good football players … 3, 15 and 8 and all of those guys and they have talented freshman that they have mixed in there as well. They always do a good job with their tight ends.”
Clemson hasn’t beaten FSU since 2011, when the Tigers won 35-30. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
