Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney addressed the media after the Tigers began preparation for their College Football Playoff semifinal against Ohio State, Friday. Swinney addressed a number of topics including Jeff Scott’s role in bowl preparation and the mindset of his team entering another championship run.

The Tigers last squared off with the Buckeyes in a semifinal game after the 2016 season. Deshaun Watson and Clemson hammered Ohio State 31-0. But this Ohio State team may be a different beast. Dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields and running back J.K. Dobbins spearheaded an offensive attack that generated 48.7 points/game and 7.02 yards/play. On the other side of the ball, defensive end and Heisman Trophy finalist Chase Young led a defense that limited opponents to 12.5 points/game and 2.82 yards/rush.

But according to Swinney, the focus hasn’t turned to the talented Buckeyes, yet, “Today was about knocking the rust off. It doesn’t take long to get rusty. Four days of not running your offense or defense. Get them back in there and get some of the installation going. We’ve always had three weeks, but now we play two weeks from tomorrow. It’s a whole different calendar …. But we’ve got a good plan. We believe in how we get ready. It’s working on Clemson and then it’s working on Ohio State.”

Clemson is set to kick off with Ohio State Dec. 28th in Glendale, Ari., The Tigers are a 2-point favorite.

Dabo Swinney post-practice comments