Dabo Swinney held his weekly press conference, Tuesday, as he and his staff prepare the Tigers for their trip to Tallahassee, Fla., to square off with Florida State. Swinney expects a “rocking environment” at Doak Campbell Stadium, Saturday, and said he’s very impressed with FSU quarterback Jordan Travis’ character, toughness and elusiveness. Swinney went on to say the Seminoles have the best group of linebackers they’ve seen, so far, and Florida State has really improved in the trenches under head coach Mike Norvell, making them a dangerous matchup and “good enough to beat anyone.”
Clemson hasn’t lost to the Seminoles since falling 23-17 (OT) in 2014, winning the last six meetings by an average score of 37.5-17.5. The Noles still lead the all-time series 20-14, but Clemson is 7-5 since the last Bowden Bowl was played in 2007. The two programs have combined to win 35 ACC titles.
Kickoff from Tallahassee, Fla., is set for 7:30 p.m.
Key comments
- On the explosion of staff members in CFB the past ten years and if he’s a coach or a CEO: “You have to be both. Surround yourself with the right people, you’ve got to manage people. I really don’t manage the team any different than I coached my position group.”
- Running backs are what you’d expect from Florida State. They’re rushing for 200+ yards/game at 6 yards/carry and they run every kind of screen. It’s all built from their run game. Can’t let them be balanced.
- They have weapons everywhere including “problem” 6’7″ wide receiver Johnny Wilson (21 receptions, 417 yards, 3 touchdowns) and “underrated” #80 (Ontaria Wilson, 18 receptions, 298 yards, two touchdowns).
- Despite beating Florida State a season ago, Clemson was “so bad. It made me want to vomit watching it.”
- Injury news: DT Bryan Bresee will be back this week against the Seminoles.
