Dabo Swinney: Clemson grew facing SEC competition instead of 'XYZ University'

Top nonconference opponents are a thing of the past for Clemson if the College Football Playoff committee puts no weight on strength of schedule.

Opening the season as the Tigers did against then-No. 1 Georgia in September, for example, might not be as high on Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney's list of priorities if there is no reward in the committee's evaluation process for teams that take the risk to play other heavyweights.

But Swinney recognizes his team is far more battle-tested because it took on the Southeastern Conference power.

"We could have scheduled XYZ University and everybody would be real happy on the bus ride back. But I think they had good perspective after that game," Swinney said Friday on the eve of playing No. 8 SMU in the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, N.C. "They kept going and have earned the right to be here."

Swinney said he views SMU as the best in the 17-team conference and would anticipate the Mustangs have the standing resume to earn a spot in the playoff even if they lose to the Tigers on Saturday. No. 18 Clemson, already with three losses, won't have the same luxury in Swinney's estimation.

"We have to win the game, for sure, to have an opportunity," he said. "I think SMU should be in for sure. We're looking at this game like the first round of the playoffs. That's how we have to look at it. The season is over. ... It's all about this opportunity. This is what they've worked for since January."

A reflective Swinney said he was encouraged how Clemson matched up physically with Georgia in the 34-3 season-opening loss but lamented penalties that erased big plays. He felt the Tigers were just one play short in a 17-14 loss to South Carolina last week, but also believes the timing was perfect for a reminder.

"We've grown. They understand that games like that can be (decided) by two or three plays," Swinney said. "Hopefully they'll take that into this game and play their best football in the postseason."

--Field Level Media