Dabo Swinney takes shot at ESPN, College GameDay ahead of Clemson vs. South Carolina

The South Carolina vs. Clemson rivalry has plenty of extra significance outside of just bragging rights this year. Both teams are ranked in the top 20 and fighting for a College Football Playoff berth as the regular season comes to an end.

Dabo Swinney spoke about the Palmetto Bowl during his call-in show on Monday. He’s disappointed that ESPN College GameDay is not in town for the matchup.

“Man, it’s just something special about being a part of it, being in the fight,” Dabo Swinney said. “Man, we’re going to have a tough challenge this week. It’s a really good team. But hey, two ranked teams.

“I guess it’s the highest-ranked rivalry game in the country this week. So you know, how cool is that? You’d have thought GameDay would’ve been here, but I think they’re mad at me because I didn’t move the game to Friday.”

Dabo Swinney is, of course, talking about ESPN being mad at him. Swinney and Clemson were approached during the offseason about the South Carolina vs. Clemson game moving to Friday night.

Swinney declined the request from ESPN and the ACC as he believes the game should be on Saturday, for multiple reasons.

“I was against it, for several reasons,” Dabo Swinney explained back in July. “I’m happy to go do it in Columbia if that’s what they want to do. But I was against it, because I don’t think it’s what’s best for Clemson.

“I think sometimes we forget to do what’s best for Clemson. And I think it’s not what’s best for this town. It’s not what’s best for this community. This is not some big city. The people in this town, they make their hay off of those Saturdays. And I think our students, for them coming back here, because they’re off. Being able to come back on Friday after Thanksgiving with their family and be able to be here and create the type of atmosphere that we want [is important].”

Instead of the two teams playing on Friday, the Palmetto Bowl will kick off Saturday at Noon. It will be a matchup between two really good teams that are fighting for a playoff berth.

“Man, it’s awesome. It wouldn’t even matter if it wasn’t on TV,” Dabo Swinney said. “Everybody knows what this one’s all about in this state, and looking forward to competing against a really, really good team.

“Shane’s done a heck of a job. They’ve got one of the best defenses I’ve seen. And offensively they’ve just gotten, better and better and better. The quarterback’s got a chance to be a great player. They’ve done a nice job of really developing him throughout the season.”