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Dabo Swinney defends ACC competitiveness, uses Vanderbilt wins over Alabama, Auburn to make point

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly11/12/24

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Clemson HC Dabo Swinney
McKenzie Lange | Staff | USA TODAY NETWORK

Clemson earned a hard-fought road win at Virginia Tech on Saturday to improve to 7-2 (6-1) on the year. Still, as thing stand, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers are on the outside looking in as far as the College Football Playoff picture.

Swinney was asked during his press conference on Tuesday if he feels like the ACC isn’t getting as much respect as it deserves as a league.

He shared that he doesn’t spend time worrying about those types of things but added that he does feel like the ACC has a lot of really good teams.

“This is a really competitive league. Anybody can beat anybody,” Dabo Swinney said. “We just played a really tough Virginia Tech team. Every game for Virginia Tech, that’s the worst loss they’ve had, 10 points. I mean every game has been a touchdown or less for Virginia Tech.”

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That includes Virginia Tech’s opener against Vanderbilt, which the Hokies lost 34-27 in overtime. At the time, it seemed like a bad loss, but the Commodores are currently 6-4 (3-3) and have a win over Alabama on their resume.

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“Their opening game, at Vanderbilt, everybody’s like, ‘Oh, the league stinks, you lost to Vanderbilt.’ Well, I think Vanderbilt beat Alabama and Auburn. I think they’re pretty good,” Dabo Swinney said. “And that was a touchdown game in Nashville with Virginia Tech.”

It’s not just the ACC where Swinney feels like there is plenty of parity. He shared that across the board there are plenty of teams capable of pulling off a surprise.

“Anybody can beat anybody on any given day. That’s just kind of where we are,” Dabo Swinney said. “Just when you think you know, you don’t. That’s where we are in college football right now. There’s a lot of parity.

“But as far as wasting energy and worrying about all that other stuff, I don’t waste any time on that. This is a great league and guys are competing their butts off. A lot of good coaches. And I think anybody can play with anybody on any day, in any conference, across the board. I really believe that.”