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Dabo Swinney responds to SEC, Big Ten College Football Playoff automatic qualifier proposals

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•03/03/25•

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More change is coming to the College Football Playoff one year removed from expanding to 12 teams. Reports indicate the Big Ten and SEC are proposing their conferences get four automatic qualifying spots in a 14-team field, while the ACC and Big 12 get two. A Group of Five team would still get representation and one at-large bid would be available.

Nothing has been made official but Clemson‘s Dabo Swinney was still asked for his thoughts on the proposal. For a moment, the head coach used typical coach speak. Swinney was not going to stress over something he could not control and focus on his program.

But he did mention how much success Clemson has had during the College Football Playoff. Between the four-team era and now one season into 12 teams, the Tigers have been a consistent presence in the national championship race.

“Hey man, whatever,” Swinney said. “I don’t waste time focusing on things I don’t control. Whatever happens. All I know is that nobody been in the playoffs more than Clemson. Seven out of 10 years. So, pretty good odds, seven out of 10 years. And I think we’ve got the most playoff wins, tied for the most playoff wins. Whatever system they want to come up with, I’m just worried about Clemson. We keep doing our job, we’ll be fine.”

Clemson earned a spot in this year’s CFP due to automatic qualifiers. A late-season Syracuse win over Miami snuck the Tigers into the ACC Championship game where they eventually beat SMU. Being conference championship got them into the field as a 12 seed.

An example of Swinney saying Clemson will take care of business, still being a part of the conversation. While the first-round game against Texas did not go to plan, Swinney did well to get another postseason appearance.

From an ACC perspective, they did get two teams in with SMU being an at-large squad. Commissioner Jim Phillips would be the first to tell you Miami should have been invited though, being on the outside looking in as the second team out in the final rankings.

Likely one more year of the current format is in place. Clemson likely projects as the favorite to win the ACC once again, earning the automatic bid. All focus for Swinney is making sure his team is up to the proper standard, no matter how the College Football Playoff is structured.