Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was torn apart on social media earlier this week by fans and national analysts when he said he was against a 12-team expanded CFB Playoff.
Despite the fact that Dabo Swinney based his comments in the discussions that he has had with his players, he was accused of being ‘scared to play more opponents’ among many other weak arguments.
During the 2021 ACC Football Media Kickoff, Swinney was asked again about his thoughts on the potential for the expanded CFB Playoff.
"“At this point, playoff expansion is inevitable,” Swinney said. “I think the conversation needs to be, how do we get it right for the player. How do we save the bowls?“It may be what’s best for the money. It may be what’s best for the fans, but I don’t think it’s what’s best for the players.”"
Clemson offensive lineman Matt Bockhorst said he agreed with his coach’s comments.
"“I definitely share Coach Swinney’s sentiment in that I don’t feel comfortable adding another game,” Matt Bockhorst said. “As an offensive lineman, when you start getting up to 14 and 15 games, the snaps are high. I’m not here to get anyone’s pity, but it does take an incredible toll on your body.”"
Dabo Swinney is more qualified to talk about the CFB Playoff expanding than anyone else other than Nick Saban
The truth of the matter at this point is that Swinney could say the sky is blue and there would be a contingent of social media users- especially on Twitter- who would find a way to accuse him of murder through his comments.
For some, there’s nothing that he’s ever going to say that’s going to be good enough because they’ve made up their mind that they don’t like him and they’re never going to like him.
But for the ones who are still open, the fact is that no one has a better understanding of what an expanded CFB Playoff would mean for the players and coaches than Dabo Swinney, with the exception of Nick Saban.
Swinney has competed in six-straight CFB Playoffs and he has coached four teams during that time who ended up playing 15 games. When he says that he is concerned about the players and their safety, he makes a valid point.
Everyone wants to jump into CFB Playoff expansion and act as if it’s the answer to all of our problems, but the truth is that it’s not in the best interest of the athlete. If you cut the regular season short and don’t have bowl games, you’re talking about thousands of football players not getting a chance to play because the vast majority of teams still won’t be in that top-12.
There are a lot of things to consider when talking about the physical nature of the game, as well as preparation and the mental facet that goes along with it that people who don’t play have no clue, whether they want to pretend they do or not.
Swinney mentioned the example of back in 2016 when Clemson beat Alabama. He recounted how ‘spent’ the locker room was after that National Championship victory and noted that he couldn’t imagine having to tell that group they had to go win one more.
No matter what you as a fan thinks, it’s a valid point from someone who is more than qualified to speak on the matter.