ATLANTA — In a sport that continues to evolve at a ferocious pace, Dabo Swinney remains steady in the turbulent sea.
College football’s dichotomy was on full display Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Clemson, the program that refuses to use the transfer portal, against a powerhouse of transfers and high school talent. Unsurprisingly, No. 14 Clemson’s home-grown talent was bludgeoned 34-3 by No. 1 Georgia. Immediately, critics pointed to Clemson’s roster — and as Swinney sat down to face reporters after the game, he knew what was coming.
“It doesn’t matter what I say, people are gonna say whatever they want to say,” he said. “We do what’s best for Clemson, year in and year out. When you lose like this, they’ve got every right to say whatever they want to say. So, say whatever you want to say, write whatever you want to write. That comes with it. That’s just part of it.”
The “adapt or die” mantra has never been more prevalent in the sport. Still, Swinney remains frustratingly steadfast in his reluctance to adapt. The question of whether his philosophy works in this new era has loomed over his program, which is now four years removed from its last appearance in the College Football Playoff — the same year the transfer portal took the sport by storm.
Kirby Smart served yet another reminder Saturday. Three transfers accounted for the game’s biggest plays — and a pair of touchdowns.
In a perfect world, the portal would not be crutch for a coach, but it’s part of the job in 2024.
“It’s a forced situation. You have to use it,” Smart said.
Long gone are the days of Trevor Lawrence, Sammy Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins, Travis Etienne and Deshaun Watson. In their place is a stable of loyal but not-quite-elite skill players on Clemson’s…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/clemsons-lopsided-loss-to-georgia-provides-latest-indictment-on-dabo-swinney-shunning-transfer-portal-era/
Author : Brandon Marcello
Publish date : 2024-09-01 06:10:22
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