CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Swinney is pulling for Florida State against Alabama
Swinney is pulling for Florida State against Alabama

Alma Mater or Conference? Swinney picks a side in AL-FSU game


by - Assoc. Editor -

The ACC started their 2017 ACC Football Kickoff on Thursday at the Westin Charlotte and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke during his press conference about various subjects including answering a question on his prediction of the upcoming powerhouse matchup between Alabama-Florida State on Saturday, September 2, 8 pm ET at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

The prediction is difficult because one team is Swinney's beloved alma mater and the other is part of his conference affiliation.

"Heck no, I’m not predicting a winner," Swinney said. "I’m just trying to beat Kent State. It should be a heck of a ballgame. I’ll get to see it, and I expect to see an unbelievable game. You’re talking about two really talented football teams early in the season when you haven’t played. It's a tall order. It’s why the NFL has four preseason games. Can you imagine if the NFL just practiced and they cut people, promoted and demote people based on what they see in their own practice and the first time they play, it’s the Falcons versus the Patriots, and they’ve had no preseason games, just practice and the intensity of that? That’s kind of what you’ve got. There will be some mistakes, but it will be the same for both teams. It should be a great game, and I can’t wait to watch it."

Swinney answered the question by thinking it was important for his conference to get off to a great start in the showcase game.

"Boy, that’s a loaded question right there," he said. "Shoot, I’m just pulling for a great game and pulling for the Noles, man. The Noles are in this conference and we really hope to see those guys get off to a good start. I think all of us in this league pull for each other. I don’t think there’s any question about that and I think the SEC is the same way. When they’ve got matchups like that, they all pull for their team."

Alabama and Florida State could be ranked No. 1 and No. 2 to open the season.

Fun fact - Clemson beat both teams on their road to winning the National Championship last season.

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