Game Week is Finally Here: Busy schedule highlights week in New Orleans

Clemson and Alabama face off next Monday

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Dec 26 08:01:03 GMT-04:00 2017

Game week is here. Finally.

The advance party of TigerNet staff headed towards New Orleans this morning to get started on the teams’ arrival at the airport and the first few rounds of interviews. No. 1 Clemson takes on No. 4 Alabama in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

It’s been almost a month since the Tigers last played a game, and while the usual bowl practice interview sessions are ok, they aren’t the kind you get during game week. Sure, we had community service days and basketball is doing well and we had an early National Signing Day, but this is the week we’ve all been waiting for.

Because this year’s schedule was funky – the Tigers had an off week and then an exam week – there were fewer interview sessions and fewer practices to attend (for the media), and that meant less information was getting out. Considering Clemson is preparing to play Alabama for the third consecutive year, I am sure head coach Dabo Swinney likes it that way.

If you can get through today, we will have updated content for you starting tomorrow (Wednesday) when the teams arrive at the airport.

Here is a schedule of events so you’ll know what to expect, and all times listed here are Central.

Wednesday, December 27

Alabama arrives at the airport, 10 a.m.

Clemson arrives at the airport, 3 p.m.

Thursday, December 28

Clemson Defense Press Conference, 8:40 a.m.

Alabama Offense Press Conference , 9:35 a.m.

Clemson Practice/Availability, 12:30 p.m.

Alabama Practice/Availability, 12:30 p.m.

Friday, December 29

Clemson Offense Press Conference, 8:40 a.m.

Alabama Defense Press Conference, 9:35 a.m.

Saturday, December 30

Alabama Media Day (at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome), 8-8:45 a.m.

ESPN Talent Availability, 8:45 a.m. (Todd Blackledge, Joe Tessitore, Holly Rowe)

Clemson Media Day, 9:15-10 a.m.

Sugar Bowl Second-Line Parade, 11:30 a.m.

Allstate Fan Fest, 12-7 p.m.

Alabama Practice/Availability, 12:50 p.m.

Clemson Practice/Availability, 3 p.m.

Sunday, December 31

Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney Press Conference, 8:30 a.m.

Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban Press Conference, 8:50 a.m.

Allstate Fan Fest, 12 p.m.- 12 a.m.

Clemson Pep Rally, 1 p.m.

Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade, 3:30-5 p.m.

Monday, January 1

2018 PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL AT THE ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL, 7:45 p.m.

Of course, the game is what we are all headed toward, and it can’t get here fast enough. But we have a busy week ahead of us, and we’re going to bring you a ton of fresh content from each of the day’s activities, along with photo galleries and videos.

It should be a fun week and we’re just as anxious as you are to get it all started.