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Swinney says Tigers only have to look at 'Noles to know what could happen
Swinney is excited to see where Cole Stoudt can take the program

Swinney says Tigers only have to look at 'Noles to know what could happen


by - Senior Writer -

In 55 days or so, the Atlantic Coast Conference media will converge on Greensboro, N.C. for the annual ACC Football Kickoff, and most of the attention will deservedly go to the defending national champion Florida St. Seminoles.

In truth – they deserve the attention. They rolled undefeated through the 2013 campaign, including a 51-14 steamrolling of Clemson in Death Valley last October. They have the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback in Jameis Winston, and several strong recruiting classes have the Seminoles poised to make another title run.

On the flip side, the Tigers lost two offensive line starters, All-American wide receiver Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

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and playmaker Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC

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, starting running back Roderick McDowellRoderick McDowell
Running Back (2009 - 2013)
#25 5-9, 195
Sumter, SC

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and a three-year starter in quarterback Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
Quarterback (2009 - 2013)
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

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.

However, Clemson head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
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told 1010 XL in Jacksonville late last week that all he has to do is look at last year’s Florida St. team to realize the Tigers have an opportunity to make the same kind of run.

“You never know,” Swinney said. “If you look at Florida State, they lost E.J. Manuel, a first-round draft pick and excellent player, and here comes this freshman that wins the Heisman and the national championship. You just never know. But I like our team. I love the personnel we have. I’m really excited to see Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 205
Dublin, OH

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and Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 190
Gainesville, GA

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and see how this thing plays out throughout the year. Cole Stoudt played three years for us and has performed well as a backup in every situation. He has to go and do it as a starter.”

Swinney said that with talented players like Boyd, Watkins and Bryant the Tigers were more of a passing team in an effort to take advantage of those player’s talents. He thinks this year’s team will be more balanced.

“I think we’ll be a more balanced team. Everybody knew the ball was going to go to Sammy, but I think we’re going to be a little more diverse, with the use of our tight ends and especially our running backs,” he said. “I’m very excited about the personnel that we have at running back. I think that can really be a big factor. We’ve had a 1,000-yard rusher three years in a row, but, this year, I think we’ve got the potential to be pretty special in the backfield. Every year, it’s different, but we’ll be about seeing how your personnel shakes out, doing what’s best for your team and whatever gives you the best chance to win on game day.”

Swinney then said that the Seminoles have “set the standard” for the rest of the conference.

“They went out and earned it on the field last year,” Swinney said. “I was really happy for Florida State, proud of them for getting it done. We take pride in our conference as well. It’s great to have a national champion in our conference and to have two BCS winners. I think that’s only happened maybe one other time.

“It was a good year for the ACC, and certainly Florida State has set the standard for all of us. Jameis Winston winning the Heisman as a freshman, that’s obviously a guy we have to deal with when we go down to Tallahassee. Hopefully Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Sr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA

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can get after him and keep his production to a minimum. We certainly didn’t play well against them last year. We’re going to have to play a whole lot better.”

The Tigers are coming off an 11-2 campaign –the first time in school history the program has had back-to-back 11-win seasons – and Swinney said it is just all part of the process of building a consistent winner.

“That was my goal when I took this job, was just to be a consistent winner,” he said. “In order for that to happen, we had to have the right things in place in our program. And from a program standpoint we have to win those big out of conference games – we’ve beaten LSU and Georgia and Ohio St. Great national programs. It certainly has helped us. We think we have positioned ourselves as one of those programs people think about when they think of Top 10 programs. But last year’s touchdowns won’t win games for us this year. We have to regroup and refocus and pay the price again.”

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Subject (Replies: 31) Author
spacer New Story:Swinney says Tigers only have to look at 'Noles to know what coul
TigerNet News®
spacer Career back-up QB Chris Morocco took the Tigers down
apextiger
spacer Great point!***
Smiling Tiger®
spacer Re: Career back-up QB Chris Morocco took the Tigers down
clempsun
spacer Re: Career back-up QB Chris Morocco took the Tigers down
Knuck®
spacer Given that our defense is expected to be the strength of the
grover173
spacer Our D is good, but it isn't 1989 good......yet.***
CUTIGR69
spacer Yep, we sure had the talent to match theirs (exceed theirs).
CUTIGR69
spacer Re: Career back-up QB Chris Morocco took the Tigers down
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: Career back-up QB Chris Morocco took the Tigers down
slumdog
spacer Well, the article was focused on FSU ... thus the responses.***
apextiger
spacer So I wanted to re-live some of that......
TS_Tiger
spacer Win in Talley and win in the Valley.***
ColaTownTiger
spacer How badly does Swinney want the win in Tallahassee?
NortherTiger
spacer Re: How badly does Swinney want the win in Tallahassee?
92TigerJohn
spacer Re: How badly does Swinney want the win in Tallahassee?
clempsun
spacer Re: How badly does Swinney want the win in Tallahassee?
slumdog
spacer Re: How badly does Swinney want the win in Tallahassee?
slumdog
spacer Re: How badly does Swinney want the win in Tallahassee?
lead tiger
spacer Re: How badly does Swinney want the win in Tallahassee?
clempsun
spacer Re: How badly does Swinney want the win in Tallahassee?
agcflash
spacer Tell 'em leadcoot
clemson80tiger
spacer Re: Tell 'em leadcoot
slumdog
spacer About Watson - many agree he will touch field in Athens
NortherTiger
spacer Re: About Watson - many agree he will touch field in Athens
slumdog
spacer The national forecasters will say we have no chance BUT
AThomas®
spacer Peyton Manning 0....Tee Martin 1
scooter
spacer At least we don't have to read on TigerNet
Neal in NC®
spacer Record-setting DV loss doesn't inspire confidence for @FSU***
Razzmatazz
spacer True but you've got to flush that out of your mind
Drobins
spacer Re: New Story:Swinney says Tigers only have to look at 'Noles to know what coul
I bleed orange
spacer Re: New Story:Swinney says Tigers only have to look at 'Noles to know what coul
slumdog