The position of Clemson coach, Dabo Swinney, that teams that play only six games should be barred from the College Football Playoff – and ranking Ohio State 11th in its final survey with coaches – made ample notice board material for the Buckeyes going to the Friday night game.
After Clemson’s 49-28 loss to the state of Ohio, Swinney was reported on social media even before the clock hit triple zero.
Ohio native LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers was among the critics, scolding the coach for his low rating.
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Swinney told reporters after the game that he did not regret having rated Ohio State where he did it.
“I don’t regret any of this and the polls have nothing to do with motivation. Both teams were highly motivated to play,” he said, via ESPN.
“They are a great team. [The ranking] it had nothing to do with the state of Ohio. I said they were good enough to beat us, good enough to win the whole damn thing. But I don’t think anyone who hasn’t played at least nine games, in my poll, that I wouldn’t put them in the top ten. So I wouldn’t change that just because there was a chance we could play it. So I don’t regret it. The only thing I regret is obviously not doing a good enough job preparing my team. “
OHIO STATE ROUTS CLEMSON IN SUGAR BOWL, WILL PLAY ALABAMA IN THE NATIONAL TITLE GAME
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, who had six touchdown passes, did not address the issue immediately after the game. His team-mate, tight end Jeremy Ruckert, said it didn’t motivate them more than the game itself, but it made the victory a little bit sweeter.
“Anything motivates you, be it what they say or what we say,” he said. “This is the biggest stage in college football. If that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what you’re doing here. We definitely heard what he was saying and used it as motivation, but the stage, the playoff platform and the chance to move on, that is the motivation itself. Now we just have to keep that energy working. “
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Ohio State will play Alabama for the national championship on January 11.