June 27, 2026

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney explains why he ranked Ohio State outside the top 10 of his Coaches Poll ballot

© Provided by CBS Sports Clemson coach Dabo Swinney made waves after the season wrapped up by ranking Ohio State No. 11 in his final Coaches Poll top 25 ballot. That, of course, set the stage for a wild Sugar Bowl week leading into the College Football Playoff semifinal between the No. 2 Tigers and No. 3 Buckeyes.  Swinney had the chance to discuss his ballot in-depth on Monday in his press conference heading into the Friday rematch of last year’s semifinal in the Fiesta Bowl. He didn’t disappoint.  “It’s a big deal because we are having to play them,” he said. “As I said earlier, there is no question Ohio State is good enough to beat us, any of us, to be a national champion. I didn’t rank anybody that didn’t play nine games or more in the top 10. That’s why they were 11. It had nothing to…

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