After Ohio State walloped Clemson 49-28 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Friday, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said it was clear the better team won. But that wouldn’t change Swinney’s mind on where he ranked the Buckeyes on his ballot in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Swinney took criticism for ranking Ohio State 11th entering the playoff, a decision he said he made exclusively due to the Buckeyes’ playing just six games, and he said after Friday’s loss that he doubts that provided much motivation. “I don’t regret any of that, and polls have nothing to do with motivation,” Swinney said. “Both teams were highly motivated to play.” Swinney reiterated that his ranking was not meant to diminish Ohio State’s talent, but rather a decision not to put any team with fewer than nine games in his top 10. After the game, Ohio State…
Continue Reading: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says he has no regrets about ranking Ohio State No. 11
