Dabo Swinney talks uniforms for Saturday, needing leadership on defense

CLEMSON — In Dabo Swinney’s mind, Clemson still hasn’t clinched the ACC Atlantic Division.

Sure, the Tigers have locked up a spot in the ACC championship game, but the Tigers could technically still end up tied for the division lead at the end of the year.

Clemson can win it outright with a win over Louisville on Saturday.

“We wanna win the division. I don’t wanna tie for the division. We wanna win it,” Swinney said Saturday night after the loss to Notre Dame.

Clemson typically wears orange pants when a championship is on the line, and Swinney talked as if a championship will be on the line Saturday.

However, it is also Military Appreciation Day at Clemson, and Clemson wears all purple each year for Military Appreciation Day.

Swinney was asked Wednesday if that means that the Tigers could wear purple jerseys and orange pants.

“Yea, I don’t think so,” Swinney said. “I mean I think, you know, who knows what happens, but I think… Military appreciation, you’ll see a bunch of purple. That’s what you’ll see. It should be a great day.”

Swinney didn’t exactly rule out the possibility of purple jerseys and orange pants. We will see Saturday if perhaps he has a surprise planned.

Clemson receivers need to step up

Clemson sophomore receiver Beaux Collins will miss at least this weekend’s game against Louisville after injuring his shoulder against Notre Dame.

Collins has started all nine games for the Tigers this season.

With Collins out, veterans Brannon Spector and EJ Williams will need to step up.

“This is a great opportunity for both of those guys to step up and take advantage of it while Beaux’s out,” Swinney said. “Excited for them. They’ve had a good week of practice and ready to go.”

Freshman Adam Randall could also get more playing time and targets. Randall was hurt at the start of the season as he recovered from a torn ACL suffered during spring practice. However, he has been playing more and more in recent weeks.

Randall played 23 snaps against Notre Dame, finishing with two catches for 27 yards.

Defense needs leaders

Tigers defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin mentioned that Clemson was lacking vocal leadership on the field during Saturday’s game at Notre Dame.

Swinney was asked Wednesday night if anyone has stepped us as far as leadership on that side of the ball during practice this week.

“They’re all trying to,” he said. “But somebody needs to be that alpha. We’re going to find out.”

Clemson starts six upperclassmen, including four seniors on defense. However, the Tigers are still searching for leaders entering the 10th game of the season.