Dabo Swinney says Clemson has ‘stood the test of time’ amid conference realignment talks

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater05/25/23

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The ACC is in an odd spot when it comes to conference realignment. Conversations between leadership and members of the league are becoming more restless as each school wants a better share of compensation. While that does include the Clemson Tigers, though, Dabo Swinney says their university is good enough to survive wherever they end up.

Swinney commented on these talks about and around the ACC earlier this week. Regardless of what happens, he described Clemson as ‘well-established’ and a place that has and will continue to ‘withstand the test of time’.

“I mean Clemson is a well-established program and university,” Swinney said. “There’s always challenges and hurdles. And there’s changes that happen throughout the landscape of college football. But Clemson has always withstood the test of time and will for years to come.”

Clemson has been a member of the ACC since 1953. Beyond some time in the Southern and several years as an independent, the Atlantic Coast Conference has been the home of the Tigers for all of the modern era.

Still, considering all things, every team in every conference has had to reevaluate its status as of late. It may not ever come to that but, if Clemson does elect to move on at some point, Swinney has all the confidence in the Tigers to be able to handle what comes their way no matter what conference they find themselves in.

JD PicKell predicts Clemson to eclipse 9.5 wins in 2023

Clemson has a lot to live up to in 2023. Although they’ve gone 31-8 over the past three seasons, the Tigers made several adjustments to ensure that they have a shot at getting back into the College Football Playoff.

To On3’s JD PicKell, he thinks they have a great shot at doing it too based on his evaluation of their win total on a recent episode of ‘The Hard Count’. He sees them once again reaching double-digit wins in large part because of the fact that two of the biggest games of their season will be in Death Valley.

“The over-under for (Clemson) is at 9.5 wins. Translation? You can lose two games. And the two biggest games on Clemson’s schedule? They get them at the crib,” said PicKell. “(The Tigers) get Florida State and they get Notre DameThey get Florida State (on) September 23rd and they get Notre Dame (on) November 4th.”

PicKell just doesn’t believe Clemson finishes with more than two losses in 2023. He thinks 10 or more wins is a lock for him which, in turn, would altogether mean a potential return to form is on the way for the Tigers this fall.

“I love Cade Klubnik, I love Garrett Riley, I love Will Shipley. All three of them are program guys,” said PicKell. “Clemson? You’re telling me they’re going to lose two games? (I’m) not buying it. Clemson over 9.5 wins? Go ahead and lock that in for us and take it to the bank.”