Dabo Swinney likes Clemson’s preparation as Tigers break for Christmas
Dabo Swinney’s goal was to have most of Clemson’s gameplan for the College Football Semifinal matchup against Oklahoma installed before the Tigers traveled to Miami on Dec. 26.
Clemson held its last practice until after Christmas on Monday morning, and the Tigers’ coach feels good about where his team is.
“I think we've got a great plan. I like where we are. We've got an opportunity when we get back to really spend the week polishing and doing some attention to details,” Swinney said. “This is a game of clean execution, a few plays. You're talking about the four best teams in the country, so not a lot of margin for error. Getting our plan down and being detailed is what our focus will be coming back. But I like where we are.”
Clemson struggled with details and allowed teams to hang close in games coming down the stretch.
The Tigers gave up 23 plays of 15 or more yards the last two games against North Carolina and South Carolina, including 12 against the Gamecocks.
Clemson spent a lot of the past two weeks working on eliminating such plays.
“We've given up too many big plays defensively the last part of the season,” Swinney said. “If we've played 70 plays, 63 of them have been a clinic, but it's those seven plays, and about four of them are on us, are things that we control, mental errors, things like that, guys doing what they're not supposed to do. And then three of them is just the opponent has made great plays.”
Swinney also is concerned with Clemson’s turnovers, which have been a problem in the latter part of the season. But he was encouraged with the way Clemson took care of the ball against the Tar Heels, turning the ball over once when quarterback Deshaun Watson had a pass tipped and intercepted.
“It was good to see us get back on top of the turnover margin in the championship game,” Swinney said. “But those are the two things that are going to make the difference as we go down the stretch. Turnovers and big plays will be the difference in the semifinal and the national championship game. You can count on it.”
Swinney and the Tigers will be off until Saturday morning when the team will have a final practice at Clemson before heading to Miami to finish preparation.
He hopes his players enjoy the time off and arrive back ready to work.
“Take a little bit of time each day just to mentally practice. I think that's important that you stay plugged in mentally and visualize yourself executing the plan,” Swinney said. “But the main thing is just enjoy Christmas. Enjoy some time with your family and friends and appreciate the opportunity that you have.”
This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 9:20 PM with the headline "Dabo Swinney likes Clemson’s preparation as Tigers break for Christmas."