Dabo Swinney Has 5-Word Reaction To Facing Texas In The Playoff
Dabo Swinney is feeling more than all right after leading Clemson to an improbable College Football Playoff bid.
Desite losing three times this season, Clemson snuck into the ACC Championship Game after Miami lost two of its final three games. The Tigers capitalized, fending off a late rally to defeat SMU on Saturday night. Clemson left Charlotte with a 34-31 win on a 56-yard field goal from Nolan Hauser as time expired.
On Sunday, Swinney's team learned its first CFP matchup. Seeded No. 12, Clemson will face No. 5 Texas in the opening round.
The Longhorns fell from No. 2 after losing the SEC Championship Game to Georgia in overtime. It's a tough draw for Clemson, but Swinney found a silver lining while noting one reason he's excited to go to Austin later this month.
"I'm gonna meet Matthew McConaughey," Swinney said at Clemson's watch party after the bracket reveal, per ESPN's Molly McGrath.
RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack 38-31 at Carter Finley Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
While Swinney doesn't know McConaughey's schedule, the Longhorns superfan watched his beloved team fall to the Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The star actor may have confirmed his attendance plans when responding to the loss on social media.
"Hurts today," he wrote. "Mission continues. See you in two weeks."
McConaughey mingled with Nick Saban in Atlanta, but neither Texas nor Clemson will encounter Alabama in the Playoff. SMU maintained a spot despite Saturday's loss to Clemson.
After the game, Swinney said the Mustangs "better be in the dang playoffs." Per McGrath, the "loudest cheer" from Clemson's watch party came when ESPN revealed that the Mustangs made the CFP.
Swinney has two weeks to prepare for what he'll say to McConaughey if they meet. Of course, the 55-year-old is probably a bit more concerned about crafting a game plan.
Texas has allowed just 12.5 points per game this season. The Longorns were far more competitive against Georgia on Saturday than the Tigers, who opened the season with a 34-3 loss to the Bulldogs.
Clemson will play Texas at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. ET on TNT.
