The college football matchup between the Clemson Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks has a little extra spice this weekend after South Carolina’s huge upset of Tennessee last week. However, there was no extra spiciness needed in this in-state rivalry game as far as Dabo Swinney is concerned.
Clemson and USC are big-time rivals that go back to 1896 and it doesn’t really matter what anyone’s records are heading into the game. Even if the Tigers were 11-0 and the Gamecocks were 0-11, there would still be bad blood and a desire on both sides to whip the other one’s butt. Clemson leads the all-time head-to-head series 72-42-4, but none of that matters as soon as both teams step on the field.
That’s perhaps not a sentiment everyone can understand, especially if your team doesn’t have an intense rivalry. Swinney was asked why he loves the rivalry game so much when other coaches try to downplay the excitement around them. He responded by saying that it might have something to do with where he grew up.
Swinney asked by TV reporter why he embraces rivalry concept/week when others can downplay rivalries … "Because I grew up in Alabama. Where did you grow up?"
"Chicago."
"There ya go."— Anna Adams (@AnnaH247) November 22, 2022
“Because I grew up in Alabama,” said Swinney when asked why he loves rivalry games. “Where did you grow up?
“Chicago,” responded the reporters.
“There ya go,” said Swinney.
College football fans appreciated Dabo’s sentiment given that he grew up in an SEC rivalry hotbed.
😂😂😂 there ya go https://t.co/PGiec89PEq
— Eric Mac Lain (@EricMacLain) November 22, 2022
😂 true story https://t.co/6R6Hjicoe3
— Clemson Bagman (@ExcessDepth) November 22, 2022
— Hank Lee (@hanklee89) November 22, 2022
OK, this is kinda hilarious from Dabo. 🤣 https://t.co/FU28AN6yPK
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) November 22, 2022
