Dabo Swinney Talks Cheez-It Bowl, Players Potentially Opting Out

Players deciding to opt out of bowl games has become quite common over the past few years.

However, it’s something that Clemson has yet to experience. Nobody is opting out of the College Football Playoff. Or nobody has yet to do so anyways.

This season, the Tigers are not a part of the four team playoff as No. 19 Clemson will face Iowa State on December 29 in the Cheez-It Bowl. But don’t tell head coach Dabo Swinney his team is playing in a lower-tired bowl game.

“First of all, this is a great bowl,” Swinney said. “This is not a lower-tier bowl. I think this is a great bowl, and it’s a great opportunity and a great experience for us as coaches and our staff and great student-athletes. I look at it as a real honor to be a part of it. So we’re excited about that.”

With Clemson not in the playoff this season, Swinney is faced with the very real possibility that their could be some opt outs for the first time in his career. However, the head coach said the Tigers will be ready, either way.

“Man, I hope everybody’s there,” Swinney said. “Whoever we got, we’re going to be ready and be excited to go play. Let me just say, (we’re) super excited to be part of the Cheez-It Bowl. Orlando is an incredible destination and experience. Having been a part of bowl experiences down there in the past, it’s just a place that I know our guys will certainly enjoy and then have the opportunity to compete against a great and well-coached Iowa State team in a great matchup.”

A win over the Cyclones would give Clemson a tenth win for the eleventh consecutive season and it also gives the Tigers a shot at carrying a lot of momentum into the offseason after dropping two games in the month of September and experiencing a three loss season for the first time since 2014.

“It’s going to be a great matchup,” Swinney said. “Again, something we’re really looking forward to and just honored to be chosen to be a part of it. A great opportunity for our team to continue to build momentum into next year, continue to improve, and hopefully finish our season in a very positive way.”