Paul Finebaum had some very unflattering things to say about Dabo Swinney when discussing the College Football Playoff picture on Tuesday, and the Clemson head coach didn’t exactly take the high road when reporters asked him about it.
During appearances on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and “Get Up,” Finebaum criticized Swinney for complaining about the rankings and accusing everyone of disrespecting the Tigers. Finebaum called Swinney the “most annoying winner in all of sports.”
Paul Finebaum basically just spanked Dabo Swinney on national television pic.twitter.com/xpFTq7lwxb
— thatSECpodcast (@thatSECpodcast) December 3, 2019
Finebaum was referring to the comments Swinney made after Clemson’s 38-3 win over South Carolina on Saturday. Swinney said the victory was enormous for his team, which he believes can’t afford a loss since voters want them out of the College Football Playoff.
“The win is huge from a national standpoint, because obviously if we lose this game, they are going to kick us out (of the playoff),” Swinney said, per Tony Crumpton of TigerNet.com. “They don’t want us in there anyway. We’d drop to 20, you know? Georgia loses to this very same team, and the very next day, it’s, ‘How do we keep Georgia in it?’ We win to the team (North Carolina) that beat South Carolina, and it’s, ‘How do we get Clemson out?'”
Swinney fired back by saying Finebaum is great at what he does, which is working for the SEC.
Dabo Swinney: "From time to time, as a leader you’ve got to speak up. Simple as that. And not let other people diminish what’s been accomplished because that’s been the objective for some people."
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) December 3, 2019
Dabo is asked about Finebaum's rant this morning. "Been in meetings. Hate I missed it. Sure it was riveting."
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) December 3, 2019
Dabo on Finebaum: "He works for the SEC .. that's what he does. That's his job. I would never be upset at a person because he does a great job. Paul Finebaum is great at what he does."
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) December 3, 2019
Dabo on the Finebaum rant: "You don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) December 3, 2019
Dabo on Finebaum saying he needs a pacifier and a timeout, says he'd love a Happy Days lunch box, a bologna sandwich and a nap during timeout.
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) December 3, 2019
Clemson was left out of the top four of the first playoff ranking of the season, and Swinney probably loved it. It’s not every day you get handed bulletin board material after winning a national championship, but that is exactly what has happened with the Tigers. Swinney is almost certainly going to use that to his advantage again heading into the ACC Championship Game against Virginia on Saturday.
If you remember, Finebaum actually paid Swinney a huge compliment last year. Ruffling feathers is simply what he does, and this was an easy opportunity for that.
