CLEMSON, S.C. -- As Dabo Swinney walked inside the Clemson indoor practice facility wearing a suit and tie, one supporter after another offered a handshake and a few words. His players ate lunch across the street inside the football facility.
It was noon on Friday, 27 hours before the biggest game he had probably ever coached, considering the stakes (No. 1) and the opponent (Florida State). Yet that did not stop Clemson from putting together a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $55 million football facility, with VIPs, fundraisers, the school president, athletic director and football coach all gathered together to offer praise, hugs and pats on the back.