CLEMSON, S.C. — Dabo Swinney understood why someone who didn't follow Clemson's program closely might worry about the state of the Tigers' defensive line this time last year. "Everybody was like 'What are you going to do?'" Swinney said. From the outside, the situation looked dire. Starting defensive ends Vic Beasley and Corey Crawford were gone. So were starting tackles Grady Jarrett and Josh Watson. Swinney could only chuckle.
"We'll be a'ight*," Swinney told everyone.
*Yes, Swinney and Alabama coach Nick Saban both utilize the contraction "a'ight." Swinney tends to us it as an indication that things are going to be O.