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Everyone outside of the program knows that the end is near for the program and they can talk about it.
Here is what the coach will tell you. He walked into a meeting with a list. His team had a 2-2 record. Not a single player had ever started their careers with two losses in September.
More than 30 teams were written off by the coach, all with two losses. He told his players that they would find out a lot about themselves over the next two months.
The two teams with nine wins were Utah and Clemson. It wasn't the season that the school is used to having. No, Swinney is not disappointed in his players, nor is he ready to concede that his program has taken a step back.
The Cheez-It Bowl will be played on Wednesday night. The Tigers will be going for an 11th straight 10-win season when they face Iowa State. Only two teams have ever won double-digit games in 11 straight seasons: Florida State and Alabama.
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"You are sitting there at 2-2 in September with a lot of disappointment, a lot of noise, and a lot of negative vibes," he said. The foundation of our program shone and we won the day. I'm really proud of how it's come together and how these guys have stayed together and gotten better.
Critics will say that the season is just a spin on a year that started with a top 3 ranking but ended without a title. D.J. Uiagalelei, the quarterback, struggled at times to find any rhythm, throwing just nine touchdown passes and nine interceptions this season.
Some of that could be attributed to injuries to the running back and receiver. The final week of the season was without seven scholarship players.
"We were better around them and they made mistakes, but we were better around them and it kind of covered those things up," he said. It made his mistakes more magnified because we weren't as good as we needed to be. I think it will pay off for him as he goes through his career, because it has sped up all those other things.
The entire team was under scrutiny this season. The offensive line was one of the areas that lacked depth and was criticized by Swinney for not utilizing the transfer portal.
"I wouldn't do anything differently, I wouldn't have taken one of the kids we have here," he said. You can't sign so many players.
After both offensive and defensive coordinators left for other jobs, there was more criticism. Instead of a wholesale shift in philosophy, Swinney promoted from within. Brandon Streeter, Wes Goodwin and Mickey Conn will be making their debuts on Wednesday.
The adversity his players have faced this season will benefit them in the long run, and that's what Swinney believes.
"I think some things have been changed with these guys," he said. Sometimes you don't appreciate how much you win.
What type of adversity have the seniors had? You lose a game. That's not a problem. It was six straight championships, a bunch of big wins, and a rhythm of: 'This is what we do.' It's been cool to connect with them in a different way because of the challenges we had, and then to see the right things show up. We say it either shines you up or grinds you up.
As for the questions about whether this is a turning point for the team, Swinney uses Alabama as an example. The Tide lost to Michigan in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl, instead of playing for the national championship, as they did in the year before.
The College Football Playoff is upon us after a wild regular season. Everything you need to know is here.
The complete bowl schedule is included in the preview.
Every bowl game has players and storylines.
The Fiesta and Rose are previews.
