Swinney wants fewer conference games, more non-conference matchups
The short version
- Swinney said he wishes teams played seven conference games rather than nine
- He lamented the canceled Clemson-Georgia series
- Clemson beat North Carolina 28-20 after trailing by two scores
- Clemson plays California on Friday
Clemson's head coach said he wishes teams played seven conference games so more crossover non-conference games could fill schedules.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Tuesday that he would prefer a shorter conference schedule in college football, expressing support for seven league games instead of the nine many conferences are moving toward.
Speaking to reporters, Swinney addressed the canceled series against Georgia, saying he wishes it were still on the schedule. "We've been playing 10 forever around here, but going to nine conference games, a lot of these leagues are going," he said, via Nick Coppola of The Greenville News. "I wish it was less. I wish everybody played seven conference games, and then you had more crossover games all throughout college football, but it is what it is."
A seven-game conference slate would open room for additional non-conference contests, though programs and leagues have increasingly favored more league games, including matchups between Power Four conferences.
Clemson enters Friday's game against California following a 28-20 comeback win over North Carolina on Saturday. The Tigers trailed by two scores in the first half before rallying, with a long weather delay during the game appearing to benefit Clemson.
