Dabo Swinney
Hammond School defensive end Jordan Burch sits in the stands to watch South Carolina play Missouri at Colonial Life Arena, in Columbia, S.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. (Joshua Boucher/The State via AP)
Top heavy: Handful of elite programs hoard most top recruits

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 05, 2020 04:18 PM EST

In this Nov. 2, 2018 photo, Hammond Skyhawks Jordan Burch (5) watches during the a high school football playoff game against Wilson Hall in Columbia, S.C. The-6-foot-5, 275-pound Burch is a potential immediate-impact player out for the Gamecocks. When the early signing period opened in December he announced he would stay close to home. But he didn't actually sign, leaving open the possibility LSU could be his final destination. (Jeff Blake/The State via AP)
Signing day: Undecided blue chips, finish strong, best class

By Ralph D, Russo Feb. 04, 2020 01:09 PM EST

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, left, meets LSU quarterback Joe Burrow on the field after a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. LSU won 42-25. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Clemson D, Lawrence falter as LSU rolls to championship

By Pete Iacobelli Jan. 14, 2020 02:25 AM EST

LSU celebrates after winning a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. LSU won 42-25. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Column: LSU makes a persuasive case as the best team ever

By Paul Newberry Jan. 14, 2020 01:39 AM EST

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, left, and quarterback Joe Burrow, center, hold the trophy beside safety Grant Delpit after a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. LSU won 42-25. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Burrow, LSU cap magical season, beat Clemson 42-25 for title

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2020 12:27 AM EST

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, left, and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney pose with the trophy after a news conference for the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in New Orleans. Clemson is scheduled to play LSU on Monday. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Swinney, Orgeron leading evolution in coaching styles

By Paul Newberry Jan. 12, 2020 05:09 PM EST

Clemson safety Nolan Turner (24) celebrates after his interception against Ohio State during the final minute of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Chip off old block: Nolan Turner follows in dad's footsteps

By Paul Newberry Jan. 11, 2020 06:37 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates his touchdown reception during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, in Baton Rouge, La. Chase was selected to The Associated Press All-America team, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
LSU, Clemson put Golden Age of wide receivers on display

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2020 05:51 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates a defensive stop against Texas during an NCAA college football game, in Austin, Texas. Orgeron is The Associated Press Coach of the Year after leading the top-ranked Tigers to a Southeastern Conference championship and their first College Football Playoff appearance.(Nick Wagner/American-Statesman via AP, File)
Analysis: LSU wins with improved defense, dome advantage

By Brett Martel Jan. 11, 2020 03:52 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney plays the cymbal on the drum of a member of the 3rd Line Brass Band as he arrives with the team for the NCAA College Football Playoff title game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 10, 2020. Clemson is scheduled to play LSU on Monday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Analysis: Clemson will win with talent to slow LSU, Burrow

By Pete Iacobelli Jan. 11, 2020 02:21 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney celebrates after Clemson defeated Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
No. 1 LSU faces No. 3 Clemson for CFP national championship

By The Associated Press Jan. 09, 2020 01:44 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is congratulated after Clemson defeated Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Delay of game: National title on hold amidst 2-week wait

By Pete Iacobelli Jan. 07, 2020 05:02 PM EST

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Oklahoma during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Underdogs again, Clemson heading to another CFP title game

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 30, 2019 03:53 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney celebrates after Clemson defeated Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Waiting game: 15 days between CFP semifinals, championship

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2019 02:47 PM EST

Clemson safety Nolan Turner (24) celebrates after his interception against Ohio State in the final minute of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
LSU cruises, Clemson survives for title game clash

By David Brandt Dec. 29, 2019 12:37 AM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is congratulated after Clemson defeated Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Clutch Clemson: No. 3 Tigers beat No. 2 Ohio State 29-23

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2019 12:15 AM EST

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney speaks during a news conference ahead for the College Football playoffs Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in Atlanta. Ryan Day of Ohio State was unable to attend. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Suspended Clemson TE returns for College Football Playoff

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 27, 2019 05:47 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day waits with his players before taking the field for an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, in Lincoln, Neb. A year ago, Day was a relatively unknown Ohio State assistant. This December he's reigning Big Ten coach of the year and is eyeing a national title after leading the Buckeyes to a 13-0 record as the successor to the retiring Urban Meyer. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Superpower semifinal: Ohio State, Clemson meet in Fiesta

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 27, 2019 03:51 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2019, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young rushes against Northwestern during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Evanston, Ill. Young got back on the field, and immediately back into the Heisman Trophy race. In his return from a two-game NCAA suspension, he had three sacks among nine tackles in the Buckeyes’ win over Penn State last Saturday. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
No. 2 Ohio State faces No. 3 Clemson in CFP at Fiesta Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 26, 2019 06:54 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2019, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young laughs on the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, in Evanston, Ill. Young was selected to The Associated Press All-Am erica team, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Clemson's Carman vs. Ohio State's Young an intriguing battle

By David Brandt Dec. 26, 2019 04:29 PM EST