HIS POSTGAME SPEECH isn't rehearsed. It isn't really a speech at all. What it is, is a release -- and a relief.
As midnight nears on Oct. 3, Dabo Swinney is standing midfield at Clemson's Memorial Stadium, doing what he always does when a live mic is shoved in his face after a win: He takes advantage of his platform. Clemson has just beaten No. 6 Notre Dame in a 24-22 nerve frayer by stopping a two-point attempt with seven seconds left. The Tigers, off to a 4-0 start, will climb from No. 12 to No. 6 in the AP poll by morning.