John Swofford stood on the field at Sun Life Stadium after Clemson clinched its spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T, flashing a knowing grin. His wife stood nearby, wearing orange.
Inquiring minds had to know: Did he fist pump after the Tigers beat Oklahoma?
He flashes that grin again.
Any celebration would be warranted, considering the moment. Only a few pundits predicted the ACC would make the College Football Playoff in the preseason. Among 28 ESPN college football game and studio analysts, only three predicted Clemson would make the semifinal; zero picked Clemson to make the championship game.