USA TODAY Sports' George Schroeder breaks down the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup. USA TODAY Sports
FORT LAUDERDALE — Each year in his first team meeting, Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney informs his players how long it has been since Clemson won its only national title — 34 years now since that magical 1981 team — and then he moves on to the current team’s five goals:
Win the season opener. Win the ACC’s Atlantic Division. Win the "state championship" — which means beating South Carolina.