An NCAA rule means Alabama will have more chances than Clemson to prepare for the national championship, but Dabo Swinney had a simple yet perfect response to the 20-hour practice limitation.
While appearing on ESPN Radio show Mike & Mike, Swinney refused to make Alabama’s unlimited preparation time a big deal.
On @MikeAndMike Dabo Swinney on Clemson having less practice time than UA:“This ain’t rocket science. We’re either good enough or we’re not”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 5, 2016
Since Clemson’s spring semester will start on Wednesday, the football team will then be limited to a maximum of four hours per day.
Conversely, Alabama’s classes begin two days after the national championship (Jan. 13), so the Crimson Tide can participate in football activities for however long Nick Saban deems necessary.
Is that an advantage?
Sure. More film study should only help Alabama. But it’s not like Clemson is under some significant restriction. This is what every single program deals with throughout the entire regular season. The 20-hour rule isn’t new.
Besides, Saban won’t use the upcoming days to utilize increasingly physical and draining practices. What benefits would the Crimson Tide receive from being exhausted on Monday, Jan. 11?
Like Swinney said, either Clemson is good enough or not good enough to beat Alabama. A few extra hours won’t change much.