CLEMSON — The last time Clemson lost to Wake Forest, Dabo Swinney was the wide receivers coach.
The Tigers have won 15 straight games over the Demon Deacons, dating back 2009, Swinney’s first full season as head coach. However, do not think that means No. 10 Clemson is overlooking the Demon Deacons.
A week after five top 10 teams were knocked off, including former No. 1 Alabama, Wake Forest should have Clemson’s full attention this Saturday at old Groves Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. It also helps that the Deacons pulled off an upset of their own last Saturday when they drove up the road to Raleigh and knocked off NC State.
“College football did us a favor,” Swinney said. “This is a week where, if you pay attention to what people say on the outside, then they are saying we are supposed to go win. This is not a game of ‘supposed to.’
“This is a game of what you do. This is a game of performance.”
When everyone else was losing, the Tigers (4-1, 3-0 ACC) took care of their business last week in Tallahassee, Fla., with a win over a struggling Florida State team. Though it was not its best performance of the year, Clemson made enough plays when they had to win the game.
When it comes to beating teams “they are supposed to” the Tigers have done it as well as anyone. They have not lost to a team with a losing record going into a game since 2010, when they lost at Boston College.
Wake Forest is 2-3 overall and 1-1 in ACC play.
“That is why we have been consistent. We have created that windshield mentality for years and years and years,” Swinney said. “I think we are top four in the country in road wins since 2015 or maybe top three and we are best in the country at home for the last 13 years.
“That is because you create consistency in your preparation. It can’t matter. That is hard. That is not an easy thing to establish. It is hard. These are kids. There is a lot happening on the outside that can really distract you. You have to show up and play every single week.”
The Tigers will try and do just that this Saturday when they take on Wake Forest (noon, ESPN).
“That is why we talk about playing to a standard,” Swinney said. “You do not play to an opponent. You do not play to a record. Like last week, ‘Hey! They’re 1-4.’ You get caught up in that, you are getting beat.”
