LSU football is winning the war inside Dabo Swinney’s head
By Zach Ragan
LSU football’s Joe Burrow made quite an impression on Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney had a front row seat for the Joe Burrow show in the national championship game in January.
LSU football and Clemson waltzed into the title game in New Orleans with identical 14-0 records. The point spread, which had LSU -5.5, was close. The game, however, turned out not to be very close (like most of LSU’s games in 2019).
Ed Orgeron and LSU left the Superdome with a 42-25 win and a trophy.
Swinney left with a strong impression of Burrow, who capped off his incredible 2019 season by tossing for 463 yards and five touchdowns.
Just a routine week for Burrow.
Earlier this week, Swinney talked about Burrow on ESPN’s First Take and dished out some hefty praise for the soon-to-be NFL quarterback, saying “Joe Burrow is an unbelievable player. I was so impressed with him. I was impressed getting ready for the game, but after the game just watching him live, he’s a special talent.”
ESPN First Take host Stephen A. Smith asked Swinney if he would take Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence or Burrow first in this year’s draft (if Lawrence was eligible to be drafted this year).
Despite the strong praise for Burrow, Swinney said he’d take Lawrence.
“If I was on the other side, I’m taking my man T-Law for sure”, said Swinney.
Look, I get that Swinney would never admit that he’s taking Burrow over Lawrence. But I don’t think there’s anyone in the country that’s taking a quarterback other than Burrow with the first pick in this year’s NFL draft.
Lawrence is a great player. And I think he’ll probably be the first pick in next year’s draft (for now, things change, just ask Burrow). But he’s not in same stratosphere as Burrow.
Burrow’s insane 2019 numbers make Lawrence’s 2019 numbers look pedestrian. And Burrow’s performance in the national championship game — a stage where Lawrence had played before — was far superior (Lawrence threw for 234 yards and 0 touchdowns against LSU).
Swinney was put in a bit of a corner by Smith, but his answer was still wrong. He should’ve went with a more political answer. But then again, Swinney is never one to shy away from polarizing statements — it’s kind of his thing.
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It’s clear that LSU is still on Swinney’s mind and he isn’t quite over that championship game loss just yet.