Dabo commends Ohio State: 'They were the better team'

After ranking Ohio State 11th in the coaches poll ahead of Friday's Sugar Bowl, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney praised the Buckeyes following his team's shocking 49-28 defeat.

"Ohio State was awesome. They dominated the line of scrimmage. Can't win games like this if you can't stop the run," Swinney said postgame, according to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated. "They were the better team, and they earned it."

Clemson's vaunted defense had no answer for Ohio State's attack throughout the night. Quarterback Justin Fields torched the Tigers through the air for 385 yards and six touchdowns while running back Trey Sermon piled up 193 rushing yards and a score on the ground. The Buckeyes finished with an astonishing 639 total yards of offense, the team's most ever in a bowl game.

Swinney insisted his decision to rank the Buckeyes No. 11 was due to the school only playing six games during the season. He remained firm on that front when asked about it.

"I don't regret any of that," Swinney said, per Brandon Marcello of 247 Sports. "The polls have nothing to do with motivating. Both teams were highly motivated to play. They're a great team."

Ohio State gets a shot at the national title on Jan. 11 versus Alabama, while Swinney and Clemson continue to prepare for National Signing Day in February.