He admitted the media "got him going today" at some point during his press conference.

However, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney really got animated when asked about defensive back Ryan Carter and whether he knew what kind of player Carter could become.

Swinney's inner Nick Saban lashed out.

"Sure did," on whether he thought Carter would be the player he is today. "I don't know why you think we recruit people we don't think can play. I don't understand that question. I really don't. I don't understand that question. We don't sign people here we don't think can play great football for us. We don't sign those guys.

"So damn right, yeah. That's why we signed him, because we thought he could be a great player at Clemson. Would've committed him a long time earlier if it hadn't been for all the ridiculous narrative in the recruiting world of 'we're only going to offer this guy and get some other player.'

"We don't operate that way. Those guys can go other places. We don't operate that way here. We evaluate, we recruit the guys that fit our program. We don't care if they zero offers or 1,000 offers."

There was something in his tone from the start of Tuesday's press conference, previewing Wake Forest.

"I'll just tell you right out of the gate, this is a very, very good football team that we're getting ready to play. And if anybody says anything different, then you have absolutely no clue what you're talking about," Swinney said, referring to No. 2 Clemson's matchup with the Demon Deacons at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. "I cannot say that enough to everybody in this room."

"So, if there's any inclination that people like to create that this (Wake Forest) team right here is not a legit contender for our division, you have no idea what you're talking about. Let me just set the tempo for the meeting right there."