For both Swinney and the Tigers, it promises to be a trip to remember.
On the other side of the bracket, the Clemson Tigers will take on Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl.
Although Notre Dame is no newcomer to national television with its NBC coverage and bowl game history, for numerous players, this game is the fulfillment of all their dreams. The Cotton Bowl is played at AT&T Stadium, which has a retractable roof. The winners of the two semis will meet in the National Championship Game in Santa Clara, California on Jan 7th.
MI finished seventh in the College Football Playoff rankings and qualified for a New Year's Six bowl game.
The rest of the New Year's Six bowl matchups are UCF vs. LSU in the Fiesta Bowl; Florida vs. MI in the Peach Bowl; Ohio State vs. Washington in the Rose Bowl; and Texas vs. Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Immediately after the matchup was announced, the Irish opened as 11.5-point underdogs to the Tigers. "I guess we'll find out on December 29".
Here is what the media saying about football's Final Four.
When UCF went undefeated in the 2017-18 college football season, capping it with a Peach Bowl victory over Auburn, then-head coach Scott Frost backed the Knights for deserving a shot at the College Football Playoff. No one factor is more important than another, and this year, the difference between 4, 5 and 6 was very close. As such, I have this first Round 1 game of this simulate bracket ending in blowout fashion. So looking forward to spending some time in Dallas and meeting everyone there. "Now going forward, we've got a few more boxes to check".
Clemson played Notre Dame during a hurricane on the way to its first College Football Playoff appearance.
"They've been a model of consistency". "We'll be in a great, dry environment, and it should be a lot of fun". Dabo has done an incredible job of building a consistent, elite football team year in and year out. We did what we've had to do when there are opponents in front of us, and I've voiced that to the rest of the team as well.
"Well, just, first of all, that stadium".
"Sometimes I see the criteria, and the criteria's not fitting what's happening", he said. They deserve to be in this playoff, and I hope that's a decision that's made (Sunday).