The Clemson Dubcast

On the eve of Clemson-LSU in New Orleans, Upstate radio celebrity Mickey Plyler joins The Dubcast for some conversation about what has all the looks of one of the great national championship matchups in college football history. Then again, we thought the same thing a year ago and Clemson smoked Alabama by four touchdowns.

A year ago at this time, Paul Myerberg was one of the few who thought Clemson could not just beat Alabama but beat the Tide handily. A year later, he's still bullish on Clemson as it heads into the lion's den against LSU at the Superdome. We check in with Paul to revisit some silly narratives and notions about the Tigers from last offseason and well into this season, and to take a deeper look at just how historic a Clemson triumph would be.

Chris Blair got his start in South Carolina while learning from Clemson legend Jim Phillips. Now he'll call the national championship game as the voice of the LSU Tigers. Jerry Brewer, who normally covers the NFL and NBA, on all the work and homework he put in to perfectly capture the essence of Trevor Lawrence and Clemson in his game column from the Fiesta Bowl.

Longtime national writer Matt Hayes joins The Dubcast to reflect on Dabo Swinney's impact on college football while also sizing up Saturday night's showdown in the desert. Matt Connolly of The State visits to give his take on Clemson entering its fifth consecutive CFP appearance.

Former Clemson football player Billy Davis, who played on the 1981 national championship team, tells stories from his near three decades in the Secret Service. He also reflects on the brilliant tenure of Dabo Swinney and why he's believed in him from the beginning -- even after the 6-7 disappointment of 2010.

Ellis Johnson reminisces about the old days at Alabama with Dabo Swinney, reflects on when he thought Steve Spurrier might be about to hang it up in 2008, and gives his take on this year's star-studded College Football Playoff.

David Teel, longtime observer of the ACC in general and Virginia in particular, visits with The Dubcast to give his insight into the remarkable revitalization of Cavaliers football under Bronco Mendenhall. Teel also tells old stories about going drinking with Danny Ford back in the 1980s.

David Hale joins The Dubcast to give his thoughts on college football as a whole and Clemson football in particular. Andy Staples also checks in to talk a little football and a lot of smoking/grilling on the Big Green Egg with Thanksgiving looming.

Dabo Swinney's mother, Carol McIntosh, shares the story of how she overcame a tragic childhood and how her son's fighting spirit is similar to hers. Also, former Clemson president Jim Barker offers some rich and fascinating anecdotes from his relationship with Dabo.

On Dabo Swinney's 50th birthday, we interview four figures who have witnessed his leadership up close: Current university president Jim Clements, Board of Trustees member David Wilkins, deputy athletics director Graham Neff, and former Clemson player and coach Thomas Austin.