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Swinney says he voted for Ohio State over Alabama in 'moment of insanity'

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Many people thought Ohio State was more deserving of the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff than Alabama - which ultimately earned the spot - and perhaps the most notable name among them was Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.

The defending national champion voted for the Buckeyes over his alma mater, Alabama, and explained why in humorous fashion during a joint press conference with Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.

"Three in the morning on a bus ride home from Charlotte, a moment of insanity, complete insanity," Swinney said, per Aaron Suttles of The Tuscaloosa News. "Literally it was 3 in the morning. Man, I gotta do this poll. Looking at it, you know, they (the Buckeyes) won 11 games. Alabama won 11 games. They (Ohio State) won the Big Ten championship. Obviously the committee has a lot of things to look at, a lot of data."

With the Crimson Tide grabbing the No. 4 spot, they will face No. 1 Clemson for the third straight season in the CFP. Saban emerged victorious in the 2015 title game, before the Tigers got revenge in last year's epic contest. With that in mind, Swinney jokingly said he tried to keep out his main coaching rival this time around, to no avail.

"I'm trying to get rid of him (Saban), but I can't shake him."

The two schools will meet in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day with a chance at a third straight appearance in the national championship on the line.

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