1. Pardon the trope seasonal analogy, but as we listened to Dabo Swinney shed light on Clemson's scholarship situation last week, we couldn't help but draw the connection to our waistlines through the holiday weekend.
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After finishing the regular season, the Tigers seemingly found themselves with some roster room to spare upon the departures of nine players to the transfer portal.
Then, upon putting the finishing touches on a 27-member signing class that featured four new December acquisitions, Swinney told reporters that Clemson doesn't "have any room at the inn hardly" for further additions -- "hardly" being the operative word.
That's because several upperclassmen with recruiting eligibilty had privately expressed to Swinney the surprise intent to return for another season.
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Suddenly that roster was as full as Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo's Christmas sweater.
One can foresee the belt loosening over time, though, in the form of attrition.
But if Clemson is going to bring in any transfers, that attrition would need to happen immediately after the Orange Bowl in order for the newcomers to report in January.
What we do need to make clear is that Swinney isn't exaggerating on the scholarship squeeze.
By our count, Clemson is on the books for 83 scholarship players next season. And that isn't counting if the Tigers were to entertain an extra year for Xavier Thomas, Tyler Davis, Joseph Ngata, Justin Mascoll or several others who might be considering extending their college careers.
We are constantly asked about projected class size and scholarship numbers.
Well, here's why we have to hem and haw typically. Because there are a bunch of variables in play that can quickly change the math.
Timing is usually everything. It will be again as Swinney sorts out his available space in the coming weeks, perhaps as late as the Jan. 16 deadline for NFL Draft entry -- for which defensive tackle Bryan Bresee has a decision to make.
2. Per our custom, we begin by closing the book on Clemson's newest acquisitions.
