Dabo Swinney named names. The Clemson coach is blowing the whistle with allegations of tampering by an SEC school. 

Swinney says he's decided to sic the feeble NCAA on Mississippi coach Pete Golding, after Swinney accused the Rebels coach of tampering to plunder a player off Clemson's roster.

Oh, boy.

On the one hand, kudos to Swinney for actually naming names. Many coaches bellyache of tampering, but few come with any evidence or firm accusations. Swinney broke the mold.

On the other hand, big whoop. Someone might need to inform Swinney that he'd have better luck getting justice from the Keystone Cops than NCAA enforcement.

While it's hard to fault Swinney for being frustrated, especially if it all went down like he claims, he better not get his hopes up. In case Swinney hadn't noticed, the NCAA hasn't effectively enforced its rules for many years now.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams react to Swinney blowing the whistle on Ole Miss and what they expect to come of it. (Hint: Not much.)

Before they get to Swinney, the hosts weigh in on USA TODAY's "too early" top 25 rankings for the 2026 season. They highlight some SEC teams that are overrated and a couple that might be underrated.

Adams gets sucked into the hype machine for one SEC team, in particular. Toppmeyer is tempted to buy stock in an unranked SEC team with a new coach that's making noise in the transfer portal.

Dabo Swinney named names. The Clemson coach is blowing the whistle with allegations of tampering by an SEC school.&nbsp;
Swinney says he's <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/acc/2026/01/23/dabo-swinney-calls-out-pete-golding-ole-miss-football-tampering-luke-ferrelli-transfer-clemson/88325042007/" aria-label="Link decided to sic the feeble NCAA">decided to sic the feeble NCAA</a> on Mississippi coach Pete Golding, after Swinney accused the Rebels coach of tampering to plunder a player off Clemson's roster.
Oh, boy.
On the one hand, kudos to Swinney for actually naming names. Many coaches bellyache of tampering, but few come with any evidence or firm accusations. Swinney broke the mold.
On the other hand, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/26/dabo-swinney-says-ole-miss-tampered-exposes-clemsons-own-flaws-pete-golding-luke-ferrelli/88368934007/" aria-label="Link big whoop">big whoop</a>. Someone might need to inform Swinney that he'd have better luck getting justice from the Keystone Cops than NCAA enforcement.
While it's hard to fault Swinney for being frustrated, especially if it all went down like he claims, he better not get his hopes up. In case Swinney hadn't noticed, the NCAA hasn't effectively enforced its rules for many years now.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> react to Swinney blowing the whistle on Ole Miss and what they expect to come of it. (Hint: Not much.)
Before they get to Swinney, the hosts weigh in on <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/19/college-football-too-early-top-25-rankings-2026-season/88159056007/" aria-label="Link USA TODAY's &quot;too early&quot; top 25 rankings">USA TODAY's "too early" top 25 rankings</a> for the 2026 season. They highlight some SEC teams that are overrated and a couple that might be underrated.
Adams gets sucked into the hype machine for one SEC team, in particular. Toppmeyer is tempted to buy stock in <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/22/to-find-next-indiana-football-see-kentucky-and-ucla-basketball-schools/88269764007/" aria-label="Link an unranked SEC team with a new coach">an unranked SEC team with a new coach</a> that's making noise in the transfer portal.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

Dabo Swinney named names. The Clemson coach is blowing the whistle with allegations of tampering by an SEC school.  Swinney says he's decided to sic the feeble NCAA on Mississippi coach Pete Golding, after Swinney accused the Rebels coach of tampering to plunder a player off Clemson's roster. Oh, boy. On the one hand, kudos to Swinney for actually naming names. Many coaches bellyache of tampering, but few come with any evidence or firm accusations. Swinney broke the mold. On the other hand, big whoop. Someone might need to inform Swinney that he'd have better luck getting justice from the Keystone Cops than NCAA enforcement. While it's hard to fault Swinney for being frustrated, especially if it all went down like he claims, he better not get his hopes up. In case Swinney hadn't noticed, the NCAA hasn't effectively enforced its rules for many years now. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams react to Swinney blowing the whistle on Ole Miss and what they expect to come of it. (Hint: Not much.) Before they get to Swinney, the hosts weigh in on USA TODAY's "too early" top 25 rankings for the 2026 season. They highlight some SEC teams that are overrated and a couple that might be underrated. Adams gets sucked into the hype machine for one SEC team, in particular. Toppmeyer is tempted to buy stock in an unranked SEC team with a new coach that's making noise in the transfer portal.