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Mind Games: How Clemson built an undefeated mindset

The Clemson NCAA college football team arrives Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, in Phoenix. Clemson is scheduled to face Alabama on Monday in the college football championship game. (Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via AP) MARICOPA COUNTY OUT; MAGAZINES OUT; NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT The Clemson NCAA college football team arrives Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, in Phoenix. Clemson is scheduled to face Alabama on Monday in the college football championship game. (Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via AP) MARICOPA COUNTY OUT; MAGAZINES OUT; NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT

By Associated Press January 9, 2016 4 min read

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson had nearly wrapped up a summertime appearance when someone asked if the Tigers could win a national championship.

“No doubt about it,” Watson said with a grin. “15-0.”

Fifteen? Are there even that many games?

In the College Football Playoff era, the Tigers are trying to break new ground. Watson and the top-ranked Tigers are trying to make history as the first undefeated team with 15 wins against No. 2 Alabama on Monday night, hoping to finish off a goal set down as the ultimate target long ago.

Sure, there have been other undefeated teams. Clemson’s last national championship team in 1981 finished with a 12-0 record. Florida State was 14-0 in its national championship year two years ago. With the playoff in the mix, the Tigers could be the first team to reach 15-0.