2. Stanford Cardinal Previous rank: 3 After playing in three consecutive BCS bowl games and winning the Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio this past season, Stanford signed the country's No. 40 recruiting class, according to ESPN RecruitingNation. But don't think for a second that its low ranking really matters. Stanford continues to do more with less than perhaps any Football Bowl Subdivision program in the country. Even after losing three underclassmen (tight ends Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo and cornerback Terrence Brown) to the NFL draft, the Cardinal should be a contender for a Pac-12 title in 2013. The Cardinal must also replace senior tailback Stepfan Taylor, who ran for 1,530 yards with 13 touchdowns, but quarterback Kevin Hogan figures to get better with more experience. Cardinal coach David Shaw and his staff signed only 12 recruits, but receiver Francis Owusu and three tight ends might provide some immediate help.

Given Stanford’s recent success on the field during Pac-12, outside conference and bowl game play, it’s hard to believe that in the last decade, the Stanford football program has had only four winning seasons. In fact, each of those winning seasons has come in the last four years. How then, has Stanford reached this level of success in such a short period of time?