Stanford went to top-tier bowl games in four straight years from 2010-2013, but the program tumbled to a five-loss finish in 2014. The Cardinal entered the 2015 season at a crossroads, and responded by taking the path back up to the Pac-12 mountaintop. Stanford won its third Pac-12 title in four years, and will make the now-familiar trip to the Rose Bowl in a couple of weeks.

This season saw some cataclysmic shifts on the Farm. The Cardinal's defense -- as expected following the loss of nine starters -- took a dive, but a remarkable offensive surge more than made up for it. Stanford averaged 40.9 points per league game, the top figure in the Pac-12, and that pushed the Cardinal to an 11-2 finish. The defense did show up at critical junctures and the special teams efficiency was among the best in the nation, which ensured another conference title for coach David Shaw.

Co-MVPs: Quarterback Kevin Hogan and running back Christian McCaffrey. The latter etched his name into the record books by breaking Barry Sanders' single-season record for all-purpose yards, but the former proved just as important -- especially when defenses zeroed in on McCaffrey. Together, these two players formed the bedrock for the best Stanford offense since Andrew Luck roamed campus. McCaffrey was the most versatile player in the nation, and Hogan came through repeatedly in the clutch to form the glue of a talented attack.

Season highlights: The Cardinal ripped off an eight-game winning streak following their disappointing season opener. This tear featured a bevy of eye-popping moments, and Francis Owusu's behind-the-opponent's-back circus catch topped the list. Stanford's second win streak of the season has lasted only three games so far, but it's already featured McCaffrey's dazzling catch-and-run against rival California, Hogan's storybook finish against Notre Dame, and an individual performance for the ages in the Pac-12 title game. Yeah, a lot of fun happened for Stanford in 2015.

Season lowlights: It's hard to fathom that an offense so potent didn't score a touchdown and averaged only 3.9 yards per play in a season-opening 16-6 loss at Northwestern. But, yes, that happened. And so did two fourth-quarter fumbles in a 38-36 home loss to Oregon more than two months later. Those were the blemishes on Stanford's record.

Biggest reason for optimism heading into 2016: The Cardinal will be loaded with talent at the offensive skill positions again, and their inexperienced defense will have another offseason of maturity under its belt. McCaffrey will be back, and speedster Bryce Love should again provide a scary counterpunch along with a host of hulking tight ends. If Harrison Phillips and Solomon Thomas continue to develop into stalwarts along the defensive line, Stanford has the young talent to also be good on the back end.

Biggest area of need heading into 2016: Hogan has exhausted his eligibility, so the Cardinal will need a quarterback to hold the offense together. Keller Chryst is the favorite to assume that role, but he will also be dependent on an offensive line that must replace elite performers Joshua Garnett and Kyle Murphy. And the defensive line needs more bodies to emerge, because Aziz Shittu and Brennan Scarlett will both be gone.

Odds and ends: Those who watched Stanford in 2015 might have noticed that Shaw added some serious zeal to his previously stoic demeanor on the sideline. We documented this mood change here.