Most could argue that last year's club could've competed with any other team in the country. With wins over UCLA, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Arizona State twice, there was enough evidence to make a decent argument. Slips on the road to Utah and USC along with a Rose Bowl loss to Michigan State didn't allow the Cardinal to reach their potential as a top five team. Those three losses mentioned were all away from home and this year's team will be challenged again on the road. Every road game on the schedule seems to be a tough matchup, even when they visit rival Cal. Their success outside Palo Alto will reveal just how successful this team can be.