It’s ironic that the B1G didn’t want Stanford University, as the Cardinal have been in the top half of the Conference of (real NCAA) Champions as we reveal today on Pac-12 Friday. With the fifth-best winning percentage in league play over a 102-season span, Stanford has proven itself worthy with 14 conference titles, 29 bowl invitations, and 20 finishes in the Associated Press poll’s Top 20/25 rankings. Go figure.

5. 2013

The Cardinal unfortunately lost the 100th Rose Bowl to Michigan State in a close contest, but this team belongs on this short list of the best in school history. Finishing No. 5 in the SRS rankings overall, Stanford posted an 11-3 record, won the Pac-12, and ended up No. 11 in the AP poll. The team was led by the No. 10 defense in the country, playing against the No. 4 SOS, too. Its three losses came by a combined 13 points.

4. 1969

Interesting that two teams after this won the Rose Bowl (see below), and this team only managed a 7-2-1 record. However, the Indians (at the time) ranked No. 9 in the SRS overall, based on the No. 8 offense and the No. 21 SOS. Stanford lost its two games by 3 points combined, both on the road, including a one-point loss to our pick for the MNC (our pick for the Heisman). The final No. 19 AP spot was insulting, considering.

3. 1940

Finishing second in the AP poll, this team went undefeated (10-0) after winning the Rose Bowl over No. 7 Nebraska. The Indians were No. 4 in the SRS rankings overall, behind the No. 21 offense playing the No. 13 SOS. Overall, Stanford beat five ranked teams in its 10 games, including a road win over No. 19 Washington State and a road win in the Big Game against California. Five opponents combined for 20 total points.

2. 1970

Stanford won the Rose Bowl for the first of two consecutive seasons, and the Indians finished 9-3 with their Heisman vote winner in charge. Playing the No. 6 SOS, this Stanford squad ended up No. 10 in the SRS rankings overall and No. 8 in the final AP poll. The three losses were all bad ones, to some extent, coming by a combined 37 points—including the Big Game on the road. But the Rose Bowl win makes up for a lot here.

1. 2010

Surprisingly, the 2012 Stanford squad that we awarded our MNC to did not make this list. But this Cardinal team that went 12-1 and finished No. 4 in the AP poll rates out better, obviously. In 2010, Stanford was No. 1 in the SRS rankings overall, which is the key. The team featured the No. 9 offense, the No. 10 defense, and the No. 13 SOS. The only loss came on the road to our actual MNC pick (Oregon). Incredible season, overall.