STANFORD, Calif. (AP) There is no momentum from a major bowl berth, no satisfaction from surprising skeptics and no sugarcoating the challenge ahead for Stanford.

For the first time in five years, the Cardinal kicked off spring practice Monday night the way so many other programs do: out to show they belong among the country's best after a season that fell short of expectations.

"I love it," Stanford coach David Shaw said. "There's a hunger right now. As much as we try not to worry about what other people say about us, it's nice when people talk about our conference and don't talk about us. Our guys get a little upset. I think that's great. Because the bottom line is you have to prove yourself every year."