As we count down 50 days until the start of the 2014 college football season, ESPN Insider Travis Haney is answering at least one big question a day until South Carolina and Texas A&M’s kickoff Aug. 28.

Heisman contenders, breakout freshmen, conference winners -- it will all be covered as part of Insider’s Ultimate Season Preview.

Today’s question: Is this the year that Stanford finally takes a step backward?

After four consecutive BCS bowl appearances and back-to-back Pac-12 titles, your first instinct is to say no -- or at least that you’ll believe it when you see it. But I checked in with a resident expert at ESPN Radio, “College GameDay” producer “Stanford” Steve Coughlin, and he thinks there will be some regression for the Cardinal in 2014.

It’s due to the schedule more than anything, he said.