championship years. Very difficult to go undefeated, that is why it is key for the long term success, and by success I mean in contention almost every year, you must either pass the "eye test", or defeat a lot of very good or at least ranked opponents if you are going to have that one loss. Bottom line is to be looked at as a legitimate contender and respected enough even with one loss.
Winning it all this year would definitely work, winning at least one would help but a little less or winning one and losing one closely would help somewhere in between.