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Pac-12 Football: Biggest offseason question for every team

By Charles Rahrig V

Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the annual 2017 Spring Game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum . Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the annual 2017 Spring Game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum . Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

8. USC – Is the College Football Playoff next for the Trojans?

At long last, the USC Trojans have the Pac-12 at their feet again. When it looked like they were on the fast track to disaster in 2016, Clay Helton made the decision to switch to Sam Darnold at quarterback and the team never looked back.

Darnold led one of the most incredible comebacks in Rose Bowl history, as the Trojans rallied to defeat the Penn State Nittany Lions. He established himself as a star and now has firmly planted himself on every Heisman list.

It doesn’t stop there either for Darnold and the Trojans. They’re going to get plenty of buzz when it comes to the College Football Playoff this season and rightfully so. If Darnold continues to get better and plays the way he should, the Trojans are going to be hard to stop.

Now, it’s hard to go undefeated in the conference and the Washington Huskies learned that last year, thanks in part to USC. If there’s anyone that has the ability to write another Hollywood story and leave his name among the greats to bring home a National Championship, it’s Darnold.

He’s shown that the spotlight doesn’t get to him and that he can rally in any situation. Can he lead the Trojans to the College Football Playoff? It would be his greatest feat yet and a Heisman would likely come with it.

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