Heisman Watch 2017: Week 3

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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans scrambles with the football during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Strictly from a numbers standpoint, it’d be hard to say that Sam Darnold is deserving of still being in the Heisman Trophy race. Through two weeks, he has as many interceptions as touchdown passes (4) and has only thrown for 605 yards. Yes, he’s completed 74.6 percent of his passes, but the odd-on favorite to take home college football’s most prestigious award entering the season has been somewhat lackluster from a production sense.

With that being said, there’s always narrative involved when it comes to a Heisman race and Darnold has plenty of that. He’s still the savior of USC, which can’t be discounted. What’s more, he looked much better in the big, emphatic win over Stanford than he did against Western Michigan, throwing all four of his scores and for 316 yards in the big win. If he keeps improving and getting into a groove, that will only help his case.

Much like is the case with Rosen and Mayfield currently, though, there’s something to be said for being a leader. Whenever a team believes in a player who also puts up good numbers, that works in their favor when it comes to awards like the Heisman. Darnold has that in droves at USC. So if he can just get into a rhythm from here on out, it’d be silly to discount him as a viable candidate.

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