2015 Heisman Trophy Predictions: Cody Kessler

USC’s Cody Kessler is primed for a big and successful 2015-16 season. The 5th year senior is on the watch list for multiple quarterback awards, such as the Davey O’Brien and Wuerffel trophies. Under the radar largely due to the success of the Oregon Ducks and Marcus Mariota in 2014-15, as well as the UCLA Bruins and Brett Hundley, 2015-16 is definitely Cody Kessler’s year to shine.

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On top of being the most important key and role of success to the Trojans offense, it is not far-fetched that Kessler is a Heisman Trophy frontrunner. He returns his top targets in Adoree Jackson and JuJu Smith.  And, as long as Justin Davis can stay healthy, the combo of he and Tre Madden can only open up the field more for Kessler to manage a high-powered Trojan offense.

Kessler’s 39/5 touchdown-interception rate, near 4,000 yards passing, and 70-percent completion rate from his 2014-15 season, are hard numbers to dismiss regarding Heisman talk for Cody Kessler. Kessler has plenty of company with the likes of Trevone Boykin, Ezekiel Elliot, Nick Chubb, and Braxton Miller all among the top-5 in the race.

A year more experienced with freshman standouts, now sophomores, and a NFL prospect-potential offensive linemen to help, Kessler can certainly top his under the radar 2014-15 season stats. USC, like any other team, has holes that need to be addressed. But coming into the 2015-16 season, the Trojans look much more prepared to avoid large setbacks that prevented a 10-win season last year.

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Consistency in big games as well as games on the road will be under the microscope with Cody Kessler. The Trojans were an even 3-3 on the road in 2014.  In USC’s 4 losses last year, Kessler failed to compile QB ratings over 60-percent, and only compiled more than 2 touchdown passes in the loss vs. Boston College. Three out of the four Trojan losses occurred in the Pac-12, and as the competition only grows stiffer,  there are road games at Arizona St., Cal, and Oregon. Not to mention a potential trap game at Colorado between the Arizona and Oregon match ups. Cody Kessler will have to impress the committee in many, if not all, of those games to build steam and remain a Heisman candidate.

It is by far no cake walk for Cody Kessler to win the heisman, but his chances are quite solid. If he can lead the Trojans to an 11-12 win season and top his 2014-15 numbers, it’s hard NOT to imagine a QB with over 4,000 yards and 40 passing TD’s to be overlooked as Heisman winner. The Pac-12 is arguably the top power conference in the nation. Stanford, Arizona, and Arizona St. All return many starters with amazing quality and talent at the quarterback position. And, USC must face them all.

Cody Kessler’s Heisman chances lie within a highly successful season for the Trojans as a unit.  Personal accolades aside, the primary goal is the College Football Playoff, and a National Championship.