UCLA Bruins: Three reasons this is a make or break season for Josh Rosen

Sam Darnold could easily run him under the table

If not careful or good enough, Josh Rosen could become an afterthought in terms of the best talent in Southern California if Sam Darnold has the kind of season most in the media expect him too. Some of that talk about Darnold has to do with the potential to be a Heisman winner, or at least a strong candidate.

The same can’t be said about Rosen coming into this season, and if you factor in the hype that he had his Freshman year, that’s a long way to fall off.

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Expectations for Sam Darnold could also be a blessing in disguise for Rosen, as the pressure may get to Darnold more than most think it will. USC has a top four ranking in the preseason standings, with a chance to move up as soon as Week 1 if they win.

This because top ranked Alabama plays third ranked Florida State to kick the season off, and a loss by either of those teams gives reasons to bump the Trojans more.

Additionally, this means that the final game of the season between the Trojans and the Bruins will just be that much more meaningful. Obviously, the hope is that the game holds up to the legacy of the rivalry, but it could come down to two good quarterbacks trying to one up the other to make it to the NFL.

Standing out matters in college, so what Rosen can’t afford to do versus Darnold is be quiet. It doesn’t have to be the best game of his career versus USC, but trying to outplay an early Heisman contender is never easy.

But if he does it, imagine what that’ll tell NFL scouts about his ability to perform under pressure and the level of maturity he’s developed along the way.