UCLA Football: 3 reasons Josh Rosen will outplay Sam Darnold

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PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins tosses the ball after scoring a touchdown on a short run during the first half of a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

1. Josh Rosen did not get the chance to play vs. USC last year

Rosen is the type of quarterback to play his best when the spotlight is the brightest. Furthermore, his career has been somewhat hampered by injuries that cost him more than half of his sophomore campaign last year.

UCLA finished with only four wins in 2016, largely because Rosen was out of the lineup. However, Rosen could end up leading the Bruins to a seven win campaign this season if things go well to round out the regular season.

Look at Rosen’s performance when it mattered most against the Texas A&M Aggies in the season opener. He spearheaded a 35-point comeback that resulted in a UCLA victory. He also threw for nearly 400 yards and came up with two key touchdowns in last week’s victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils.

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It’s not to say that Rosen will win the game for the Bruins. But, he will keep them competitive. The only game that Rosen missed this year, which came in a convincing loss to the Utah Utes, showed what this offense is like without him. He’ll be the reason that Darnold and the Trojans have to really earn this win.

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