Early Heisman case being made for featured USC player

Despite how disappointing the USC loss to Illinois was, the QB play from Jayden Maiava has simply impressed.

There is a lot of football to be played, of course. Being at the top of any potential standings or polls is not particularly meaningful at this point of the season.

Players and teams alike will have many more special moments. The additional games will also equally provide the opportunity for letdown performances.

All that can be evaluated right now, though, is the film that can be viewed from the games to this point. Maiava is only behind Baylor's Sawyer Robertson in terms of passing yards. With his 11 touchdowns and only one interception, the junior has the fourth-highest passer rating in the nation at 191.1.

The numbers alone will put him in the conversation toward the end of the year and could end up seeing him receiving an invite to New York City. Winning it will require him to also lead USC to a double-digit win season.

Although Travis Hunter won the award last season despite Colorado falling well short of the College Football Playoff, there is not going to be an athlete who does something that historically stands out. in the same way.

The bottom line is that this year's winner will need to put up the numbers and help his team to compile a lot of wins.

This is why Maiava is likely to remain in the discussion late on. Even if the Trojans fail to have a good season in the win column, the QB's production alone will warrant his continued stay in Heisman dialogues.

Potential path for USC QB

Playing in coach Lincoln Riley's system has certain advantages, particularly for the quarterback.

If Maiava is able to keep his footing on a couple of the missed throws from the Illinois game, then this offense will be impossible to stop, and he will have a great chance of adding to the USC legacy of producing Heisman winners.