UCLA Football: Why Josh Rosen may not be Chosen as Heisman winner

PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Josh Rosen
PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Josh Rosen /
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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Rosen
PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Rosen /

The Impact

All the flashiest stats in the world don’t mean a thing if the team isn’t winning. Rosen can put up 40 touchdowns, but if the Bruins miss a bowl game, then there is no way he remains a Heisman hopeful.

More from Go Joe Bruin

Winston and Cam Newton both led their teams to the promise land in their Heisman years, while Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks came oh so close, losing 42-20 against Ohio State in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship.

UCLA has seen a bowl game just once in Rosen’s first two seasons, a 37-29 loss to Nebraska in the Foster Farms Bowl. He only played six games in 2016 and went 3-3 in that time. Although the overall record isn’t eye-popping, Rosen can’t be blamed for the 4-8 record the Bruins finished with.

Their start so far this season has been a bit shaky. UCLA is 3-2, but losses to Memphis and Stanford are two blemishes that won’t be forgotten unless the Bruins collect a signature win or two. Rosen can go a long way in helping his Heisman chances by putting up big numbers against Washington and USC, and leaving those matches with a win.