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USC's greatest asset is its greatest liability

Matt Cashore / USA TODAY Sports

Sam Darnold entered the season as the face of college football. Now, he is the face of interceptions, fumbles, and an underachieving, two-loss USC team.

When he's on, it's hard to find a better quarterback in the country. His footwork is fluid, his arm is strong, his throws are decisive.

But rarely this year has the sophomore been on, and a week after he served as USC's greatest asset in a comeback win over Utah, Darnold reminded the country that he's also its greatest liability.

Only once this year has the 6-foot-4 pivot finished a game without throwing an interception. He committed his 10th of the campaign Saturday against Notre Dame after staring down his receiver and delivering a hopeless ball off his back foot into coverage.

Darnold also lost his fifth fumble of the season, helping the Fighting Irish massacre the Trojans, 49-14. Nobody in the FBS has lost more loose balls in 2017.

And yet, for all the struggles, he's still produced his share of brilliant moments, flashing the talent that NFL scouts fell in love with last year.

A week ago, Darnold was nearly flawless in the second half versus the Utes. He diced up Stanford on Sept. 9, throwing for 316 yards and four touchdowns with only five incompletions - granted, two of them went to the other team.

Even against Notre Dame, there were bright spots, when Darnold showed off his mobility and accuracy outside the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield during scrambles.

How much of Darnold's inconsistencies this season can be pinned on him, versus the coaching staff, is a valid question. The signal-caller, himself, has hinted at a disconnect with offensive coordinator Tee Martin, though many of his mistakes have been self-inflicted.

Nonetheless, the bottom line is that all eyes were on Darnold when the season began, yet it now seems USC fans can hardly watch whenever he drops back to pass - for better or for worse.

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