Comparison of Pac-12 Heisman-winning Quarterbacks: Matt Leinart vs Marcus Mariota

The Pac-12 football era has officially ended, with Washington State and Oregon State representing the conference on paper but not in practice. The Pac-12 can be considered dead, frozen in time or in a deep coma, no longer functioning as a significant entity. Looking back on the history of Pac-12 football, comparing Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks from different years is an interesting exercise.

In 2004, Matt Leinart led USC to great success under Pete Carroll, throwing 33 touchdowns with a low interception rate. He was a key part of a dynamic offense that included Reggie Bush. In contrast, Marcus Mariota had a phenomenal season for Oregon in 2014, passing for over 4,400 yards with 42 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. While statistically Mariota had a better season, Leinart led USC to a national championship in 2004, something Mariota did not achieve.

It’s clear that USC fans would prefer Leinart’s championship-winning season over Mariota’s impressive statistics. For more sports coverage, check out Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire, as well as the newest sites for UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire. Stay up to date on NFL draft coverage with the USA TODAY Sports NFL Draft Hub.