I find it a curious decision, but USC has decided to go with true freshman Matt Barkley in its opener against San Jose State. He’ll be the first true frosh to start a season opener at QB for the Trojans.
Of course, he is being set up to succeed in the short run, as three of USC’s first four games are against San Jose State, Washington and Washington State. The other is Ohio State, which would’ve been a tough haul regardless. So Barkley and USC probably start out no worse than 3-1 before hitting the rough part of the schedule. Pete Carroll is betting that Barkley will be up to speed by then.
I think you can pretty much cross USC off the list of serious title contenders right now, as only one true freshman quarterback has ever won a national championship and that was Jamelle Holloway, who ran the wishbone for Oklahoma in 1985, not a pro-style offense.
In the meantime, I am curious to see what defensive whiz Dick Tomey has in store for the young Mr. Barkley on Sept. 5.
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Recent HP media mentions: ESPN College Game Day (12/3) ... VS./NBC CFB Talk (12/5) ... SJ Mercury News (12/5) ... Seattle Times (12/5) ... Idaho Statesman (12/5) ... Associated Press (12/6) ... Huntsville Times (12/6)
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Interview with WJOX Birmingham (11/30)
Interview with ESPN Radio in Waco (12/2)
The Mandel Initiative (podcast), Stew Mandel, (Listen)
THE HP HEISMAN WATCH
