Getty ImagesAs of a few weeks ago, USC coach Lane Kiffin indicated star quarterback Matt Barkley could be ready to play in the Sun Bowl against Georgia Tech. Barkley missed his final home game against Notre Dame with a shoulder injury he suffered late in a loss to UCLA the week before.
While Barkley could still play against the Yellow Jackets, he still hasn’t participated in practice since the injury. The Sun Bowl is now just over a week away.
“We’re going to look at it when we get down there (to El Paso), and see if he can practice,’’ Kiffin said via the OC Register.
If Barkley is unable to play, backup Max Wittek would start for the second straight time this year. Wittek threw for 186 yards, a touchdown and two picks against Notre Dame in his first start.
But here’s hoping Barkley can start. His career hasn’t been filled with the awards and championships like many fans and media thought it would be, but Barkley’s been a model example of how to handle adversity.
With all respect due Barkley, I’d rather see Wittek get more playing time. Barkley had multiple chances this year to take the Trojans somewhere and failed. He’s gone, so play the guy who’ll be in the position next year and get him more experience.
He may choose to sit it out to keep his draft stock from falling again
Being a notre dame fan i dont believe he failed…he put up quality numbers all year the problem is so did USCs defense, to other offenses that is…if you want to blame anyone for the lack of championships and accolades you can start with pete and continue right on to lane and his dad (monte)…i commend barkley for sticking with a university that really put him in a no win situation..if i was him id sit out and get ready for my pro day because he has given enough to that university and hes going ti need his pro day because his stock is not cery high right now….GO IRISH!!
Which QB has had the best NFL career, Pat Haden, Rodney Peete, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart or Mark Sanchez? Will Barkley been better than all or none of them?
Poor mechanics. Unable to move out of the pocket. Not a game-changer. Not a winner.
Don’t play , only something bad can happen
So the NC game this year is in El Paso? I mean that is where USC was supposed to be playing right?
2013 – Kiffin’s last year at USC.
#LiftTheUTcurse
Sorry Matt. You are over rated. No surprise here. Maybe you can be a water boy for Pete and his GF in Seattle, and leave town.
Go with Wittek…I think he’s got better tools than Barkley albeit only one game of experience. If Barkley is 100%, maybe play him for the 1st half & then pass the baton to Wittek. It’s not like GT should be too difficult of an opponent. SC has over a month to prepare for the read option. They’re too talented to not win this game easily.
Usc fans are forever indebted to Barkley for leading the program through our darkest hour. Thanks Matt. I hope u don’t play and get well so you can get paid what u deserve. Good luck in the nfl ….
I think he has earned the right to sit it out, he should get well and ready for his first professional season. There’s nothing really left for him to prove, we’ll at least not that he could prove in this game.
I had this pegged as the biggest blowout of all the bowls. No way should GT be able to hang with USC. But with QB uncertainty and Kiffen’s inability to get guys ready, who knows now? Could Kiffen survive going from them being picked to go to the national title game to losing 6 games?
zurnvs says:
Dec 23, 2012 2:15 PM
Which QB has had the best NFL career, Pat Haden, Rodney Peete, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart or Mark Sanchez? Will Barkley been better than all or none of them?
I’ll say it was Vince Evans, how many years did he collect a Raiders pay check?
As well, if I’m the coaching staff at SC, I’d let the seniors start the game and sit them all after the 1st. This is to big an oportunity to get the under classmen game time reps and experience.
Playing the seniors in a Bowl game they wish they weren’t even at is fruitless.
I’d play both Max W. and Cody Kessler, what do they have to lose?