With no disrespect meant at all toward the fine people at San Jose State, the decision to name Matt Barkley as Southern Cal’s starting quarterback is of no import for the regular-season opener.
None.
USC could start Charles Barkley -- the TNT Chuck, not the Auburn one -- under center for that game, and it wouldn’t matter.
However, the following weekend... in Columbus... 105,000 fans, 100,000 or so of whom will have come down with full-throated scarlet & gray fever... well, that’s another matter entirely.
It’s an atmosphere that’s enough to make even the most seasoned collegiate vet’s huevos head north. Throw in the fact that it’s a true freshman making his first road start against the No. 6 team in the country, and it’s the perfect recipe for the Los Angeles Times to take a few steps toward the ledge.
Chris Dufresne of the Times is openly queasy about the decision of Pete Carroll to anoint Barkley this early, and at this point in time. Dufresne seemed to intimate that it was a decision Carroll wanted to make, seemed destined to make, and the injury to Aaron Corp gave Carroll the perfect vehicle to drive on with his plan of Barkley sooner rather than later.
Reporter: “What about Corp?”
Carroll: “Split a nail on his index finger.”
Reporter: “Throwing hand?”
Carroll: “No, non-throwing, but Barkley seized his opportunity while Corp was getting it taped.”
If not a cracked fibula, would Corp have been replaced because of (pick one): migraine, dandruff, ear infection, common cold, high cholesterol, sniffles?
Again, no offense meant, but any school that has been beaten five straight times by top-five teams -- most in embarrassing fashion -- should not have the word “overconfidence” in their dictionary and/or vocabulary. Nor should their fan base, regardless of the age and experience level of the player coming to town.
And especially when said freshman has a wealth of talent coming along with him.