But then Barkley legitimately started challenging for the job, and I became a little concerned. A true freshman starting at quarterback? For USC? When it started to become an actual possibility, I started to freak out. Not that there was necessarily a better option, since Aaron Corp doesn't have any more significant experience and the only guy who does, Mustain, was never seriously in the running for the job.
When Pete Carroll named Barkley the starter, I wasn't thrilled. But I'm an SC fan, and I want SC to do well, and if Carroll and his coaching staff think Barkley's a better bet than a guy who was 8-0 as a started in the SEC, I'm certainly in no position to argue.
And after seeing Matt Barkley in action against San Jose State, I have no complaints. The coaching staff didn't ask him to do too much, the O-line helped him make things happen, and after airing out a few passes on the first drive, he settled into the role like he was born for it.
Sure it was San Jose State, not Ohio State, but Barkley connected with his receivers on quite a few plays that were just flat-out gorgeous. Pete Carroll, John Morton and Jeremy Bates did a great job of easing Barkley into his new role - unlike the way the Oklahoma Sooners staff prepared sudden substitute Landry Jones - and after his performance, I'm a lot more confident Barkley will be able to handle the job.
I won't go so far as to say, as the announcers did, that the first Trojans touchdown drive showed Barkley was "coming of age as a quarterback" - that'll be this weekend in The Horseshoe - but he's a lot closer than I expected.
Brooklyn Decker
Melissa Haro
Best Players 6-5 and Under
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I've never tried stilettos, are they anything like cleets?
I am a true Ohio State fan who would love to see OSU upset USC, but that is what it would be...an upset.
Ajswinner
Ajswinner
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