Here is Ted Miller's answer to this situation. He's got it covered from a bunch of angles.
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Let's understand the bedrock of this decision first: Aaron Corp is injured. It is unlikely he will be full speed by the opener against San Jose State on Sept. 5. If Corp never got hurt, despite the gist of what the USC coaches are saying, he probably would have started the opener.
Now, the Trojans coaches have a couple of strategic issues at work here within their locker room: 1. They don't want it to seem they are going with a stop-gap solution; 2. They want Matt Barkley to go into the season feeling as confident as possible -- and his teammates to feel the same.
So Pete Carroll anointed Barkley. For now. Unless he doesn't play well.
This is not to say that Barkley isn't special. It's been clear for a while that Barkley's refined talent, poise and intelligence have intrigued Carroll and his staff.
My sense is that the USC coaches believe Barkley might actually go out and kick butt, first against San Jose State and then at Ohio State. And, if so, that means "away we go" with the next big thing in college football.
And if he doesn't? Corp's leg should be ready to go -- or at least a lot better -- before the Sept. 12 visit to the Horseshoe.
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That sums it all up nicely.
**********************************************************
Let's understand the bedrock of this decision first: Aaron Corp is injured. It is unlikely he will be full speed by the opener against San Jose State on Sept. 5. If Corp never got hurt, despite the gist of what the USC coaches are saying, he probably would have started the opener.
Now, the Trojans coaches have a couple of strategic issues at work here within their locker room: 1. They don't want it to seem they are going with a stop-gap solution; 2. They want Matt Barkley to go into the season feeling as confident as possible -- and his teammates to feel the same.
So Pete Carroll anointed Barkley. For now. Unless he doesn't play well.
This is not to say that Barkley isn't special. It's been clear for a while that Barkley's refined talent, poise and intelligence have intrigued Carroll and his staff.
My sense is that the USC coaches believe Barkley might actually go out and kick butt, first against San Jose State and then at Ohio State. And, if so, that means "away we go" with the next big thing in college football.
And if he doesn't? Corp's leg should be ready to go -- or at least a lot better -- before the Sept. 12 visit to the Horseshoe.
*******************************************************
That sums it all up nicely.
