Freshman Barkley named starter for USC

[1OSUNUT]

LOS ANGELES -- Freshman Matt Barkley has been named No. 4 Southern California's starting quarterback.

Coach Pete Carroll unexpectedly announced his decision Thursday, several hours before practice and two days before USC's mock game.

Barkley was perhaps the nation's most sought-after football recruit last year. The Orange County native graduated from high school one semester early to participate in spring practice at USC.

Sophomore Aaron Corp was named the Trojans' starter out of spring ball, but Barkley took advantage when Corp missed two weeks of workouts after breaking a small bone below his left knee Aug. 10.

Barkley is thought to be the first non-redshirt freshman quarterback to be picked to start a season opener for the Trojans.


The game is still going to be a battle - but I like the fact USC will start a freshman at night against the Buckeyes - on the road.

[Wolvrin704]

He may be a freshman but Carroll says this kid is the most talented guy he's ever had. If he can handle the pressure you guys may have more trouble than you can handle because he has a lot of weapons at his disposal.

[Bighouse]

Explain this posting OSU fans:

CLE23 8/27/2009 6:26:30 PMso it's now official, the line on sept 12 2009 has ohio state winning by 10 touchdowns.
barkley is a joke of a qb next to tpryor.

welcome to big10 football pete and the loser trojans.

buckeyes 70
usc 0

book it ya'll

This is how every buckeye fan feels. Why? What have you done to make such an outragous comment?

[1OSUNUT]

I don't think anybody things for a moment that the game will be easy. I do remember that the Buckeyes beat a very good Texas team in Colt McCoy's first big game start. He was not the player then that he has become. I much rather play Barkley now at home then to have to play him leter in the season or next year.

[Wolvrin704]

I don't think anybody things for a moment that the game will be easy. I do remember that the Buckeyes beat a very good Texas team in Colt McCoy's first big game start. He was not the player then that he has become. I much rather play Barkley now at home then to have to play him leter in the season or next year.

I would agree but McCoy didn't have the offensive skill players or O-line around him that Barkley will have either.

[NorCal Buckeye]

I don't care how good this kid is supposed to be, if our defense doesn't eat him alive then we are not going to be anywhere near as good as we hope we are.

As far as I'm concerned, Carroll is serving him (and the game) up on a plate for us. I would go with the vet (Mustain) any day, but what do I know?

Let's feast, boys. Go Bucks!:D

[Bighouse]

I would go with the vet (Mustain) any day, but what do I know?

Apparently nothing:confused:

[Silver Bullet]

Knowing nothing about the kid except that he's a true freshman....I couldn't be happier. This is a new defense he will be going up against and I'm optimistic that they will be able to rattle his cage a little and bait him into some bad passes. It's going to be a great game in a great atmosphere.

[Mich97c]

Expect to see a steady diet of McKnight and Gable. Didn't McKnight average like 10 yards a carry last year? That O-line is good - your LB's better be ready.

[Wolvrin704]

Your D-line got ate up by their O-line last year. Whats going to change this year?

[Silver Bullet]

Your D-line got ate up by their O-line last year. Whats going to change this year?

There is a lot more depth on the line this year and as the game goes on, OSU is going to be fresher and able to counter USC's experience. The linebackers this year are also going to be playmakers as opposed to the reactive, getting burned by fullbacks variety from last year.

[bluefan]

Expect to see a steady diet of McKnight and Gable. Didn't McKnight average like 10 yards a carry last year? That O-line is good - your LB's better be ready.

Pete's just gonna out-Tressel Tressel.

[1OSUNUT]

If I'm not mistaken the offensive line is an area of concern for USC. They have their best lineman out with a knee injury and he is questionable at best for the OSU game. They lost a few players off the offensive line and they are starting a new batch of linebackers. USC has more question marks this year then they have had in years past. Do I think OSU wins the game - YES, they have to. Do I think it's going to be a close game as well - Yes.

[Don Unverferth]

He may be a freshman but Carroll says this kid is the most talented guy he's ever had. If he can handle the pressure you guys may have more trouble than you can handle because he has a lot of weapons at his disposal.

Very odd. Just yesterday USC said the scrimmage in the Coliseum this Sat would go a long way in determining the starter and that Corp looked like he picked up right where he left off... good. Corp's leg must not be responding if this is true. IMO, unless Barkley shines like the sun against SJS, Corp will start in Columbus. All said, I certainly wouldn't sell Barkley short; he may emerge more talented than recent usc qbs.

[Silver Bullet]

He may be a freshman but Carroll says this kid is the most talented guy he's ever had. If he can handle the pressure you guys may have more trouble than you can handle because he has a lot of weapons at his disposal.

It's funny that when Tressel compliments Pryor he's full of shit, but when Surfer Pete says Barkley is the Second Coming OSU fans should be afraid.

[BBA1994]

Barkley is a freshman, yes. The other 10 on offense are returning starters. USC by at least 2 touchdowns. Book it!

[NCBLUE]

This game sets up for oSU as well as it can. True freshman QB, dinged up O-line, in Columbus at night.

If they cannot pull this one out it may be a long time before we see oSU win a big game on a big stage. This game will go a long way to helping oSU & the Big Ten's national reputation.

I do not see a blow out either way. I think it will be close. That will be a great weekend of college football action.

[amazinblue]

If I'm not mistaken the ....

Nut,

As usual - you are mistaken...

[Don Unverferth]

This game sets up for oSU as well as it can. True freshman QB, dinged up O-line, in Columbus at night.

If they cannot pull this one out it may be a long time before we see oSU win a big game on a big stage. This game will go a long way to helping oSU & the Big Ten's national reputation.

I do not see a blow out either way. I think it will be close. That will be a great weekend of college football action.

It will be interesting because I have yet to see too many teams where the QB isn't one of if not the single biggest difference between winning and losing. A ton of talent at every other position on the field can mean very little if your QB can't make plays.

If Sanchez wasn't starting for the Jets he would be starting this game so I am not about to believe that this kid doesn't represent a down grade for USC at the most important single position on the field.

On the other hand I am not the least bit impressed that the number of fans in the stands are going to make a bit of difference in the outcome of this game. I have little doubt Barkley is a stud and he could come out and play one heck of a game, particularly given the extreme depth of talent supporting him.

I wouldn't be too quick to concede anything just because Barkley is a freshman. I have observed that talent trumps experience more often then not so if OSU is going to win they will do so because of talent and experience and not experience alone.

People who predict the outcome of games come off looking foolish more often then not which is why I prefer to let the teams play the game and show me what they can or can not do. This will be one off the most interesting games of the season without a doubt and not just for the fans of these teams. This is a game for all college football fans.

[amazinblue]

It will be interesting because I have yet to see too many teams where the QB isn't one of if not the single biggest difference between winning and losing. A ton of talent at every other position on the field can mean very little if your QB can't make plays.

I have little doubt Barkley is a stud and he could come out and play one heck of a game, particularly given the extreme depth of talent supporting him.

I wouldn't be too quick to concede anything just because Barkley is a freshman. I have observed that talent trumps experience more often then not so if OSU is going to win they will do so because of talent and experience and not experience alone.

Don,

Nice post. I agree. It will be very interesting to see how Barkley adapts - how quickly he adjusts to the speed of the OSU D - and if he makes the right decisions.

I do believe there is one other factor playing in this game - and that's that Steve Sarkisian is no longer the OC. Will John Morton, the new OC - be as able in that position as Norm Chow and Sarkisian were before him. That's just another factor that can play into the game.

And, it will be interesting to watch - no doubt about it. If the Buckeyes win, I'm guessing some monkeys will fall off their back - and the credibility / big game question will settle down. However, if the outcome is similar to last season - it won't be very pleasant for a while...

[1OSUNUT]

This is the same Carroll that said Sanchez was not ready to leave USC yet - and that he should stay. All he did was shine in the NFL pre-season and was named the Jets starter. I would say based on what he was paid and how he has played - that he was ready.

[NorCal Buckeye]

Your D-line got ate up by their O-line last year. Whats going to change this year?

Another year of maturity and development for our guys, greater depth (able to platoon fresh bodies), lessons learned from last year as to what we did wrong, and what OSU (Beavers) did right.

I would scheme a bag full of stunts and blitzs. Hit them from different angles. Create confusion, missed blocking assignments. If you can't go through them, go around them. Make sure the new qb gets as many trips to his back as possible. Get in his head. Have him thinking personal safety rather than touchdowns. Bring the heat, and pour on the pressure. Don't wait for them to come to you (prevent defense), take it to them. An aggressive, attacking defense willing to gamble and take your chances on some plays.

That is what SHOULD change this year.:cool:

[BBA1994]

and you don't think they tried all that last year norcalturd? Different year, same results....'SC by at least 14.

[NorCal Buckeye]

and you don't think they tried all that last year norcalturd? Different year, same results....'SC by at least 14.

B beaten
B battered
A annihilated?

Until your guys narrow the gap between 42 to 7 you have nothing to talk about. Hush. :rolleyes:

[1OSUNUT]

Michigan = different year, same results.....

[BBA1994]

Michigan = different year, same results.....

Look out Nut! Norcalturd is gonna try and wrestle tressy's wanker from your mouth. He wants to get hisself a taste of that

[RADRACING]

This kid doesn't seem bright, looks like Carrol is getting desperate, or just in love with his big arm> Vegas just dropped the odds for the USC/OSU game in half, obviously the odds makers are not favorable with the decision.

[Wolvrin704]

It's funny that when Tressel compliments Pryor he's full of shit, but when Surfer Pete says Barkley is the Second Coming OSU fans should be afraid.

I dare you to find where I said JT was full of it about compliments on Pryor. Some of you guys like to ascribe comments by one poster or two, to all of us.

[Wolvrin704]

Another year of maturity and development for our guys, greater depth (able to platoon fresh bodies), lessons learned from last year as to what we did wrong, and what OSU (Beavers) did right.

I would scheme a bag full of stunts and blitzs. Hit them from different angles. Create confusion, missed blocking assignments. If you can't go through them, go around them. Make sure the new qb gets as many trips to his back as possible. Get in his head. Have him thinking personal safety rather than touchdowns. Bring the heat, and pour on the pressure. Don't wait for them to come to you (prevent defense), take it to them. An aggressive, attacking defense willing to gamble and take your chances on some plays.

That is what SHOULD change this year.:cool:

And the same can be said about USC. Another year of development for their already stud RB and WR's, plus their entire O-line that dominated your D is back, in its entirety. What if you can't get to him this year just like you couldn't get to Sanchez last year, who was also a new starting QB.

[1OSUNUT]

I'm pretty sure their top lineman is still out and expect to TRY to play for OSU.

[NorCal Buckeye]

And the same can be said about USC. Another year of development for their already stud RB and WR's, plus their entire O-line that dominated your D is back, in its entirety. What if you can't get to him this year just like you couldn't get to Sanchez last year, who was also a new starting QB.

Then it might be a long, painful night for the Buckeye nation:eek:

The game will just have to be played, and see how things go. I fully expect the coaching staff to have this team prepared and fired up. Also, last year we didn't have our key offensive player (Wells), and we shot ourselves in the foot with penalties and turnovers. Anything less than a 100% effort by both staff and team will be unacceptable. If I see some smart play calling, and the players hanging it all out then the chips can fall where they may.

A wild card in the mix here is our offense versus their depleted defense. I hope I'm not overly optimistic, but I believe Pryor and Company can become a touchdown machine. If Coach takes advantage of what they can do and let them do it. Loosen up the reins and let the horses run. Don't play field position with this kid. Every play should be a home run play with him. He is a phenom, take advantage of it.

Last, my take on Tressel. I think Craig Krenzel described his problem best in an interview last winter. Krenzel said if Tressel was a golfer he only uses his putters. He doesn't have, or believe in using, the drivers. He putts down the range. And it really frustrated him as a quarterback not to be able to go for the long ball more often.

Tressel has been in my doghouse since the Debacle In The Desert. I put the responsibility for that humiliation squarely on his shoulders. The players clearly thought all they had to do was show up, and he was clearly outcoached by Myer. Of course, losing Ginn after the kickoff didn't help either. Coach needs to redeem himself, and restore national respect for our program. Woody won 5 national titles in 26 years, and should have won about 4 more except for some monumental upsets (kudos to you, our friends up north). This is what old school OSU fans expect, a national title every year. Anything less than that is a busted season. The coaches since Woody have won 1 national title in 31 years (and even that one is disputed ala the Luckeyes). Patience is really wearing thin with Tressel, just as it did with Cooper and Bruce.:cool:

[1OSUNUT]

It looks like USC's top WR is OUT for the Buckeye game. He (Johnson) suffered a broken collarbone and is out for 6 weeks.

[NorCal Buckeye]

Too bad they won't be at full strength when we kick their asses. Now they will be able to say no starting qb, wr down, etc, etc, boo hoo.:rolleyes:

God, I hate SC. You people back home have no idea what it is like living out here in SC country. They are smug and arrogant beyond reproach. They have been my favorite hate team since the '68 Rose Bowl, when we handed them their cocky OJ asses then.

Woody knew how to handle their kind...pile drive 'em.:cool:

[Wolvrin704]

Too bad they won't be at full strength when we kick their asses. Now they will be able to say no starting qb, wr down, etc, etc, boo hoo.:rolleyes:

God, I hate SC. You people back home have no idea what it is like living out here in SC country. They are smug and arrogant beyond reproach. They have been my favorite hate team since the '68 Rose Bowl, when we handed them their cocky OJ asses then.

Woody knew how to handle their kind...pile drive 'em.:cool:

Now you know how it is being a UM fan in Buckeye country. :D

[NorCal Buckeye]

now you know how it is being a um fan in buckeye country. :d

i knewwwwwwww somebody was going to say that:D

[rickyleach]

THIS WILL MAKE THINGS EVEN BETTER GETTING BEAT BY A TRUE FRESHMEN QB AND MISSING HALF OF THEIR STARTERS TOO INJURYS , wooooodshed wooooodshed, i see the train a cummin and its going to roll all over peterhead tressel..

[1OSUNUT]

No excuses. We did not used Beanie as an excuse last year so I don't want to hear any from the USC fans. This was a must win game before - now it really is a must win.

[pryorthrowslikeagirl]

No excuses. We did not used Beanie as an excuse last year so I don't want to hear any from the USC fans. This was a must win game before - now it really is a must win.

ummm, yea you did.

[Wolvrin704]

ummm, yea you did.

Just like they use losing Ginn in the game against UF.

[bluefan]

ummm, yea you did.

Yeah, wtf is he talking about? He and every other douche nozzle of uos fandom absolutely used that as an excuse.

I think you uos assbags should worry a little more about the laughing stock you will continue to be when USC pantses your pathetic team with their team full of reserves in for their injured starters.

[NorCal Buckeye]

Adversity is nothing more than opportunity in disguise.

If SC spanks us with their reserves, in Columbus, then it would all but prove that change is needed with the coaching staff.

The top talent, all highly rated coming out of high school, is there. Top 5 recruiting classes, right?

If Tressel & Co. can't win with these kids against anyone other than the lay down teams in the Big Ten and the OOC cupcakes, then Tressel & Co. can't win. Which of course is unacceptable at OSU.

If out of the ashes of another spanking from SC we could get a fresh, fiery, aggressive, innovative coaching staff that believes the margin for victory should always be at least 30 points, that we just don't win, we whomp, stomp, and thoroughly thump anybody who dares to play against us, then I say take me to the woodshed and give me my whacks so we can move on to a brighter future than just winning the battle for field position and moral victories. Go Bucks!:cool:

[amazinblue]

Adversity is nothing more than opportunity in disguise.

If SC spanks us with their reserves, in Columbus, then it would all but prove that change is needed with the coaching staff.

The top talent, all highly rated coming out of high school, is there. Top 5 recruiting classes, right?

If Tressel & Co. can't win with these kids against anyone other than the lay down teams in the Big Ten and the OOC cupcakes, then Tressel & Co. can't win. Which of course is unacceptable at OSU.

If out of the ashes of another spanking from SC we could get a fresh, fiery, aggressive, innovative coaching staff that believes the margin for victory should always be at least 30 points, that we just don't win, we whomp, stomp, and thoroughly thump anybody who dares to play against us, then I say take me to the woodshed and give me my whacks so we can move on to a brighter future than just winning the battle for field position and moral victories. Go Bucks!:cool:

NorCal Buckeye,

I like the way you think...

[RADRACING]

I think all these USC hard practices are starting to get players injured, that makes 2 years in a row USC has lost a QB with knee injury.

[GoBlue21]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4436060

USC cornerback Shareece Wright has been declared academically ineligible and will be forced to sit out the upcoming season.

Wright was a projected starter for the No. 4 Trojans.

[1OSUNUT]

More good news.

[amazinblue]

More good news.

Nut,

I wonder if all this "good news" will make any difference on September 12th.

[bluefan]

Yeah, wtf is he talking about? He and every other douche nozzle of uos fandom absolutely used that as an excuse.

I think you uos assbags should worry a little more about the laughing stock you will continue to be when USC pantses your pathetic team with their team full of reserves in for their injured starters.

I'll re-post the above.



USC will absolutely roll uos. Unless they get into USC's 3 or 4 deep because of suspensions or injuries uos has no chance. None whatsoever.

[rickyleach]

norcalbuckeye , you are a good guy , its nice to see a buckeye fan be honest , great post , well im going to be honest since your the kind of fan who we can talk to, i feel ohio state will win the usc game ,im thinkin 27 -17 i think it is maybe the most important game of the season for our big10 , , just like i believe the western michigan game just might be the biggest and most important for michigan, sounds kind of crazy , but looking good and beating the mac team is what that young michigan team will need, if they were to get beat , man if rr thought the oven was hot this week just wait until next monday and the following weeks ahead, agin osu needs to win their big game ,not only for themselves but for our conference..

[NorCal Buckeye]

Right on, brother, right on! I just hope to fuck you're right!

Because if RR loses this weekend, and JT loses this weekend or next, all HELL is going to break loose on these coaches. They both need to get their shit together and teach their boys how to win some football games.

Go Bucks!:cool:

[NorCal Buckeye]

I would go with the vet (Mustain) any day, but what do I know?

Apparently nothing:confused:

Say again...I would have gone with the vet (Mustain):D