While Aaron Corp (No. 15) was named starting quarterback after spring ball,
Freshman Matt Barkley's impressive performance during training camp means
he'll start the Trojans' first game this season. (photo by Kevin Patra)

Writing sports commentary is generally like getting into an argument
with a female: no matter what you say you are going to be wrong.  

So
when you are right -- once in a blue moon -- you have to shout it from the
mountaintops.  After Thursday's announcement that USC freshman Matt Barkley will be the Trojans' starting quarterback,
I did a few backflips and got a respectable website to republish the
following prediction I made last week on a much less reputable publication (thesportsunion.com):

USC quarterback Aaron Corp is expected to return to practice next week after suffering an injury to his left knee.

Folks around Southern California will most likely equate Corps' injury to the knee injury that kept Mark Sanchez out briefly last
season. Corp is expected to take back his starting spot and lead the
Trojans on Sept. 5 when it takes on powerhouse San Jose State.

Yet, there are stark differences between this season and last: Last
season Sanchez was undoubtedly the best quarterback on the team. Not
only was he the most prepared, he was the most physically talented of
the USC signal callers. This year there is this guy, Matt Barkley,
waiting to lead the Trojan offense.

I've already said I think Barkley is by far the most talented quarterback on the roster.
His arm strength and athleticism outdistance both Corp and Mitch "the
next Matt Cassel" Mustain --and yes I realize Mustain played eight college
games, but this ain't ArKansas anymore Toto, and the poor sap can only hope for a bout of swine flu to take out the other two.

As a Michigan fan -- Yes, Trojans it's true -- this scenario reminds me
of an eerily similar situation in 2004 when former De La Salle standout
and Michigan's supposed starting quarterback Matt Gutierrez hurt his
shoulder. Initial reports were that it was a minor setback, but the
injury persisted and Gutierrez lost his job to freshman Chad Henne
before eventually transferring to Idaho State.

I'm always one for ridiculous conspiracy theories -- unless it has to
do with the President not being born in America -- and still contend that
the extent of Gutierrez's injury was enhanced so Henne could get into the starting lineup. Freshman starting quarterbacks didn't start at 
Michigan. You had to bide your time and at least split snaps with
future Superbowl MVPs -- a la Tom Brady-Drew Henson.

But I distinctly remember a news report about Henne's father
saying -- and I'm paraphrasing here -- 'He didn't go there to sit the
bench.' Now I understand that no big recruit thinks he is going to
sit the bench, but when you are the better player at a program where younger means wait,
there has to be a reason for you to play. Hence, a bugaboo injury that
thrusts a talented freshman over the tradition bar and into the
starting huddle.

It would not surprise me if Corp tries to come back and goes down
again for another three weeks leaving Barkley to try his hand during
that San Jose State game.  (Remember last season the Trojans started
out on the road in what before the season looked like a could-be-dicey
game at Virginia, not a powder puff team.)

After a Joe Flacco-type performance in game one, the question would
be whether Barkley should start at Ohio State or whether he should
split time with the "more experienced" Corp.  But, as happened with
Henne, once the freshman gets a few games under his belt it would be
nearly impossible to unseat him. He's just that good.

I don't hate Corp. I don't even wish this injury to derail his
career. But in a Trojan-eat-Trojan world the best players should
play. In my untrained, uneducated, couldn't wash Pete Carroll's jock
strap if I were bathing in a pool of Tide detergent and biased opinion, Barkley is the best quarterback on USC's roster.

Carroll, like Lloyd Carr -- 106,201 people just puked at that
comparison -- would never say he wants to start a freshman. He has to
pander to future recruits to convince them that if they sit the bench a
year or two they will have a chance -- right Cassell? He also wants to
keep as much pressure off Barkley as possible.

But starting the freshman quarterback is the best move for the USC program both now and in the future.

There is no question that had Sanchez returned for his senior season
the Trojans would be the favorite to meet Florida in the BCS
championship. He would have graduated and Barkley, not Corp, would
have taken over. There would have been no excuse not to. Barkley
would have had his season holding the clipboard, know the offense and
still have the superior physical gifts.

This season the Trojans would be better off to let the young mustang
strut his stuff on the field. All the quarterbacks are learning a
"new" offense under Jeremy Bates/Johnnie Morton (he will always be
Johnnie) so besides the "been around the block a few more times factor"
Corp isn't that much ahead of the game. Also, with the stable of
running backs USC has, it would do well to run the freaking ball more
this year anyway. Tailoring a run-heavy plan for a freshman
quarterback -- even if it's just a poor excuse for what it should be
doing anyway -- allows the Trojans to play to their strength and play
their most talented quarterback.

Given his skill is anyone supposed to believe Barkley will sit the bench again next year?

There are a few things in life you don't do: You don't bury talent
on the bench. You don't check trip-queens twice. And you don't
question Bruce Dickinson.