It’s too soon to crown Barkley


As a USC fan, it was alarming. When freshman quarterback Matt Barkley approached the huddle before the Trojans went for the two-point conversion late Saturday night, ESPN announcer Brent Musburger added a little bit of bravado to the already tense situation. “Right before your eyes, you’re watching a freshman grow up tonight, before a record-setting […]

USC’s schedule pays off for now


No matter how hard Pete Carroll tries to turn the focus forward to the upcoming game against Washington, Saturday’s classic against Ohio State might be the only thing USC fans talk about for some time. The tilt between top-10 teams was a rarity on a number of levels. Earlier in the fall, Carroll mused on […]

Barkley comes of age before our eyes


Matt Barkley has officially relinquished the title of freshman. With the game on the line in just his second collegiate game, in front of perhaps the loudest crowd he will ever face, Barkley’s play was not that of a teenager. His numbers weren’t spectacular. His missed opportunities were plenty. But for the defining drive that […]