re: Why has Matt Barkley gone 0-4 against Stanford?

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Not really. He has never proven to be a big game guy and he shits the bed everytime he faces a team that gets pressure on him.

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Ohio State? THE DRIVE - his freshman year?

Last year was very close against Luck and frankly, USC lost on that pass breakup on Luck's final drive which resulted in a bogus PF penalty for helmet to helmet to extend Luck's drive...and then USC fumbled in the endzone in OT.

This year...injury. 3-year starter center stood on the sidelines while the backup was blown-up on every single play driving the center of the line back into Barkley - it was pathetic. One play the NG sacked Barkley at the goalline by just jumping over the center. The guy couldn't hike the ball and block at the same time...he was useless...and that game became exhibit A on how important the center position is. The whole offense gets messed and you can't do what you want to do from the snap.

While I do think Barkley is overrated and I've always maintained that he will be nothing at the next level...this game wasn't simply a case - "he couldn't handle the pressure." This wasn't pressure from the edges...this was the center being driven back into him after every damn snap. There was no pocket.

Frankly Kiffin and Co. should have shotgunned and rolled Barkley out like they used to.

Terrible play calling when you know the foundation of your offense is getting blown up by the noseguard.