re: Is Matt Barkley better than JJ

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And what exactly has he (Barkley) done in college to support this? Your main argument is how great he was in high school, and that doesn't mean shite unless he can do it at the college level. What makes it even worse is that he's playing in the worst BCS conference and can't even come up with numbers better than JJ's. He's done absolutely nothing to merit a spot on the early Heisman watch list. I'm not saying that he can't work his way on it by next year or his junior year, but as of now he's nowhere close to being on it.

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Early watch lists are based on hype and projections for the next year (like preseason rankings and we all know how accurate they are). I think most people expect USC to rebound next year and for Barkley to lead the way, thus it's not surprising some writers may "go out on a limb" and give Barkley some preseason "hype." Based on his performance this year (or perhaps USC overall?) you see it differently and that's your right. But if you can't see that Barkley has all world talent, I can't turn that light on for you.

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High school doesn't matter.

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Barkley entered college with lots of accolades and expectations, and that puts his name on the sports writers' radar before he ever took a college snap. So, yes, how he did in high school very much factors in as part of the "hype." (and this wasn't my main argument but merely one of several points).

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Did you see USC's quarterbacks this year? They were fricking TERRIBLE. He got the spot by default.

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Barkley beat out Mitch Mustain as a true freshman, in spite of Mustain being in the program two years longer (admittedly, academics may have factored into this). And in case you've forgotten, Mustain had an 8-0 record as a freshman starter in the SEC. So I don't think all the QBs at USC are "terrible," nor that Barkley got the spot by default.

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Was it a grades issue?

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I was very surprised too as Mustain obviously has some talent (Mustain was also a "player of the year" coming out of high school). I read somewhere (sorry, no link, and perhaps just speculation by someone) that Mustain was having trouble staying academically eligible. If that was the case, it could very well explain why Carroll went with Barkley, not wanting to take a chance on losing his starter to grades.

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socal blondie, surferdude image sells peanuts, popcorn and crackerjacks.

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exactly