Trojans opener: And a child shall lead them - Inland Empire Press-Enterprise
The Plan was that quarterback Mark Sanchez would come back for his senior year, lead USC on another national championship crusade, then turn the offensive reins over to the golden boy waiting in the wings, Matt Barkley...

...Carroll said he and his staff saw it just five days into spring drills...

...In fact, he'd better be different. USC has piled a lot of responsibility on his young shoulders. But as you'd expect, Barkley is just as at ease, quick to smile and confident as advertised...

Also, USC's Matt Barkley will feel the heat - LA Times
History isn't on side of USC or its freshman QB - LA Times
Challenge is mostly mental for Barkley in USC debut - OC Register
Pac-10 Q&A: Matt Barkley - ESPN

McKnight Proves He's No Ordinary Joe - NewOrleans.com [08/05/09]
Joe McKnight flashed his exceptional athletic skills at an early age, splitting time between football, basketball and track...

...Joe played beyond his years and seemed to be the center of attention whenever and wherever he engaged in an athletic event...

...There will be a new QB under center. Currently, sophomore Aaron Corp is scheduled to be the starter, but many expect 2008 National Prep Player of the Year, Matt Barkley, to take over before long. Joe likes them both.

"Corp has the ability to run and stretch the defense, using his feet," explained McKnight. "Barkley can be special. He's smart, has a good arm, and is a bit of a gunslinger. I like his gambling. He puts the ball in tight places. He's the next Heisman winner down the road."...

Controversial billboard blasts Weis - WSBT-TV
A controversial billboard-sized jab at Notre Dame head football coach Charlie Weis has drivers doing a double-take in the shadow of the Golden Dome.

Coach Weis is trying to make light of the situation; but for the Irish faithful, the message on the billboard is nothing short of blasphemy.

The billboard, which went up earlier this week, is located essentially right above the Linebacker Inn near campus at the intersection of Edison Road and State Road 23...

Chris Dufresne's preseason top 25: No. 4 USC LA Times
...USC has so much returning talent on offense that the quarterback in most games is not going to matter...the Trojans are still going to win 10, 11 or 12 games. Rankman considers USC one of four teams that can win this year's championship at the Rose Bowl -- the others to be unveiled later this week.

USC has won two national titles and is 88-15 in eight seasons under Coach Pete Carroll. Three or four of those loses, however, may have directly cost USC three or four more national titles...

Also, Sporting News Top 100: No. 4 USC - The Sporting News
Expectations at USC remain the same - Inland Empire Press-Enterprise

USC Is Ready to Protect and Defend - Washington Post
It's not that Jeff Byers wasn't keenly interested in who was going to start at quarterback this fall for Southern California. But the senior offensive lineman didn't obsess over the battle between redshirt sophomore Aaron Corp and freshman Matt Barkley, unlike much of the college football world.

"It's why Coach [Pete] Carroll is so successful -- he makes decisions like this," Byers said in a telephone interview. "I trust whoever Coach Carroll picks."

Such confidence is completely understandable. Since Byers enrolled at USC in the fall of 2004, the Trojans have trotted out Matt Leinart, John David Booty and Mark Sanchez as their starting quarterbacks. Either Corp or Barkley was going to take over one of the most high-profile positions in college football...

Also, Decision on USC starting QB still stings Corp - LA Daily News
USC's big gamble - Philly Daily News
Injury to WR Johnson is 'just a crusher' - AP via ESPN