Well Aaron Corp definitely got bitten, but it wasn't Matt's bark that rattled the red-shirt sophomore - it was Pete Carroll's vicious bite.

Pete Carroll said Corp will have a chance to keep his starting job after he came down with the leg injury. Carroll said he'll throw Corp back in the mix with the first group and give him a chance to hang on to the starting position he earned during spring camp. So less than two weeks later, Corp comes back, only sees snaps with the 2nd team, and two days later finds out the job is officially Matt Barkley's. Was this a surprise? No.

During Corp's absence, the spirit of competition, and every spot being available to whoever plays the best didn't exist. At least not for the quarterback position. Mustain was placed on the back burner, and Pete Carroll gave Barkley every first team snaps. Pete's reason was that Corp and Barkley seperated themselves far enough during the spring that Mustain was out of consideration. Hmm.

During the Spring and Fall camps, just about every sentence that contained the word 'interception' also had Matt Barkley's name attached to it. Aaron Corp played it cool only throwing one interception in spring football that was caused by a tip at the line of scrimmage. What happened to Pete not being able to stand turnovers and preaching the importance of protecting the ball. Should we be surprised that he picked Barkley and his interceptions over Corp's ability to manage the offense and protect the ball? No.

Don't forget the fact that Joe Mcknight continues to get a large share of carries even though he is prone and well known for fumbling the ball. So while CJ Gable gets benched immediately for a fumble, Joe Mcknight continues to get more than his share of playtime despite his constant miscues. So what's the deal Pete?

Why does Pete Carroll seem to keep a blind eye to these turnovers? Why do players like Joe Mcknight and Matt Barkley get excused for turnovers that Pete preaches against? Why the special treatment?

I guess special treatment is given to those with special talent or should we say potential? Joe Mcknight came in with the hype of being the next Reggie Bush. Pete Carroll has given him every chance since his freshman year to let that potential come in to fruition. While he has shown flashes, he clearly hasn't lived up to it. He has fumbled and danced around the backfield for loss of yards. Clearly, those flashes were good enough to blind Carroll from the negative runs and fumbles.

Now the same flash and excitement is prevented Carroll from seeing Barkley's interceptions. While Matt Barkley definitely has the potential to be great, and has the physical tools to do well, he simply isn't ready to lead the offense. Even the vets like Taylor Mays has voiced this saying that while Barkley has shown leadership and an unshakable confidence, it still takes a couple years to learn the intricacies of the offense.

Pete says he feels the need to protect Corp like a father would. Would a father bench his own son and prevent him from starring in a program like USC's? Why not give Corp the time you had said you would to show the injury has healed and he is the same guy taht earned the starting spot before.

USC just had a scrimmage where Corp completed 5 of 7 passes for 89 yards and also rushed for 10 yards on his first running attempt. (Barkley threw his usual interception.) Pete Carroll had cited Corp's lack of mobility being a factor in his decision. So when asked after the scrimmage if Corp's display of mobility would change his mind on who's starting, Pete just said, "No. No. No."

Did Corp ever really have a chance to start? He was named the started after spring, but with Pete saying there's still going to be a competition once fall comes. He didn't give Sanchez, Leinart, or Booty that type of fine print. What happened to giving a quarterback a chance to lead during the summer and the confidence to come in to the spring? Did Pete Carroll view Corp's injury as a misfortune or a great opportunity and excuse to start the freshman?

Pete Carroll says he is happy to to be at USC but still continues to let the rumors of him leaving for the NFL linger during the summer without doing anything till the very end to diffuse the speculation. Is this a case of someone enjoying the attention? Is this bold move to start Barkley coming from the same need of attention? Like him saying, "It's all me. It doesn't matter who I start, we will win because of me."

Pete Carroll is a great personality and a great coach. He is not perfect. The decision to start Matt Barkley will probably look like a stroke of genius in the end. While he has thrown many interceptions this past spring and fall, I don't see him throwing the same amount as the season progresses. He is an amazing talent, and Pete Carroll will recieve praise for recognizing it.

The decision to start the freshman over Aaron Corp reminds me of a past trip. We were out of money and couldn't afford the $12 fare to get home. Desperate we asked 2 strangers for help. They both lived nearby and were willing to go to their house and pick up their money. One told us he had exactly $12 to give us. The other told us he should have $10 to $20 he can give. We politely said thanks to the guy who could have potentially given us $20 and took the sure thing and got the $12 from the other guy.

With USC's stable of running backs and what's looking to be another solid defense, there is no need for a super star Quarterback. You just need a guy to get you to your destination, a National Championship. Aaron Corp has showed he has the ability to manage the offense, and protect the ball. Matt Barkley has shown he has the potential to do the same and more. Corp is the $12 that will get USC there, but Pete went with the other guy. So it looks like USC will either get to where they want or will fall short that they may not even qualify for the BCS ride. Read the full story