USC vs. Washington: Matt Barkley Will Help Trojans Get Revenge Against Huskies

Matt Barkley and his teammates haven't forgotten about what happened in 2009, when the University of Washington upset the No. 3 Trojans in Seattle, ending USC's title hopes.

Today, Barkley, regardless of whether he admits it publicly, will be out for revenge, as the Trojans face the Huskies on the road for the first time since Washington's 16-13 win in September of 2009. 

Now ranked No. 11, the Trojans are hoping to avoid falling to the same Huskies team that upset the only squad that've beaten USC this season in Stanford.

But Barkley won't let that happen.

In his senior season with the Trojans, despite the loss to Stanford, Barkley has developed an innate chemistry with receivers Marqise Lee and Robert Woods, and has essentially cemented his status as the No. 1 quarterback prospect heading into the 2013 NFL Draft. 

Coupled with the strong play of Penn State transfer Silas Redd, Barkley and the Trojans are dangerous both on the ground and in the air, and they seem to have found their identity as a team at the right time. 

Last week, despite falling behind Utah early on, Barkley lead the Trojans on a 28-point run, throwing for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns in the process. 

It's games like last week's that have made Barkley one of the most heavily hyped quarterback prospects in recent memory, and it's also why it's never smart to bet against the Trojans when Barkley gets into a rhythm. 

It hasn't been the dream senior year that Barkley had hoped for when he decided to return to USC instead of declaring for the 2012 NFL Draft, but if the Trojans can keep gaining momentum with each week, they'll finish the season in the Top 10.