USC Football: 4 Reasons Matt Barkley Will Have the Trojans on Top in 2012

Aside from his experience and his return for his senior year we forget just how talented this kid is.

He broke the record in the Pac-12 for touchdowns in a season.  He set a school record for completion percentage.  He lead a forgotten Trojan team through an extremely impressive season for a team still suffering from turmoil of the past.

His arm is amazing and his ability to use his legs is underrated because of the talented offensive line that protects him.

Many people were ready to deem him the greatest Trojan quarterback of all time if he did decide to leave, but with his return he is just presented with the opportunity to break even more records and solidify his spot in USC history.

He has the ability and tool set to have an even better season than Andrew Luck did last year and if he continues to build on his previous season he's going to be one scary dude out there on the field.

A defensive coordinator's worst nightmare. 

Experience

Barkley is a senior. He has been the starting quarterback for USC since he was a freshman. He has broken countless records previously held by Trojan greats like Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer.  At the end of his collegiate career he could go down as the best quarterback to ever play for the University of California.

I'd say he's pretty solid as far as experience goes.

Just this past season he was put in many situations other quarterbacks have never been in.  He participated in a triple-overtime shootout with Andrew Luck.  He went to Eugene and knocked off the Ducks.  He put up 50 points on their cross time rivals.  

Of course he had some help, but it is his experience that gives his players the comfort out there on the field.  Knowing you're lining up alongside one of the smartest and most talented quarterbacks in college football game is a good feeling.

His experience will not only benefit him and his team this season, but also as he progresses towards his career in the NFL.

Barkley won't face anything new this season.  He will just keep improving, learning and adapting as the season moves forward.

Won't Let His Return Be a Failure

Barkley won't let his stock drop.  You may say he doesn't have a choice, but if he puts in the hard work, like many assume he will, he will continue to excel at the quarterback position.

He is the new Andrew Luck.  L

Luck faced all the questions about his senior season being a failure and his stock dropping, just like Barkley will.  We see how it worked out for Luck who is projected to be the number one pick in the upcoming NFL draft.

Luck did not make it to the national championship.  He didn't even win the Pac-12.  He simply continued to be the consistently accurate and smart quarterback people already knew he was as he polished his game and prepared himself for the next level.

The Trojans do have national championship aspirations, but I assure you that if they don't get there, but Barkley plays well throughout the season, he will be a top 3 pick this time next year.

Barkley knows all eyes will be on him, but he knows exactly what he has to do to ensure a successful future. 

Skill Set

Aside from his experience and his return for his senior year we forget just how talented this kid is.

He broke the record in the Pac-12 for touchdowns in a season.  He set a school record for completion percentage.  He lead a forgotten Trojan team through an extremely impressive season for a team still suffering from turmoil of the past.

His arm is amazing and his ability to use his legs is underrated because of the talented offensive line that protects him.

Many people were ready to deem him the greatest Trojan quarterback of all time if he did decide to leave, but with his return he is just presented with the opportunity to break even more records and solidify his spot in USC history.

He has the ability and tool set to have an even better season than Andrew Luck did last year and if he continues to build on his previous season he's going to be one scary dude out there on the field.

A defensive coordinator's worst nightmare. 

Fluidity with His Receiving Core

Barkley has now played two seasons with his favorite target Robert Woods and one with the emerging superstar Marquise Lee.

Extremely early in the season, before Lee really got going, Barkley and Woods connected for 17 receptions in one game.  That's almost unheard of.

As the season progressed Barkley got more and more comfortable with his impressive receiving core hitting his teammates in perfect stride on the way to the end zone.

The timing that he has developed with the players is impeccable, yet still has room for improvement.

With an impressive recruiting class coming in, Barkley will have some more speedy targets looking for the ball.  But his fluidity with both Woods and Lee, and even his tight ends Randall Telfer and Xavier Grimble is unmatched.

They do a great job of getting open, and Barkley does a great job of getting them the ball.