USC Football: Lane Kiffin Wise To Let Matt Barkley's Backups Play in Scrimmage

Southern Cal spring ball has been quite the event for folks who follow the Trojans. The Robert Woods injury was the first not so good news, although it did open the door for younger receivers to step up. That blessing in disguise would prove null and void as George Farmer, the guy expected to step up, has been down with a hamstring injury for the last two weeks.

Well, there is some good news for the Trojans faithful and it has nothing to do with injuries; Lane Kiffin is going to use his scrimmage this Saturday to focus on the developing his backup quarterbacks.

This is one of those moves, like Woods not pushing his return, that speaks to the young coaches understanding when it comes to the importance of depth. We thought Woods' absence would help the Trojans develop some depth at receiver position, but alas, it has not. Quarterback is a different story, as Kiffin has two redshirt freshman vying for the right to back up Matt Barkley.

Through spring ball, Heisman front-runner and everybody's All-American Matt Barkley has been getting the reps with the first team offense. On Saturday that will change, as Lane Kiffin has elected to limit Barkley's action in exchange for having both Cody Kessler and Max Wittek test their skills by seeing major action. A smart move by Kiffin as neither kid has thrown a pass in a game and playing against the Trojans No. 1 defense at scrimmage tempo is the closest thing they will see until the fall.

Factor in that the pair will be competing against the likes of USC's first team defense, and this will be one of the best ways to test if they are ready to compete at the highest level.

Getting your backups ready is critical in spring. Although Barkley threw every pass for the Trojans in 2011, in 2010 Mitch Mustain was pressed into action as Barkley missed the Notre Dame contest due to injury. A situation like that is why Kiffin is making the smart move to figure out just how ready his two freshman quarterbacks are. 

Both Kessler and Wittek were highly touted coming out of high school. Both were 4-star recruits. Both were January early enrollees for the Trojans. Both fit the pro-style mold that Kiffin wanted for his offense. Both redshirted for the 2011 season. Wittek is taller but Kessler is bigger. Both have the physical tools to be successful.

The separation between the two will come from their ability to perform. Commanding the huddle, making the smart decision with the football, making the proper pre-snap reads and delivering the football with accuracy to their targets.

This is a great preview for the Trojans, because once 2012 is done either Wittek or Kessler will get the opportunity to be the starting quarterback in 2013. Kiffin is using this scrimmage not only as a way to help figure out who is ready to be the No. 2, but he's also getting a glimpse into the future of the program. 

However, there is one drawback for the Trojans entering Saturday. The pass catchers for the Trojans have been absolutely ravaged by injuries. We know about Woods and Farmer, but tight end Randall Telfer is hurt as well. Add in that Marqise Lee will not be at the scrimmage due to a track obligation, and who Kessler and Wittek are tossing the ball to will be a hodge podge of backups hoping to impress coaches as much as the freshmen quarterbacks.