USC Spring Game: Matt Barkley Won't Let so-so Performance Derail 2012 Season

This wasn't what Trojans fans had in mind when Matt Barkley announced his return to the program this past winter. Fear not, this was just a spring practice and Barkley will still be the nation's top QB in 2012.

New players and a new year often require a QB to shake off the rust. It appears that he will have to do just that.

Barkley completed 23 of his 39 passes for 212 yards, a TD and a pick.

These numbers are in no way horrible, but they aren't on par with what I expect to be commonplace for Barkley this season.

Last year, Barkley threw for 3,528 yards, with 39 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. I fully expect him to be even better in this his senior season. Barkley became everyone's favorite Trojan when he shocked the world by returning for his senior season.

Critics will be waiting for Barkley to slip up so they can liken him to another former Trojans QB who made a decision to return to school.

Matt Leinart could have been one of the top three players selected in the 2005 NFL draft. Instead, he came back to USC and slipped to 10th in 2006.

That won't be Barkley.

The country's thirst for college football may cause some to overreact to this performance, but don't be one of those people.

It is possible that his draft stock could fall after a poor season, but I'm not ready to start worrying. 

He is a tireless worker—something Leinart was not. Also, Barkley's supporting cast is as strong as ever—something he and Leinart definitely had in common.

Barkley's favorite target from last season was in fine form. Marqise Lee had a TD catch on a one-yard throw for Barkley's only TD toss.

The Trojans and Barkley will be fine. Let's wait for a clunker against Oregon to panic.