What the Emerald Bowl Means For the Future Of USC Football

Damian Williams showed up, the Trojan song girls' ponchos came off, Stanley Havili broke out, Matt Barkley woke up and the USC football program is officially back on the map.

“One more year, One more year!” That was the chant of the Trojan faithful as wide receiver Damian Williams received his Emerald Bowl Offensive Player of the Game award.

All-Pac-10 and team MVP, Williams gave Southern California fans a glimmer of hope that he might be back for his senior season.

“Last year? What are you talking about? Who said it’s my last year… Right now, I’m still a Trojan until I say otherwise,” Williams said.

Lets hope Williams does come back because if he doesn’t, the SC offense is going to experience a fair share of growing pains next season.

The USC backfield is in desperate need of a face-lift. The allegations facing Joe McKnight combined with Stafon Johnson's tragic mid-season injury have given the Trojans little to be thankful for during the holiday season.

Enter Stanley Havili. The junior fullback who had been under utilized throughout the course of the season; that is, until USC's 24-13 victory over Boston College.Havili put on a career performance in the Emerald Bowl, including a 56-yard dump-off turned highlight real touchdown.

Havili looked more like Reggie Bush than a bruising back, breaking tackles and dancing around Boston College defenders for two touchdowns on the night. Hopefully Pete Carroll will continue to give Havili the shot he deserves on offense.

True freshman, Matt Barkley continues to show confidence regardless of questionable throws and numerous bad decisions.

“It didn’t matter that I threw a pick. You have to just brush those off and move forward,” Barkley said of his mistake.

The truth is, it does matter that Barkley threw two bad interceptions. It may not have mattered against Boston College in the Emerald Bowl but if the Trojans wish to contend for the national title in the near future, Barkley is going to have to limit the mistakes.

That being said, the very next possession after his 2nd interception of the Emerald Bowl, Barkley threw a strike to junior wide receiver Ronald Johnson for a twenty-yard gain. Ro-Jo will be the future of the SC receiving corps if Damian Williams does in fact make his move to the NFL.

Although it wouldn’t be ideal, Johnson has shown moments of brilliance this season and is a sure-handed, good route runner that simply finds a way to get open. On third-downs Barkley often finds Johnson for short, but affective gains.

When push comes to shove, the future of the USC football program comes down to quarterback Matt Barkley and his success throwing the ball. The question is, can Matt Barkley become the elite quarterback he was once destined to be?

Barkley’s performance in the Emerald Bowl fits perfectly into his season’s mold: 24-37, 350 yds., 2 TD’s and 2 INT’s. A couple of sensational strikes, too many incompletions, and a couple of poor decisions.

“I have high expectations for next year. I’m just excited to develop in the off-season and grow with the receivers as a unit," Barkley said after the game.

There is no question that the talent is there. The kid is an athlete and exudes the type of confidence that only a USC quarterback can. But will he grow into an All-American? Only time will tell.

Fight on, Trojans!