USC Trojan Football: Wittek vs. Kessler Promises To Be an Ongoing Saga

One comes from a traditional football power in Orange County, California.

The other hails from from a very good football program in California's sleepy, little, Bakersfield.

One just starred in a huge prep all-star game and won game MVP honors on national television.

The other will play in a huge all-star game of his own this Saturday.

Both are highly rated quarterbacks, ranked in the top 15 in the country.

And both will be wearing the cardinal and gold colors of the USC Trojans as they embark on the college careers.

For Max Wittek, the aforementioned signal caller from Orange County, specifically powerhouse Mater Dei high school, his acceptance of the Trojan scholarship offer signaled a continuance of former Monarch quarterbacks, the latest being Matt Leinart and Matt Barkley.

Cody Kessler, a 6'2", 225 lb. gunslinger from Centennial high school in Bakersfield, CA., hopes to start his own tradition of successful Trojan quarterbacks from the Inland Empire area.

And for at least the next three years, Max Wittek and Cody Kessler will be competing for the same job.

Why would two highly accomplished quarterbacks, in certainly the most glamorous position in football, decide to compete for the same duties?

After all, only one can start, as they say, there is "only one ball."

Of course, according to the players, that is the operative word.

Compete.

Both players have gone on record as saying that the competition each will face from the other will only make each player better.

For that attitude, they should both be commended.

But what happens after a choice has been made and one of these talented players has to sit on the bench?

On the list of reasons for why players transfer, playing time ranks near or at the top.

There is another possibility, though it's remote.

Is it possible that Trojan head coach, Lane Kiffin, who has already mentioned the possibility of using a modified spread offense in the future, could be thinking about a platoon system for his quarterbacks?

From a style standpoint, it could make sense.

Max Wittek is a prototypical dropback passer, cut in the mold of a long line of Trojan quarterbacks who have thrived in in USC's pro-style offense.

Kessler can and does operate in that same pro-style set but he also has the wheels, and the strength, to throw on the run or even operate straight running plays out of an option formation.

However, it should be noted that Kiffin has never run a rotation from the quarterback position and given the critical nature of the position, he is not likely to start now.

So instead of a two-headed quarterback from the men of Troy, instead look for some high spirited competition in the upcoming years.

Wittek has already fired the first salvo by performing well enough to be named the MVP at the Under Armour all-star game.

In that game, Wittek displayed excellent mechanics, arm strength and leadership ability.

This Saturday, Kessler will get a chance to respond in the U.S. Army game.

You know that Cody Kessler had to be watching Wittek's performance at the Under Armour game and, in his mind, felt that the first gauntlet had been laid down by his new Trojan teammate.

It remains to be seen how Kessler responds in his own all-star game, but one thing is sure.

This is only the beginning of what promises to be some interesting competition for the position for next few years.

If competition is what Kessler and Wittek are after, they certainly are going to get it.

What happens after that is anyone's guess.