Andrew Luck vs. Matt Barkley: Grading the 2 QBs After Last Night's Epic Game

Last night's crazy game between Stanford and USC featured two of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley went back and fourth until the game was finally decided in Stanford's favor in triple overtime. 

While the game was extremely entertaining, the two quarterbacks put on a terrific show and gave us one of the best quarterback matchups of the year. 

Here is a look at how the two signal callers stack up against each other and who ultimatley has the edge. 

Arm Strength

Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley both of great arms and can make all the throws on the field, the difference truly comes down to the zip that Luck is able to put on his passes and his ability to make throws across his body and to the opposite sideline.

When breaking down these two quarterbacks, the differences are so small but do exist. The throw that truly separates the two is the out-route to the opposite side of the field. While both can make the throw, if you had the game on the line, you would want Luck making that pass. 

Edge: Luck

Intelligence

Both of these two quarterbacks are extremely smart and have a firm grasp on the task at hand. When judging a quarterback's intelligence, you are looking to see if the quarterback fully understands the situation he is in and makes the right call.

When describing Andrew Luck, intelligence is a word that is commonly used to describe him. Luck seems to always know the situation that he is in and the best play to make. 

On the other hand, Barkley is no dummy and also has done a great job with the situations he has been placed in, especially considering the sanctions that USC is still under.

While both have demonstrated smarts at their position, Luck is so much more consistent that it is hard to not give him the edge in this situation.

Edge: Luck

Touch

Another factor that quarterbacks are judged on is the touch that they are able to put on their passes. When considering this factor, both quarterbacks are masters of this art form.

During yesterday's game, Andrew Luck was able to drop a few passes in to his receivers and tight ends and put them in just the right spot so that only his receiver could make a play on the ball.

Luck was not alone in this as Matt Barkley did the same and was even able to drop a perfect pass into Robert Woods during the overtime session. Barkley recognized the one-on-one coverage and led Woods to the back of the end zone.

Both quarterbacks bring a lot to the table in this part of their passing game but ultimately this is where Barkley makes up some ground on Luck.

Edge: Barkley

Scrambling Ability

This is a category that Andrew Luck almost wins be default. During his career at Stanford, Luck has become known for some of his outstanding scrambles out of the pocket and has put up some highlight reel material over the past two years.

On the other hand, Matt Barkley is truly a pocket passer and is not going to make defenses pay with his legs. While he does have the ability to move around in the pocket, Barkley is most comfortable in stepping up and making a throw rather than taking off.

Edge: Luck

Reading the Defense

Matt Barkley has been starting for USC since arriving on campus. He has had a ton of time and in-game experience to see almost every defensive look that a team can throw against him. Barkley does a great job of recognizing converge and knowing where he can get one on one coverage.

Andrew Luck on the other hand, is rapidly approaching Payton Manning status. There have been rumors going around that Luck makes a lot of the offensive play calls and whether it is true or not, we have seen Luck identify defenses over and over and pick them apart. 

While both quarterbacks have shown the ability to dissect defense, it is clear that Luck has a greater understanding and grasp of what he is seeing and going up against.

Edge: Luck

Intangibles

When you throw away the passing yards and the measurables that they will be judged on at the combine, you are left with the intangibles that make these two quarterbacks great.

For Andrew Luck, his leadership is almost unmatched. Not only does Luck lead the offense, he is vocal with his defense and special teams and helps support this program in all areas. His leadership and desire to help this school win drew him back to school and made the choice to pass on the NFL an easy one.

On the other hand, you have to love the mental toughness of Matt Barkley. Barkley was a highly recruited quarterback that could have had his pick of where he wanted to go to play football. With the sanctions that have come down on the USC program, Barkley has had opportunities to step out on his team but has stuck it out and continues to lead the Trojans. 

Edge: Barkley

Overall

Overall, there is a reason that Andrew Luck was expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft. Luck has everything you could look for in a franchise quarterback and now he has another year under his belt.

Matt Barkley is also a complete package and will be one of the top quarterbacks off the board in the NFL draft. Unfortunately for Barkley, he is being compared to one of the best college quarterbacks in a long time. 

While you would not turn down having either quarterback as your starter on Saturday and eventually Sunday, if you had your choice of who you wanted leading your offense, the answer is Luck.