Barkley's back Up or Ups?

[ND_Dubb]

So I've been wondering and many of you I'm sure have been wondering. I'm WIDE AWAKE after a night like tonight. Lets do some research. It appears Barkley is out with an seperated shoulder on his throwing arm. Cody Kessler and Max Wittek both redshirt freshman, both 4 star prospects, both named heir apparent to Barkley's job. When asked in the beginning of the year who the back up was Kiffin responded "Kessler or Wittek" thank Kiffin's stellar decision making. Since either or has been named starter as of yet ill put out as much stats as I can find on both of them.

Cody Kessler- Not many Stats but 2 att/ 2 comp 9 yards.
Trojan Spring game--- 3/6 68 yards 1 TD, had pass of the game, 44 yard TD pass to Soma Vainuku

Max Wittek- Mater Dei Grad (same as Barkley) 6 att/ 5 comp 55 yards. 1 TD
Trojan Spring game--- 3-7 27 yards

I apologize for the lack of stats.. this was possibly a bad a idea. On the upside these guys are as green as they come in game time experience but they have been in the system for some time now and have experience passing to the likes of Lee and Woods.
Fun Fact: 2010 ND snapped 8 game losing streak by beating USC in the Coliseum 20-16 then Sophomore starter Matt Barkley did not play do to an high ankle sprain. Mitch Mustain was the back up who had not started since his days at Arkansas, and was 8-17 for 60 yards in his relief to Barkley during the prior Oregon State game. Mitch Mustain was 8-0 W/L as a true freshman at Arkansas.

 

[arahop]

Can't sleep either. Win one game and we are in. If Barkley isn't healthy enough to go It will be Max Wittek for sure. The Irish will practice and be prepared to win this game at all cost. Lets go Irish

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Can't sleep either. Win one game and we are in. If Barkley isn't healthy enough to go It will be Max Wittek for sure. The Irish will practice and be prepared to win this game at all cost. Lets go Irish

I agree

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

The formula doesn't change although I think Diaco is starting to dial up more blitzes. Don't give up the big play and run to set up the pass.

 

[phgreek]

As you mnetion...Lee and Wood matter most...I could QB USC, and be dangerous with Lee and Wood. Doesn't matter who they play...these guys are open by 3-5 yards on about half their plays. Barkley is the clear starter, and the dropoff should be measurable...but I've seen too many Freshman play lights out ball this year, and too many freshman over the years come out and play an AA game against ND, in particular. I don't think these guys are true Freshman, so odds get better they can play, and won't wilt.

As well it appears this game is even more likely SCs real Bowl game. They will be home, and desperate for a W to salvage their season in some way...this team's frame of mind means more to me than who is chucking it...

This game hinges on us playing our A game...and playing it all 4 quarters, as well as handling being no#1, and much less about the other team's QB IMHO.

FOCUS BOYS...FINISH THIS!

We need to watch out for Kiffy trying to suit up Leinart and Bush...since we are on to the Jersey trick ,and the air in the ball routine...

I'll take the safe pick, and say we face Max Wittek, since he got the nod when Barkley went down. I am sure there is one of them Kiffy would assume matches up to our D better, but knowing little else...I'll go with Wittek.

 

[ND_Dubb]

Here is some more stats, that I seemingly did not add, cfbstats.com - 2012 USC Trojans Passing
I agree that Wittek is probably the man. Our D has been solid all year. ND will go in with a well thought out strategy to leave Memorial Coliseum with a W. just throwing out some info for the masses.

 

[texbender]

Play like a Champion....and you will be one.

 

[Seanthornton]

NO MERCY WITH USC GUYS !!! TAKE IT TO THEM !!! IN THERE HOUSE !!!

 

[ohara831]

I would think Wittek would start, and agree with the notion that Diaco brings more blitzes to pressure a young inexperienced QB.

 

[irishff1014]

IT doesn't matter just play our game and follow the game plan and we will be ok.

 

[Rocky2820]

I think generally mixing up the looks is the strategy, not necessarily bringing more blitzes. There are lots of ways to confuse QBs, especially inexperienced ones. Blitzing too much against SC would leave lots of one-on-one matchups with their speedy WRs. I'm sure we'll see some of that, but personally I don't want that consistently because they should be able to easily adjust to a short passing game to their WRs mixed in with some screens. I love our DBs, but I don't want them on an island too much next Saturday evening.

 

[Kak7304]

A few shots from Te'o, Tuitt, Nix, and KLM and he'll just be trying to get rid of the ball. This team is hungry to finish out. We have one game left against our biggest rival so you don't have to worry about motivation. I'm so amped.

 

[Domina Nostra]

PHGREEK said: Doesn't matter who they play...these guys are open by 3-5 yards on about half their plays.


The lack of experience goes to staying calm against a rush as good as ND's, not hitting open receivers. Barley got 14 against the team most like ours: Stanford.

As well it appears this game is even more likely SCs real Bowl game. They will be home, and desperate for a W to salvage their season in some way...this team's frame of mind means more to me than who is chucking it...


If this were MSU or Stanford, I'd agree with you. But this is a team of prima donnas. They did not come to USC to salvage seasons. I think they are going to be out of it mentally, and are already buying into excuses.

This game hinges on us playing our A game...and playing it all 4 quarters, as well as handling being no#1, and much less about the other team's QB IMHO.


This I agree with, but its every game.

We need to play our game, and kick some butt!!! GO IRISH!!!

 

[ThePiombino]

Fun Fact: 2010 ND snapped 8 game losing streak by beating USC in the Coliseum 20-16 then Freshman starter Matt Barkley did not play do to an high ankle sprain. Mitch Mustain was the back up who had not started since his days at Arkansas, and was 8-17 for 60 yards in his relief to Barkley during the prior Oregon State game. Mitch Mustain was 8-0 W/L as a true freshman at Arkansas.

Wasn't Barkley a sophomore?

 

[Rocky2820]

Wasn't Barkley a sophomore?

Yes, because that was two years ago. The last time we played at SC.

 

[IrishLax]

They will roll with Wittek. He is better than Barkley (from what I've heard) but obviously quite inexperienced.

 

[rikkitikki08]

BEAT SC BEAT SC!!! Thats all that matters right now

 

[DomeLover3]

Barkley will come out wearing Wittek's number. Reverse pyschology. The Irish will never expect it.

 

[ulukinatme]

Barkley will come out wearing Wittek's number. Reverse pyschology. The Irish will never expect it.

Excellent Kiffinism.

I expect Wittek will get the start. I assume he ran a similar offense to Barkley since they came from the same high school, so he would probably be the best prepared. Could be either though, I honestly only have that to go on and don't know if their other guy is more mobile or anything.

 

[PigtownIrish]

They will roll with Wittek. He is better than Barkley (from what I've heard) but obviously quite inexperienced.

Ahh yes, the backup is always better, just inexperienced. I remember MSU fans saying Maxwell was better than Cousins.

 

[Irish YJ]

The back up is always the most popular guy on campus

 

[Irish YJ]

Per recruiting profile on Scout....

STRENGTHS
Arm Strength
Field Vision
Release

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Accuracy / Consistency
Running Ability / Mobility


Wittek is a greedy quarterback that is always pressuring the defensive backfield. He has tremendous vision and always wants to make the big play before checking down to his shorter routes. He has a quick release and a strong arm. He struggles with accuracy at times, but shows poise under pressure and a willingness to hang in the pocket and take a hit. A gun-slinger mentality, Wittek likes the high risk, high reward throws - Scott Kennedy

 

[Rocky2820]

Per recruiting profile on Scout....

STRENGTHS
Arm Strength
Field Vision
Release

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Accuracy / Consistency
Running Ability / Mobility


Wittek is a greedy quarterback that is always pressuring the defensive backfield. He has tremendous vision and always wants to make the big play before checking down to his shorter routes. He has a quick release and a strong arm. He struggles with accuracy at times, but shows poise under pressure and a willingness to hang in the pocket and take a hit. A gun-slinger mentality, Wittek likes the high risk, high reward throws - Scott Kennedy

Now let's see what he can do against arguably the #1 defense in college football. The same high school truths may not apply.

 

[kmoose]

The back up is always the most popular guy on campus

Unless your backup is named Thomas Rees!

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

BEAT SC BEAT SC!!! Thats all that matters right now

Yes sir. Can't wait til Saturday night!

 

[Irish YJ]

Yep,,, I were a ref at the coin toss....

Me - Mr. Wittek, meet Manti, Stephon, and big Lou.
Stephon - Mr. Wittek, meet turf. Turf, meet Mr. Wittek.
Lou - Hi Max, can't wait to give you a bigggg hug.
Manti - Can't wait to catch one of your spirals. Want to toss it around and practice?

 

[IrishLax]

Ahh yes, the backup is always better, just inexperienced. I remember MSU fans saying Maxwell was better than Cousins.

Now that's funny. I wonder how much of it is sour grapes like that, and how much of it is Wittek actually being better because... you know... Matt Barkley sucks.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

They will roll with Wittek. He is better than Barkley (from what I've heard) but obviously quite inexperienced.

It's funny how before the season and for most of the season Barkley is the best QB in the country but now that he's hurt his backup is clearly better.

 

[yankeehater]

Heard last night out here locally it was a separated shoulder, but now there is silence. Truthfully, the way he looked yesterday I don't think facing him would be a problem. The D just needs to tackle and limits LEE's YAC.

 

[ickythump1225]

Now that's funny. I wonder how much of it is sour grapes like that, and how much of it is Wittek actually being better because... you know... Matt Barkley sucks.

I wonder how much Matt Barkley wishes someone would invent a time machine so he could go back and declare for the NFL draft. Instead he chose this "unfinished business" tour...