Return Of The Matt: Barkely’s Return Only A Start for USC

Matt Barkley is returning to Southern California for his senior season. Let the more boisterous among the Trojan fan base rejoice and preemptively celebrate a national championship not yet won. Barkley’s return, coupled with the lifting of a two-year ban, is a long stride back to national relevance. But it’s not time to start popping champagne

Barkley coming back for a final run sends a resounding message that the 2012 Trojans have lofty aspirations. Overshadowed in all the hullabaloo over Barkley is that safety T.J. McDonald, one of the Trojans’ top five players, also announced his return on Wednesday. Both were key pieces to a resurgence at USC during the season’s second half. By year’s end, one could argue the Trojans were playing BCS-level football. Rose Bowl-bound Oregon would be hard-pressed to disagree.

The collective mindset exhibited in Barkley’s decision is reminiscent of Matt Leinart spurning the NFL in the spring of 2005 for a swing at a

third

second straight national championship. And those mid-2000s Trojans set a benchmark for college football greatness. Indeed, Barkley was on the radar of every draftnik as a surefire first rounder. He’s had the look of an NFL’er (and an ’80s movie bully, but that’s beside the point) since he first arrived at USC from prep football powerhouse Mater Dei.

A new collective bargaining agreement probably helped ease Barkley’s choice to return, but nevertheless, a few million is an upgrade from nothing — Trojan haters, feel free to add your own punchlines in the Comments section. Getting another season to throw to what was arguably the best receiving corps in college football had to have helped, as well. Neither Robert Woods nor Marqise Lee is yet draft eligible, though both are first round talents. And while the USC backfield has never quite been the same since LenDale White and Reggie Bush left town, Curtis McNeal’s emergence through the Trojans’ impressive second half run bodes well for a more balanced attack. As is the case with most quarterbacks, Barkley’s completion and interception numbers both correlated directly to how well the Trojans ran.

So why am I not advocating Trojan fans to get on Priceline immediately to scout early January travel packages to Miami? One big reason, both literally and figuratively is Matt Kalil. That other Matt was as integral a force in the Trojan offense as Barkley, if not more so. Kalil is NFL-bound, with the size and footwork necessary to start from Week 1. A player of Kalil’s caliber is not easily replaced. Lane Kiffin has received verbal commitments from two of the top prep offensive line prospects in Max Tuerk and Jordan Simmons, and Khaled Holmes should be back to provide veteran leadership. But Kalil’s absence leaves a gaping hole.

The other Trojan line also loses its top performer, end Nick Perry. He was responsible for 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, both easily team highs. Perry led the Trojan efforts to pressure opposing quarterbacks. That lack of pressure off the line could affect a pass defense that was already No. 101 nationally, surrendering nearly 270 yards per game. The Trojans had their worst defensive outings against Arizona, Arizona State and Stanford: all heavy passing attacks. DaJohn Harris graduates, compounding the questions that are sure to arise on the defensive line. Essentially, 2012 poses a reverse of what defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin faced in 2011: from an experienced line and youthful secondary, to an experienced secondary with a youthful line.

Shane Horton and Chris Gallipo also depart from what was a stout rushing defense. Hayes Pullard and Dion Bailey are standout linebackers, but the beginning creep of depth issues could be seen.

Certainly there’s more reason for optimism than at any time in the last three seasons. The high note on which 2011 ended is reaching a crescendo, but USC still has work to do before it can plant its flag back atop the mountain. Remember, a certain Ducks team was a 14.5-point favorite against a certain Trojans team last month. And we all know what happens when a team is prematurely crowned.