Quarterbacks Grace Sports Illustrated Covers

ESPN declared 2011 “Year of the Quarterback.” Sports Illustrated is making no such definitive declaration, but the publication is celebrating the position in its regional covers. Oklahoma’s Landry Jones is among those featured, which might make Sooner fans nervous. OU is an overwhelming favorite to win the Big 12 and contend for the BCS championship. Crimson & Cream Machine points out that its just a regional cover, perhaps lessening the omnipresent threat of an SI curse.

Jones is predicted to gun it out with conference mate Geno Smith for Big 12 supremacy. Before they meet in Morgantown come November, the competition is between which looks better fronting the most prominent sports publication?

Matt Barkley isn’t sweating any potential SI curse. The quarterback of trendy pre-season pick to end the SEC’s reign of dominance USC tweeted his excitement about the selection.

Barkley also continued the Trojans’ on-going, off-season theme of “Unfinished Business” and disrespect. How many disrespected teams rank No. 2 in the USA Today poll and SI preview, I don’t know, but there you go.

To win the title so many have USC chasing, the Trojans need to dethrone Alabama and its quarterback, AJ McCarron. McCarron leads the Tide into defense of their title Sept. 1 against Michigan, and its fellow SI cover boy QB Denard Robinson.