Matt Barkley Returns To USC For His Senior Season

by Avinash Kunnath on Dec 22, 2011 12:49 PM PST in California Golden Bears Football

Andrew Luck likely gone, LaMichael James and Chris Polk pondering going, Matt Kalil, Nick Perry, David DeCastro already gone. Not a bad list of junior departures for the Pac-12.

But I guess you can't get everything you want.

@PeteThamelNYT
Pete Thamel Barkley has told teammates he’s returning. Look for good news for USC fans at 4.
Dec 22 via TweetDeckFavorite RetweetReply

It's a bit of a calculated risk. But it's clear Matt Barkley isn't going to be the top pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and this decision probably vaults him to the top of draft boards in 2013 as the marquee quarterback. Barkley does lose his left tackle, but he also returns the rest of his starting offensive line, his primary top tailback in Curtis McNeal, two young and primary tight ends Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer, and of course Marqise Lee and Robert Woods. USC will be the prohibitive Pac-12 favorites next season, particularly with Oregon visiting them.

It certainly makes victory in the Coliseum a more difficult task. Of course, except for 2010, our failure to beat USC has had less to do with our defense against Trojan quarterbacks, but more to do with our lack of offense against formidable USC defensive fronts.

We'll see if things have changed and whether Cal can put together the effort on offense they need to challenge the Trojans. It's been a long time since they have.

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Damn.

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CALIFORNIA ANGELS . . . ANAHEIM DUCKS . . . CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS
1920 • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1937 • 1947 • 1951 • 1957 • 1959 • 2002 • 2007

by AndyHogan14 on Dec 22, 2011 12:54 PM PST reply actions

Aw..forget him...

I just wanted to come on the board, before we all took off for the holidays, and say how much I’ve appreciated each and every one of you. From the mods (Av, Twist, Kodiak, etc.) to the regular commenters, it has been a great time on a daily basis. I’m looking forward to a great 2012, with us getting to the Rose Bowl and to the tourney. Go Bears!

Lawrence Ross

by alpha1906 on Dec 22, 2011 1:00 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

I really hope we don't play a bowl game in 2012

by Oski4Heisman on Dec 22, 2011 3:58 PM PST up reply actions 4 recs

OOOOPS!!!

Lawrence Ross

by alpha1906 on Dec 22, 2011 4:20 PM PST up reply actions

He is toying with SC fans right now.

cal. lakers. dodgers. packers. chelsea.
vols. rangers. galaxy.

by cldpc on Dec 22, 2011 1:04 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, LeBron would be proud of that.

by Avinash Kunnath on Dec 22, 2011 1:05 PM PST up reply actions

Well, it looks like the losing streak to USC won’t end next year.

Does this make the Trojans a national title contender next year? They certainly looked like it towards the end of this season.

"Some people watch adult videos on their computer - I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That’s what gets me going."- Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions head coach
California Golden Blogs

by Berkelium97 on Dec 22, 2011 1:08 PM PST reply actions

I would think so. Especially given the state of the Pac12… I don’t think anybody is going to improve significantly. Stanford will still be good, but probably like a 3 loss kind of good. USC/Oregon will battle it out for the tops.

by ConcernedParent on Dec 22, 2011 1:39 PM PST up reply actions

Cal should improve.

"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded

by atomsareenough on Dec 22, 2011 1:53 PM PST up reply actions

I could see Stanford falling back more towards the middle of the Pac. They’re basically going to have to completely remake their offense – OL decimated, best TE gone, WR’s gone, and Luck gone. Defense loses it’s safeties and best player (but returns their injured LB who was probably the 2nd best player on D).

by Missing Barry on Dec 22, 2011 8:52 PM PST up reply actions

no one has said it yet

DOOOOM

"Our hearts shall sing and our voices ring for the dear old Blue and Gold!"

by Joe Bandsmen on Dec 22, 2011 1:24 PM PST via Android app reply actions

just gives our D the opportunity to send him to the 2nd round

by GoldenBear8933 on Dec 22, 2011 1:27 PM PST reply actions 4 recs

Damn. It cannot be said enough, I hate $C.

by I hate $C on Dec 22, 2011 1:34 PM PST reply actions

It’s a good thing USC is in the South division, so we don’t have to play them every year, right guys? Guys?

by minesweeper on Dec 22, 2011 1:35 PM PST reply actions 4 recs

DOOM

at least it’s better for the Conference.
now what happens if Luck returns?

by JustBear on Dec 22, 2011 1:42 PM PST reply actions

That would be DOOOOOOOOOOOOMAGEDDON.

by minesweeper on Dec 22, 2011 8:10 PM PST up reply actions

Another year of Barkley to Woods/Lee?!?!

Dooooooom! I also wish the Pac-12 would move to only 8 conference games instead of 9…

Just Plain Sports
www.youtube.com/JustPlainSports

by crazedfan on Dec 22, 2011 1:43 PM PST reply actions

Well, looks like our losing streak against USC will be extended for yet another year.

i'm here to clean your pool but i don't have a pool *bowchica bowow*

by ch0ster on Dec 22, 2011 1:47 PM PST reply actions

You know what....

F-it. I’m glad he is back. We should try to knock them off while they are strong, not a watered down version of them. I’m tired of hoping a team is weak to beat them.

by CalBeer on Dec 22, 2011 1:56 PM PST reply actions 4 recs

but win vs. a decent USC is still better than losing to a good USC team.

by JustBear on Dec 22, 2011 1:59 PM PST up reply actions

or a win against USC, period, would be nice. haven’t had that in quite a while.

i'm here to clean your pool but i don't have a pool *bowchica bowow*

by ch0ster on Dec 22, 2011 2:00 PM PST up reply actions

Kind of like how I was completely okay with beating a struggling Oregon State team this year.

by oskiwow on Dec 22, 2011 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs

yes

"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded

by atomsareenough on Dec 22, 2011 2:28 PM PST up reply actions

Yep, we better at least play SC close this year

Yes stanfurd is our main rival but SC is also an important rivalry and we better start winning or at the very least playing them closer.

by SDBear on Dec 22, 2011 4:44 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Well, I’ll put it this way. I’m not glad he’s back, but if he is, he is. We should be able to beat USC no matter who they have at QB. This makes it harder, but it was going to be difficult regardless.

"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded

by atomsareenough on Dec 22, 2011 2:08 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs

For me, it’s hard to be that idealistic when you haven’t won in 8 years…

by puresilence on Dec 22, 2011 4:17 PM PST up reply actions

I’m in the same boat.

by SDBear on Dec 22, 2011 4:44 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Nice post Avi!

CGB is the Top of The Class, makes me proud my kid is a Bear. Merry Christmas to all of you and best of luck in the Holiday Bowl.

GO BEARS!

"That's what the FBI can never understand - that what Paulie and the organization offer is protection for the kinds of guys who can't go to the cops. They're like the police department for wiseguys." Henry Hill, Goodfellas.

Feeling Loco?

by M. AGRIPPA on Dec 22, 2011 2:15 PM PST reply actions

Meh, it was going to be tough to win in LA anyway. Now they can bring out a new QB in Berkeley and we can give him a rude welcome!
Because you know, that idea went SO WELL in 2009! (And we’re going to have a new QB that year too… well crap)

The Bear Will Not Quit, The Bear Will Not Die
CAL 34 - STAN 28

by Nik Jam on Dec 22, 2011 2:36 PM PST reply actions

But it’s gonna be future Heisman winner Zach Kline!!! :)

"i, for one, welcome our new atomic overlords" - GoldBlooded

by atomsareenough on Dec 22, 2011 3:06 PM PST up reply actions

KNOCK ON WOOD!!!

You may anger the Gods if you don’t . . .

www.LosAngelesRams.org

CALIFORNIA ANGELS . . . ANAHEIM DUCKS . . . CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS
1920 • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1937 • 1947 • 1951 • 1957 • 1959 • 2002 • 2007

by AndyHogan14 on Dec 22, 2011 3:47 PM PST up reply actions

This is what happens

when your coach doesn’t declare you Sanchez.

Also, fitting that the picture up top is credited to an M. Sanchez.

by Oski4Heisman on Dec 22, 2011 3:57 PM PST reply actions

LOL at the photo credit.

by paleodan on Dec 22, 2011 6:12 PM PST up reply actions

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