Sticking with Barkley is the smart move

(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

With the Trojans' recent struggles, many have been questioning the decision to use this season as a 'baptism by fire' for true freshman quarterback Matt Barkley.

The injury to sophomore Aaron Corp in fall practice opened the door for young Barkley and all but shut it on the hopes for competition at the position for Corp as well as Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain.

Both Corp and Mustain offered a wealth of experience at the position.

Corp came out of spring practice with his hands on the starting position, while Mustain once went 8-0 piloting the Arkansas Razorbacks as a true freshman himself.

For his part, Barkley did a wonderful job endearing him to the program and fans alike in leading the Trojans over the Buckeyes on September 12.

Unfortunately, the early success that Barkley enjoyed has not carried through to recent games this season.

While it has not exactly worked out as well as had been expected for anyone on the team this season, the decision to keep Barkley as the starter will ultimately be the smart move.

Through his first five games of the season Barkley played well, even eliciting some Heisman chatter following the Trojans' win over Notre Dame.

In those first five games, Barkley threw for 1,338 yards with five touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Since then, Matt Barkley has come back down to earth.

In the four games following the dramatic win over Notre Dame, Barkley has been playing like, well, a true freshman might play.

Against Oregon State, Oregon, Arizona State and Stanford, Barkley's play, along with his quarterback rating, have deteriorated.  While he threw six touchdowns in those four games, Barkley also turned the ball over eight times in that span.

Although Barkley has had his struggles down the stretch, the losses to Oregon and Stanford are not exactly all on his shoulders.  Injuries on both sides of the ball, defensive struggles and offensive line woes have all contributed to the Trojans' problems this season.

While Barkley has struggled as well, it is imperative that he retains his position as the starting quarterback of the team.  Pulling Barkley from the starting position now would accomplish nothing more than shattering his confidence, something that has already taken a few blows in recent weeks.

If anything, the team, coaches and fans should continue to stand behind their true freshman and allow Barkley to continue to develop into the premium quarterback talent that we all know he is and can be.

With Southern California's BCS hopes now all but a distant dream with the Trojans’ only chance at a conference title hinging on a Washington State Cougars victory (something the Cougs have only managed to accomplish once this season), the Trojans have more to lose by replacing Barkley than they do in standing behind him and looking towards a brighter future.