[Lefty Noob]

SI.com's Stewart Mandel recently did an article on 10 of the top stories in NCAA football entering the spring, and one of the issues he covers is the search for Matt Leinart's heir at USC.

Mandel writes the following:

USC has had just two starting quarterbacks in Pete Carroll's five seasons -- Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart -- and both won Heisman trophies. Needless to say, there's more than a little interest in L.A. as to who inherits the reins next. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and quarterbacks coach Steve Sarkisian have both said they'd like to name a starter by the end of spring. Booty, who graduated from high school a year early only to sit behind Leinart for three seasons, has the clear edge in experience over redshirt freshman Sanchez, but practice observers last season were blown away by the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Sanchez's arm strength and delivery. The guess here is that Booty will emerge from spring as the starter but will be constantly looking over his shoulder should he struggle in the slightest next fall (which is entirely possible considering the amount of attrition on the Trojans' O-line).

When its all said and done, who do you think it's going to be? My money's on Booty. He has the experience edge, and while Sanchez may have the physical and mechanical edge, there really isn't a gigantic gap between the two. Sanchez will get his chance next season; this year, it's Booty's show unless he really stinks up the place.

[desertrat]

I have to agree it will be Booty. He has been in the program a few years and should know the system better than Sanchez.

[Lefty Noob]

Why are some people pushing for Sanchez to start so early in his career? He's got plently of time -- use Booty this year and Sanchez still has 3 seasons running the SC offense. Is he really that good, that talented, that the coaches are so eager to plug him right in as a redshirt freshman?

[Lefty Noob]

Looks like Sanchez will get his snaps with the first team. Booty just had surgery to repair a bulging disc in his back. He's out for the remainder of spring drills. Doesn't look like he's in danger of losing his staring job, though, according to coach Pete Carroll: "I don't have to make any decisions because when we started out, John David was well ahead of Mark," Carroll told the AP earlier in the week. "It couldn't happen at a better time."

[wvuauthor]

If I was in charge I would name Booty the starter just to clear everything up. I think a controversy at the QB position can be detrimental. Let Sanchez develop and he will get his chance soon enough.

If the starter, regardless of who it is, is always looking over his shoulder every time he makes a mistake he will be gun shy. I come from the thinking that you should name a starter and give him a fair shot.

[wvuauthor]

Booty had a minor procedure on his back today...

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_...v=ap&type=lgns

I wonder is this is going to be an ongoing issue?

[Lefty Noob]

Actually, wvu, that's the surgery I mentioned. Check the article - its dated March 31.

He is supposed to miss 8-12 weeks because of it, though. Hence Sanchez's opportunity to play with the first team this spring. It'll be interesting to see how he performs given this opportunity.

[wvuauthor]

Ohhh geez...I guess its not really an ongoing problem then..I was reading it wrong.

Well you are right about that. We will see if Sanchez can lock up the spot with a dominating performance..

[Lefty Noob]

Booty has been named USC's #1 QB, despite missing most of spring practice.

"[Booty] feels terrific -- he has no pain at all," Trojans coach Pete Carroll told the AP yesterday. "To see John David feeling so good gives us the feeling he's going to jump out of this rehab. He wants to throw right now -- he feels like he can throw right now"

However, Carroll also hinted that the depth chart may not remain this way, especially since Booty's still facing 8 more weeks of rehab. "I wouldn't count Mark out, he's done too well. Mark's gained more ground on him -- he had a great spring. His bid to start has been enhanced by that."

[wvuauthor]

I think that even though Booty was named the #1 that things are not done yet. This may just be a way to downplay the media attention.