Will John David Booty’s experience win him the start over Mark Sanchez’ young-gun momentum?

Coming off a successful 2006 campaign culminating in a decisive Rose Bowl victory, job security didn’t seem an issue for John David Booty. Nor did Mark Sanchez have to worry about vying for the starting quarterback spot either, at least not until Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain cleared for play in 2008. No, there was never supposed to be any quarterback controversy at USC this season. Then again, USC was never supposed to lose to 41-point underdog Stanford.

For sophomore Sanchez, the loss to Stanford coupled with (5th year senior) old-man Booty’s broken finger, meant his chance for the spot-light. After the near miss against the Huskies and a week later the streak-shattering defeat at home, disillusioned fans were shouting “Bench Booty!” Still JDB would most likely have started against Arizona, if not for breaking his middle finger during the loss.

Sanchez was off to a shaky start, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns against the Wildcats. Still, with the help of the Trojans running game, Mark Sanchez completed his first game as a starter with a fat “W” in the column that counts the most. Then came his second contest, an away game, not to mention one of the most storied rivalries in college football: the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Booty still felt pain and swelling, so Sanchez was given the nod.

Let’s just say the Irish have not been their best this season, so starting Sanchez seemed as good a bet as any. But he excelled all expectations, destroying the Irish 38-0 with 4 touchdown passes and no picks. Because of this performance, the Sanchez fan club is calling for his continuation this Saturday at 5th ranked Oregon. Sanchez says the game at Notre Dame has prepared him for the rancorous crowd he’ll face up in Eugene. But has it prepared him for the Duck defense that has a +9 turnover margin over USC this season?

This Saturday will without a doubt be the biggest contest the Trojans have faced all year, and perhaps the most difficult of the season. While the key struggle will most likely play out between the high-octane Oregon offense and the brick-wall USC defense, the starting quarterback will have to put up some big numbers with big-time accuracy if he wants a chance at surpassing Oregon’s score for the win.

Although Booty is not yet 100%, he has thrown in practice for two straight days without the protective receiver’s glove he had worn previously. His full-speed performance in practice has been promising. Booty has even said publicly he’s “itching” to get back in the driver’s seat. But as reported by the LA Times, Sanchez is not yet ready to give it up.

“Once you get the nod it totally changes, like a heavyweight fighter — you win the title and that’s it, you don’t want to look back and you don’t want to change,” Sanchez said. “That’s the way I feel and I’m working to keep the job.”

Sources report Booty’s close to winning the start. Others report Sanchez is expecting the nod. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian says the call will probably be made tonight. Now USC’s coaching staff, and in particular head coach Pete Carroll, has an interesting situation on their hands. Do they play the older battle-tested, but out of practice war-hero? Or do they go with the momentum of a hot-shot young gun who has won a couple battles but has never seen a war?

Trojan fans seem to be split down the middle. Trojanwire readers are no exception. What do you think? Should USC go up against Oregon with the age and wisdom of Booty, or the youth and momentum of Sanchez, and why?

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