We interrupt all things basketball to bring you our position-by-position preview of USC spring football 2009. The players hit the field for the first sanctioned practice March 28. Part 1 of 9 examines the quarterbacks, and really, is there a better place to start?

THE PARTICIPANTS
Matt Barkley (freshman), Aaron Corp (redshirt sophomore), Garrett Green (senior), John Manoogian (redshirt freshman), Chris McCaffery (sophomore), Mitch Mustain (junior transfer).

THE KEY PLAYERS
Barkley, Corp, Mustain

PETE CARROLL SAYS
“The competition for the starting quarterback job will be as wide open as we’ve ever had. Each player brings his own high-level skill set into play. We’re excited to see how they will battle during the spring, and we’ll be closely monitoring their leadership ability. We’ve set no deadline on naming a starter. We’ll let them compete and see what happens. Every day will be important.”

THREE QUESTIONS (AND ANSWERS)
1. Does Barkley really have a chance to win the starting job?
The coaches have said he does, and Carroll isn’t afraid to play freshmen. But it took Corp and Mustain more than a year to get the playbook down. So no.

2. Does Green really have a chance to win the starting job?
Last month new QB coach Jeremy Bates called it a four-way race. But starting Green wouldn’t be in the program’s best long-term interest, even if he shows signs of being the best short-term solution.

3. So who will win the starting job then?
Knowing how important ball security is to Carroll — nothing ranks higher on his personal football food chain — the pick remains Corp. Mustain still has to show he won’t make the killer mistakes that plagued him in practice last season, and seeing is believing on that front.

YOUR TURN

PREVIEW SCHEDULE

• Tuesday, March 17: Quarterbacks
• Wednesday, March 18: Running backs
• Thursday, March 19: Wide receivers
• Friday, March 20: Tight ends
• Monday, March 23: Offensive linemen
• Tuesday, March 24: Defensive linemen
• Wednesday, March 25: Linebackers
• Thursday, March 26: Defensive backs
• Friday, March 27: Specialists

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• NCAA tournament: Family ties–BC and the Goodfellas
• NCAA Tournament poll: How far will USC go?
• NCAA tournament: An early look at Boston College
• NCAA Tournament: USC to face Boston College
• Pac-10 Tournament: 5 reasons I was wrong about USC
• Pac-10 tournament: USC upsets ASU with late rally