SANCHEZ WATCH DAY 16

PETE CARROLL ANNOUNCED AFTER PRACTICE ON THURSDAY THAT MARK SANCHEZ WILL BE THE STARTER WHEN USC VISITS THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON ON SATURDAY. THE GAME WILL BEGIN AT HIGH NOON.

SANCHEZ WATCH PREDICTS THAT THIS GAME WILL INDEED DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF MARK SANCHEZ'S CAREER. A WIN, AND HE IS THE QUARTERBACK FOR THIS TEAM. A POOR PERFORMANCE, JOHN DAVID BOOTY TAKES BACK OVER. A GREAT PERFORMANCE FROM SANCHEZ, BUT A HARD FOUGHT LOSS? WON'T HAPPEN. USC'S DEFENSE STRUGGLES VS. RUNNING QBS LIKE DIXON, BUT THEY CORRALLED HIM LAST YEAR, AND IF ANYONE HAS THE PERSONELL TO BEAT OREGON, IT'S...WELL, I GUESS IT'S CAL BECAUSE THEY ALREADY DID IT. BUT IF IT'S ANYONE ELSE, IT'S USC. THE ONLY WAY USC LOSES IS IF THEY LOSE THE TURNOVER BATTLE, AND THAT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE BLAMED ON THE QUARTERBACK.

THE CHIPS ARE DOWN.

VIVA SANCHEZ!!!!

SANCHEZ WATCH DAY 13

Earlier in the week I speculated that since John David Booty told the world he could start practicing again on Saturday, I assumed that he was back in playing condition and that whoever took the 1st team reps in practice on Monday would be solidified as USC's starter for the showdown at Oregon this week.

But when I said that, my wife brought something important to my attention. Namely, that John David Booty's finger is still, technically, broken.

Why was that significant? Because Pete Carroll's initials are P.C., and he lives up to them by always doing the politically expeditious thing.

Coach Carroll is no dummy. And he knows a QB controversy puts him in a no-win situation.

If he says both his qbs are healthy and he's choosing between them, he faces the wrath of the public the next time anything goes wrong. But, if he can please the public without coming off as committed either way, he's in the clear. And Booty's sort-of ok, sort-of not ok injury along with USC's schedule is providing a way for him to do just that.

All Pete Carroll has to do to avoid a QB controversy is to cite Booty's still broken finger, and start mark Sanchez this Saturday. Why? Because neither JD Booty or Mark Sanchez has a win over a good team this season (USC'S seven opponents to date have a win percentage of .283), and this Oregon game is the Trojan's only crack at a top 10 opponent.

If Sanchez stays hot and plays well in the toughest stadium in the Pac-10, USC will officially be back in the hunt for a BCS Bowl, and the sophomore will be the unquestioned leader of the team. Pete can give his, "John David Booty is a great player, but Mark Sanchez is the guy for this particular team." press conference, and no one outside of Booty's immediate family could complain.

If Sanchez starts at OU and struggles, P.C. just turns around and says, "We're sure excited for John David to get back to helping us again." And magically, Booty's finger will be healed for the Oregon State game on Nov 3.

With Sanchez the overwhelming favorite of the public, the Trojan Family would drop the hammer on Carroll for benching him unless Booty played perfect at Autzen. By playing Sanchez "because of Injury", Carroll is in the clear no matter which quarterback emerges as the clear-cut leader.

They don't call the man P.C. for nothing.

SANCHEZ WATCH DAY 13:BILL DWYER IS A POMPUS BLOWHARD

DAY 13 OF SANCHEZ WATCH OPENS TO OMINOUS, SMOKE-FILLED SKIES FROM THE EAST. FIRES FUELED BY RAGING SANTA ANA WINDS ARE BURNING CALIFORNIA. BUT THE SMOKY HOT AIR ISN'T JUST BLOWING FROM THE DESERT, IT'S WHIPPING AROUND PRETTY FIERCE IN TODAY'S LA TIMES AS WELL.

BILL DWYER, THE ARROGANT, OVER-FED, NOTRE DAME GRAD SPORTS EDITOR OF THE LA TIMES HAS ENDORSED GUESS WHO FOR USC QUARTERBACK? SINCE USC HAS NO BIGGER ENEMY ON THE LOCAL SPORTS SCENE THAN THE PERENNIALLY BIASED DWYER, HIS SELF-CONTRADICTORY, POORLY REASONED COLUMN TODAY ENDORSING JOHN DAVID BOOTY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AN OBVIOUS INSTRUCTION ON WHAT NOT TO DO. I WON'T PROVIDE A LINK TO THAT FILTH HERE ON SANCHEZ WATCH, BUT TO SUMMARIZE, IT ARGUES THAT BOOTY SHOULD START BECAUSE OF A PAST RECORD THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE. DWYER CALLED THE LOSSES TO UCLA LAST YEAR, AND STANFORD THIS YEAR, "FLUKES" THAT WERE, "OUT OF BOOTY'S HANDS". REALLY? WERE THE 4 INTERCEPTIONS OUT OF BOOTY'S HANDS? WOW. HOW 'BOUT THE FACT THAT WE SCORED 9 POINTS AT UCLA? WAS THAT THE FAULT OF THE OTHER 10 GUYS PLAYING OFFENSE, BUT NOT THEIR LEADER?

SANCHEZ WATCH WILL NOW VOMIT ON THE FRESH CARPET OF HIS NEW OFFICE.

IN ACTUAL SANCHEZ WATCH NEWS, SANCHEZ TOOK 100% OF FIRST TEAM SNAPS AGAIN ON MONDAY.

SANCHEZ WATCH!!!

WELCOME EVERYONE TO SANCHEZ WATCH 2007!

ESPN REPORTS TODAY THAT DIRTY SANCHEZ TOOK ALL OF THE 1ST TEAM SNAPS IN THE TROJANS PRACTICE ON MONDAY.

Should the Sanchez era start on Saturday, I think you can pencil him in for at least one bonehead pick, and some missed reads. But you can also pencil him in for some athleticism that booty doesn't provide, more catchable passes, some making it happen with his feet, and (GASP!) charisma and leadership! The offense comes alive when Sanchez gets in there. And though he will indeed throw one dumb interception, he will make some great plays, AND THEN ARIZONA WILL BE THE FIRST TO WITNESS THE GREATNESS OF SANCHEZ AND NONE WILL DENY!!!!!