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2012 Sun Bowl: USC QB Matt Barkley looking doubtful

Max Wittek is likely to start for the USC Trojans at quarterback in the Sun Bowl.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley is unlikely to take the field in Monday's Sun Bowl against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, according to a report from Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.

Kiffin continues to say that Matt Barkley will practice after the Trojans arrive in El Paso next week, but the NFL-bound senior will almost certainly refrain from playing and risking further injury to his right shoulder.

In the event that Barkley does not play, backup quarterback Max Wittek is listed as the co-starter and would take the reigns in Barkley's absence. Barkley, a four-year starter and senior, suffered a shoulder injury during a loss to the UCLA Bruins on Nov. 17 and missed the team's regular-season finale against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

With Barkley out of the lineup, Wittek completed 14 of 23 passes against the Irish for 186 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. While the Georgia Tech offense ranks No. 34 in the nation, the team's defense ranks No. 79 and could have its hands full against talented Trojans players like Robert Woods and Marqise Lee.

Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.