Barkley a first since 1975

1. If it seems it's been a long wait for the start of the season, well, it has been. The Sept. 3 opening day is the latest for the FBS since the 1981 season began on Sept. 5.

2. Matt Barkley of No. 4 USC will be the first true freshman quarterback to start the opener for a preseason top-five team since Rick Leach did it for No. 3 Michigan in 1975. (The Wolverines were ranked No. 2 when they played their first game.) UM finished that season 8-2-2 and ranked eighth in the final poll.

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