Matt Leinart

LOS ANGELES -- A week after getting past California despite being badly beaten statistically, No. 1 Southern Cal took command early against Arizona State yesterday and routed the 15th-ranked Sun Devils, 45-7. Arizona State (5-1, 2-1 Pac-10) was the third straight unbeaten opponent to challenge USC (6-0, 3-0). Stanford and Cal lost by a combined 9 points. But the Sun Devils presented no such challenge, trailing, 42-7, at halftime. Matt Leinart completed 11 of 16 passes for 193 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another TD in the first half.

We interrupt this seamy, scandal-plagued, cash-grab-of-a-college-football season for the following public-service message: Matt Barkley is staying in school. The announcement Thursday that Barkley will return to Southern California for his senior season isn't really a tale about great sacrifice. He knows NFL-ready quarterback prospects almost always hold their value and he'll likely get his millions soon enough. It isn't even the most uplifting story in the game this week.

The bye weeks have concluded, but for The Bettor's Edge, the six teams in action yesterday may as well have been off, because you can't pick winners for a Thursday game in the Friday newspaper. No matter. Thirteen winners remain up for grabs this weekend, and before we release three, here are a few trends to consider before risking your hard-earned cash. The Chargers have lost five straight and have not covered the spread once during that streak. Kansas City is streaky.

Matt Leinart and Matt Schaub stood next to each other for the final few snaps, Leinart in a sling and Schaub in a walking boot. The scene spoke volumes about Houston's quarterback situation and playoff chances. If the Texans are going to make the postseason for the first time in franchise history, they probably will have to do it with a third-string quarterback. Leinart injured his throwing shoulder yesterday at Jacksonville, overshadowing Houston's 20-13 win over the offensively inept Jaguars.

Matt Leinart had a quick chat with Andre Johnson before leaving the Texans' locker room on Tuesday to catch a flight home to Southern California. When he returns next week, Leinart will have a first-place team to lead and Johnson should be healthy enough to help him. Leinart will be the Texans' starting quarterback in the first game after their bye, at Jacksonville on Nov. 27, because Matt Schaub is out indefinitely with what coach Gary Kubiak termed a "significant" right foot injury.

LOS ANGELES -- Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart will be back for his senior season at Southern California and try to lead the Trojans to an unprecedented third straight national championship. The USC quarterback announced his decision yesterday, opting to complete his eligibility rather than enter the NFL draft, where he figured to be one of the top selections and become an instant millionaire. "I realized the opportunity right now to support my family by going to the NFL early, but to me I think college football and this whole atmosphere here and being...

The Ravens upgraded their receiving corps again by agreeing to terms yesterday with T.J. Houshmandzadeh . To make room for Houshmandzadeh on the roster, the Ravens traded wide receiver Mark Clayton to the Rams for an undisclosed draft pick. Clayton, drafted 22d overall by Baltimore in the 2005 draft, ranks third in Ravens history with 234 career catches and 3,116 yards. Houshmandzaheh, a 10-year veteran who turns 33 Sept. 26, was cut by Seattle last week. He signed a five-year, $40 million free agent deal with the Seahawks before the 2009 season and had a team-high 79 catches...

Houston quarterback Matt Schaub is out indefinitely with a "significant" right foot injury and will miss at least the Texans' next game in two weeks. Coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that Schaub was injured on a quarterback sneak coming out of the end zone late in the second quarter of Houston's 37-9 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday. Schaub stayed in the game, but threw only three passes in the second half. Kubiak said the team was bringing in a specialist from Indianapolis to evaluate Schaub, and the quarterback would fly to Charlotte, N.C., later this week to undergo...

The Raiders have plenty of roster moves they need to make before the start of the season. Apparently trading for Matt Leinart isn’t one of them. The Raiders denied an ESPN report yesterday that said the team has had discussions about trading with Arizona for Leinart. “The Raiders have never discussed trading for Leinart,’’ the team said in a statement. “The Raiders are very happy about their quarterback situation.’’ Oakland acquired Jason Campbell in an offseason trade with Washington.

He's been aggressive calling plays on the field, but Cardinals first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt played it cautious yesterday when the team placed Matt Leinart on injured reserve with a broken left collarbone, ending the franchise quarterback's season. Shortly thereafter, Tim Rattay was brought in for a workout, then signed a one-year contract to be Kurt Warner's backup. Leinart, a lefthander, fractured his collarbone when he was sacked by Will Witherspoon in the second quarter of the Cardinals' 34-31 victory in St. Louis Sunday.

Houston and Jacksonville are facing more quarterback questions. It matters for one. It's moot for the other. The Texans likely lost Matt Leinart for the season because of a broken collarbone in Sunday's 20-13 victory against the Jaguars. The injury comes two weeks after starter Matt Schaub suffered a season-ending foot injury. The Jaguars benched rookie Blaine Gabbert in the fourth quarter, turning things back over to journeyman Luke McCown. For Houston (8-3), losing Leinart would mean the franchise's playoff hopes are in the hands of a third-string quarterback.

Matt Leinart and Matt Schaub stood next to each other for the final few snaps, Leinart in a sling and Schaub in a walking boot. The scene spoke volumes about Houston's quarterback situation and playoff chances. If the Texans are going to make the postseason for the first time in franchise history, they probably will have to do it with a third-string quarterback. Leinart injured his throwing shoulder Sunday at Jacksonville, overshadowing Houston's 20-13 victory against the offensively inept Jaguars.

After six sacks, an interception and plenty of indecision, the Jacksonville Jaguars benched rookie Blaine Gabbert. Coach Jack Del Rio insisted, though, that Gabbert remains the team's starter. Gabbert completed 13 of 29 passes for 136 yards in Sunday's 20-13 loss to Houston. He watched the final two series from the sideline as backup Luke McCown took over. "I know my position on this football team," said Gabbert, the 10th pick in April's draft. "I know what I have to do to win games, plain and simple, and I'm not doing that right now. " ...

The bye weeks have concluded, but for The Bettor's Edge, the six teams in action yesterday may as well have been off, because you can't pick winners for a Thursday game in the Friday newspaper. No matter. Thirteen winners remain up for grabs this weekend, and before we release three, here are a few trends to consider before risking your hard-earned cash. The Chargers have lost five straight and have not covered the spread once during that streak. Kansas City is streaky.

Injured Texans quarterback Matt Schaub was back at practice on Thanksgiving, wearing a protective boot on his right foot as he kept a close eye on his replacement, Matt Leinart. Schaub sustained a Lisfranc injury in Houston's 37-9 win over Tampa Bay on Nov. 13, and had to give up hope on returning this season after meeting with foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte on Wednesday. Houston (7-3) placed Schaub on injured reserve, and Leinart will make his first start at Jacksonville (3-7)

Texans coach Gary Kubiak woke up Wednesday to the bad news he knew was probably inevitable. Doctors told quarterback Matt Schaub that he'll need season-ending surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury in his right foot, and Houston put Schaub on injured reserve and signed Kellen Clemens. Kubiak was hoping Schaub might still return this season after he was hurt in Houston's 37-9 win over Tampa Bay on Nov. 13. But Schaub met with several doctors and talked to Kubiak early Wednesday about the disappointing diagnosis.

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to the terms of a six-year contract with quarterback Matt Leinart that can bring the rookie up to $51 million, Leinart's agent said last night. Leinart, who is expected to begin training camp today after a two-week absence, will be guaranteed $14 million, said Leinart's agent, Tom Condon . The rookie could earn up to $51 million if he meets the terms of escalation clauses that would give him additional money the more he plays. Earlier in the day, Cardinals coach Dennis Green criticized Leinart and his representatives for rejecting "a more than...

Matt Leinart had a quick chat with Andre Johnson before leaving the Texans' locker room on Tuesday to catch a flight home to Southern California. When he returns next week, Leinart will have a first-place team to lead and Johnson should be healthy enough to help him. Leinart will be the Texans' starting quarterback in the first game after their bye, at Jacksonville on Nov. 27, because Matt Schaub is out indefinitely with what coach Gary Kubiak termed a "significant" right foot injury.

Houston quarterback Matt Schaub is out indefinitely with a "significant" right foot injury and will miss at least the Texans' next game in two weeks. Coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that Schaub was injured on a quarterback sneak coming out of the end zone late in the second quarter of Houston's 37-9 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday. Schaub stayed in the game, but threw only three passes in the second half. Kubiak said the team was bringing in a specialist from Indianapolis to evaluate Schaub, and the quarterback would fly to Charlotte, N.C., later this...