If there was a quarterback controversy brewing at SC after Mark Sanchez’s solid performance at Notre Dame, it all but died after the 3rd-year sophomore arguably cost his team the Oregon game a week later by throwing two second-half interceptions. Pete Carroll told reporters in no uncertain terms that if John David Booty, who worked with the first team offense Monday, feels 100% and survives the week without aggravating his healing middle finger, he’ll start against Oregon State.  Booty said Monday that his finger has improved to the point that it feels like it did at the start of training camp. Asked if offensive play calling will be more aggressive with Booty at quarterback, Steve Sarkisian told reporters, “Oh, there’s no doubt.” Read on for more details from Monday.

• An MRI exam revealed that LT Sam Baker sustained a torn but partially attached hamstring, making him doubtful for Saturday’s game. OG Chilo Rachal missed practice Monday due to illness.
• Sarkisian shouldered the blame for what looked like a few head-scratchingly bad play calls against Oregon. He said that he regretted not calling timeout on fourth-and-one at Oregon’s 12 yard-line when Joe McKnight’s run was stuffed. He also regretted passing on a second-and-one play which resulted in a Sanchez interception. Sarkisian accepts criticism as “part of the job” and added, “I’m not happy we got in the red zone five times and scored 17 points.”
• RB Stafon Johnson (sprained foot), has “looked the best he’s looked (since the injury occurred more than a month ago), which is great news,” according to Carroll. He may be close to 100% on Saturday, which would be extremely welcome news to a tailback group which averaged just 3.1 yards per carry against Oregon, though offensive line coach Pat Ruel attributed that figure to an ”unacceptable” run blocking performance stemming from an inconsistent lineup through eight games.
• Center Kris O’Dowd (dislocated kneecap) did not practice Monday, but will return this week, though Pat Ruel doubted he would be sharp enough (though healthy enough) to play Saturday after sitting for four weeks.
• Defensive backs Taylor Mays and Shareece Wright were forced to undergo punitive conditioning exercises instead of practicing for being late to medical treatment sessions, which apparently annoyed Mays who, according the the O.C. Register, looked “peeved” and refused to discuss it.
• Punter Greg Woidneck worked with sports psychologist Sean Brawley Monday after a two-game slump during which several of his punts were poorly struck. Though Woidneck is on the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, he hasn’t felt comfortable in his process and believes he’s thinking too much.

Insider: Booty looks ready; more on Oregon (Rivals, $)
Booty is in line to start this week (LA Times)
Trojans’ blocking has been woeful (LA Daily News)
‘Controversy’ over: Booty returns as USC starter (Orange County Register)
USC places focus on finishing strong (Daily Trojan)