Morning Buzz

Scott, that was a fair assessment. I'd also add:
1. Fatigue may be a major factor. With injuries to the front 4, and lack of depth at LB, the starters stay on the field longer. Short possessions by the O haven't helped. One of the strengths of USC is the depth of talent that keeps players fresh throughout the game. When you take that away, maybe USC's D isn't so special this season.
2. The DRs would be better with Wright at CB and Pinkard at safety.
3. It's hard to tell watching TV, but I wonder if Carroll played right into OSU's strength by going to a "keep the catches in front of you" scheme when USC got the lead.

Pete's bend but don't break fell apart against Oregon State. 4 TD's on only 5 drives in the second half mean Carroll did NOT adjust properly or ever again in the second half. USC is also allowing easy releases by slot receivers and tight ends, not funneling or re-routing at all. I would also have to say that Taylor Mays is playing a couple steps slow, having given up 4 TD's the past two weeks where he was supposed to be there to wipe the play out. Last year he there on time on a regular basis and it showed up on ESPN every Saturday night. This year he's either late or not there.
USC penalty machine also got OSU rolling on their first drive the 2nd half with a quick 15 yards on the kick catch interference by Morgan to start the drive and the pass interference, although it was only a 5 yard penalty, it went from 3 and Goal from the USC 11 to 1st and G on the 6.

I wonder if Taylor Mays is letting the talk of him being a head hunter get to him. He seems a little tentative making his hits lately and Todd McShay had an excellent breakdown of Golden Tate's final touchdown against Mays when Taylor just threw out a little "chicken wing" instead of laying the lumber. The replay showed that Mays was in perfect position to annihilate Tate, but laid what can only be described as a Pop Warner hit on him (of course Tate glared at a fallen Mays like he had just slept with his mother - and I thought that was uncalled for as well)

When are we going to see Taylor Mays get his edge back and just start destroying receivers again (since his ball skills are severely lacking)?

I just want Taylor Mays to wrap-up on his tackles. That has been a problem since his freshman year. Sometimes, it might be better to play the ball, or wrap-up with your hands and perhaps strip the ball. Instead, he launches his body for the kill shot. He has missed and hit his own player (e.g., Rose Bowl). He has all of the physical tools to be a star in the NFL, but he needs work on his tackling/pass coverage. IMHO. As noted above (and in the ESPN report), he has been a step late in pass coverage. I wonder if his knee is still bothering him.