More bad news, Pete

I guess we'll find out how indestructible the Pete Carroll/USC machine is this year. Not only did Mark Sanchez dare to disagree with Peter the Great on his NFL future, coaches seem to be on their way out in droves.

First, Steve Sarkisian took the job at Washington, then he proceeded to hire away USC defensive coordinator Nick Holt - who, it seems even took a pay cut to leave LA and get out from under Pete's thumb.

Now, new offensive coordinator Carl Smith, who has yet to call a play for the Trojans, decides to interview with the Browns.

Of course, any self-destruction of the Trojans is probably wishful thinking by the rest of college football. Pete knows what wins in college football is talent. And USC still has a truckload.

But, for the rest of us, it was nice to see a little of Pete's teflon chipped away thanks to the Sanchez press conference. There are things you can get bad pub about and it won't hurt you - being a jerk to the media, raging against officials or the BCS and whining about other coaches. But you can't be a jerk about your players leaving early for the NFL or withdrawing scholarships (ahem, Steve Spurrier) - because it can bite your recruiting.

Is Carroll the only one who thinks Sanchez is wrong?

I watched Mark Sanchez play about three games this year. Not enough to evaluate his NFL potential, but enough to think he's one of the top three quarterbacks in this year's draft.

After watching his coach, Pete Carroll, whine his way through the news conference and basically tell every NFL GM that taking Sanchez is a 50-50 proposition, I thought I'd see what some of the experts had to say.

Above is video of Mel Kiper saying Sanchez could be the No. 1 overall pick. Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer was on Colin Cowherd's The Herd today and he said he went back and watched every game Sanchez played in this year and he considers him the best QB prospect because of his footwork and quick release.

So maybe Coach Pete owes Mr. Sanchez an apology today.

Pete Carroll: Stop being such a jerk

With all of those Blue Chip, 5-Star recruits you would think USC's Pete Carroll would just wish Mark Sanchez the best of luck in the NFL and move on with Mitch Mustain or Aaron Corp or Garrett Green or incoming frosh Matt Barkley.

Instead, Carroll came off as a spoiled, no-it-all baby during Sanchez' press conference. Sure you'd love the guy back for another year. Say, how did that work out for Matt Leinart?

USC-Oregon State Live!

1:19 4th - that was quick. TD USC. 27-21. Big kickoff return and four passes from Sanchez and now SC has to onside kick. Oregon State recovers the onside kick. SC only has one TO left.

2:39 4th - TD Oregon State. It's 27-14 with 2:39 left. SC will need a minor miracle now. A quick TD and an onside kick. 186 yards for Jacquizz Rogers.

Side note: the eye black where the players get to write their own messages should be against the rules. Just cause I find them annoying.

2:43 4th - Sanchez overthows a WR and gets picked off. Returned all the way to the 2.

3:15 4th - Gotta love college football. Oregon State's punter is terrible. His last two punts have also been terrible. And both ahve somehow ended up inside the USC 5. Amazing, really.

4:01 4th - interesting strategy by USC to take its timeouts now instead of waiting until the last two minutes. third and 6 for the Beavers, and they run the ball. not a bad call. USC will get the ball back with about 3:30 to go.

4:48 4th - who in the FREAKING HELL is Jacquizz Rogers??? this kid's gotta have 170 yards rushing and he is the size of my ring finger. USC is taking timeouts. This is the part of the game that is greatly affected by the clock changes. the period from 5 minutes down to 2 minutes left. You can really take time off the clock now.

6:52 4th - Beavers waste a great drive with a blocked FG. Shockingly, I find myself agreeing with Craig James about running the fooball on third down. You take another minute off the clock with that and that RB has looked awfully slippery tonight.

12:51 4th - Oregon State finally holds. Gotta wonder if the Beavers can manage another score or if they're just going to have to hold on and run as much clock as possible.

2:56 3rd - and it's 21-14 as Sanchez hits Damian Williams for a TD. OSU has to take a shot downtown. SC is just going to continue to stack the box. It's not looking good for the Beavers though. SC seems to have found a little offensive rhythm.

7:21 3rd - Here comes SC. Sanchez hits a long TD pass after it appeared a penalty would push the Trojans out of range. Oregon State managed one first down, but had to punt. Big series coming up for the OSU defense.

Half - OSU 21, USC 0. Okay, I'm excited. But how in holy hades does USC run a direct snap to Joe McKnight on 3rd and 7? Poor play call. Nice call by Mike Riley to go ahead and go for the TD instead of settling for the FG right before the half. You've got #1 at home and you're up, you've GOT to be aggressive there. Sure, they got lucky. But, what the heck.
Actually, I should be angry, this game has now completely ruined my sleep plans.

7:38 2nd - I am STILL not getting excited, even though it's 14-0 Beavers. Great playcalling by OSU. This tiny, tiny RB of OSU is hard for USC's defense to even find much less to tackle. It looks like a bunch of giants chasing a jackrabbit. Looks like OSU's jet sweep motion is throwing off SC's defensive front. The Trojans look very tentative up front.

start of 2nd qtr: THIS is the somewhat shaky, inexperienced USC offense I was hoping to see two weeks ago in the Coliseum. Crap.

8:24 1st - I will not get excited about OSU's 7-0 lead.
I will not get excited about OSU's 7-0 lead.
I will not get excited about OSU's 7-0 lead.
I will not get excited about OSU's 7-0 lead.

(And forgive me if this isn't totally live. I gotta clean for a visit from my Dad.)