One of Pete Carroll’s assassins wants you to know: USC-2008 is about defense.

“The only time the offense has success is if we mess up,” Taylor Mays said. “I don’t think anybody really impresses me on our offense, but the offense is going to be alright.”

“Everybody on our defense is a cover-story player.”

With a rough early schedule for the Trojans, it’s good to know that USC’s defense is up for the challenge of carrying this team — keeping them in games so the offense can have a few games to get things rolling.

USC’s Mays: Offense? We don’t need no stinkin’ offense! [ESPN]