ALL-AMERICAN MATCHUP JARRETT READY TO FACE CAL'S HUGHES.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF  Staff Writer

If there is one game USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett circled on the Trojans' schedule before the season, it was this Saturday's game against California, but it had nothing to do with the fact these are the two best teams in the Pacific-10 Conference.

Jarrett's interest in Cal stems from last spring, when he went to Arizona for the weekend as part of the Playboy All-America team. Another member of the team was Cal defensive back Daymeion Hughes and it did not take long for them to start talking.

``He and I were talking it up when we were in Arizona,'' Jarrett said Tuesday. ``It was fun talking. We were talking about the game a lot. It wasn't, `I'm going to kill you' or anything but we were going at it pretty good.''

Jarrett has told friends he really wants to play well against Hughes, which is rare because he doesn't usually mention opponents. He was talking about the Cal game even three weeks ago as one he really wanted to play well.

And it all stems from the Playboy retreat, which put a name with a uniform for Jarrett, and vice versa.

``I'm pretty sure they will try and put him on me,'' Jarrett said. ``He's a top corner and I'm one of the top receivers. And he made a lot of plays on Reggie (Bush) last year. I'm not taking him lightly.''

The Jarrett-Hughes matchup could be a key to Saturday's game at the Coliseum, where the winner goes to the Rose Bowl.

``He's covered everyone in the country so far and he's had a great season,'' USC coach Pete Carroll said of Hughes.

Hughes, a senior from Crenshaw High in Los Angeles, is tied for first nationally with eight interceptions, which is as many as USC's entire team.

He's also fourth in the nation with 18 passes defended and has made several midseason All-American teams. Hughes led the Bears against UCLA with 10 tackles, three deflected passes and an interception.

So it's likely Hughes will end up covering Jarrett, even though senior Steve Smith actually leads the Trojans in receptions (49) and yards (786).

A separated shoulder slowed Jarrett down this season, but he has still caught 42 passes for 507yards and six touchdowns.

``Dwayne Jarrett is a physical specimen,'' Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. ``As big as he is, he can run, get up, challenge for the football and make great catches.

``(Jarrett and Smith) are probably two of the best receivers, the best tandem, that we've played against. It's going to be a major challenge for our corners. (Hughes) has great instincts out there and made a lot of plays on the football.''

Jarrett said he thinks Hughes will try to eliminate giving up any long balls, so he's hoping the offense tries to confuse the Bears.

``They take a lot of deep stuff away,'' he said. ``We need to show them different looks.''

Maybe if Cal is smart, it will try to get Jarrett to pass instead. He tried an ill-advised pass on a trick play against Oregon and it was intercepted last weekend.

``It was kind of difficult to get that pass off,'' Jarrett said. ``I was supposed to have more time to see if there was double coverage. Coach (Carroll) told me next time to take the loss.''

The Jarrett-Hughes matchup could also be more significant because USC's running game is nursing several injuries.

Starting tailback Chauncey Washington did not practice (knee) Tuesday but said he will play. His knee remains sore, however, and he is still trying to get full range of motion.

Washington's backup, freshman Emmanuel Moody, is expected to be out three to four weeks after tearing a ligament in his ankle.

And in more bad news for USC, wide receiver Chris McFoy (shoulder) was not cleared by team doctors Tuesday night and will also miss the game.

Jarrett won't mind if it means more catches for him. And it gives him a chance to gain the upper hand in his rivalry with Hughes.

``We might talk afterwards,'' Jarrett said. ``It's going to be a challenge I look forward to. You look up and down the conference at great players and he stands out. He's a great player.''

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) USC's Dwayne Jarrett is eager to face Cal's Daymeion Hughes.

Box:

NO. 4 USC vs. NO. 17 CALIFORNIA