ANOTHER FRESH START : USC MIGHT SHOW OFF YOUTH.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

The official USC football schedule lists three bye weeks for the Trojans this season, but a cynic could argue that a fourth has just been added.

Oregon State has a way of bringing out these comments when it pops up on the schedule.

But just two games into the season, this USC team can scarcely afford to take any opponent lightly, with the scars from the season opener against Penn State so fresh.

And with an extremely young team - nine true freshmen played in last week's blowout over Illinois - USC coach John Robinson has constantly preached that the Trojans can only worry their own improvement.

``In some ways I wish the Illinois score wasn't what it was, that it was a harder game,'' Robinson said. ``We have a very young team, young people who need to learn how to do their jobs. We just need to do our jobs and not let our young people see the light of day.''

The youngsters - notably right guard Travis Claridge, linebacker Chris Claiborne and wide receiver R. Jay Soward - make their home debuts this afternoon at 3:30 when USC hosts Oregon State at the Coliseum.

This game is viewed as another small step in their development, as USC begins a three-game stretch against opponents (Oregon State, Houston, California) that have struggled in recent seasons, which should provide ample playing opportunities for the freshmen.

As for the rest of the team, motivation remains a factor.

In the back of the Trojans' minds has to be a string of facts, starting with the Beavers' unexpected season-opening 35-14 loss to Montana, a Division I-AA school.

That setback, coupled with Oregon State's traditional futility against USC, might make motivation a problem.

The staggering Beavers (0-1) have not defeated USC in Los Angeles since 1960, not beaten the Trojans anywhere since 1967 and have dropped 22 straight contests in the series.

But USC (1-1) is trying to remain on edge, even after its 55-3 blowout over Illinois.

``I don't think anyone should get overconfident,'' cornerback Daylon McCutcheon said. ``After Penn State, we have something to prove every week. I don't have any problem getting excited for this week.''

There is nothing to suggest that USC is looking past Oregon State, and the defense in particular is on high alert. While watching Oregon State-Montana game films this week, they were shown at least 15 different examples of offensive linemen employing chop-block techniques.

``They have a good defense and a very dirty-playing offensive line,'' defensive tackle Darrell Russell said.

Other than that side battle, the question persists if Oregon State is capable of giving USC a competitive game.

The Beavers can point to the past two years, when the games were played in Corvallis, Ore. USC won 27-19 and 28-10, and neither were particularly smooth contests.

Oregon State's defense, despite losing coordinator Rocky Long to UCLA, remains scrappy and is led by honorable mention All-Pac-10 cornerback Marc Williams. And the offense, which is finally discovering the forward pass, has tried joining the late 20th century.

Quarterback Tim Alexander, one of the top prep quarterbacks in the country three years ago, is supposed to reach his potential this season running the option offense out of a more-traditional I formation.

Tailback Akili King, a talented transfer from Army, only lifted expectations for the offense.

Then came the Montana game.

``I wish I could forget what happened, happened,'' Oregon State coach Jerry Pettibone said. ``We got outplayed. We did not play close to our potential.

``We were very uncharacteristic in terms of penalties and the nervous things that happen at the beginning of the game. It then carried over a lot further than it should have. That had a real impact.''

Whether it was a one-game fluke or a sign of real disaster should be better known today. No one expects a miracle, though, since the Beavers are in the midst of an 11-game losing streak and Pettibone's job security has started to become an issue.

Robinson, for his part, has talked little about Oregon State and instead focused on the Trojans.

``This team will be one of the good ones around in time,'' Robinson said. ``It's just got miles and miles of work ahead of it. If we become overconfident in this game, then we're also stupid.''

It may not matter against Oregon State.

Notes: USC is in the process of submitting the proper documents to the NCAA for running back Shawn Walters to officially regain his eligibility for next week's game against Houston. According to Carrie Doyle, NCAA director of eligibility, Walters has to submit receipts that he has repaid money he improperly accepted from a sports agent. Once the receipts are received, the NCAA will officially close Walters' case. . . . A crowd of 50,000 is expected today.

OREGON STATE (0-1) AT USC (1-1)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. at the Coliseum (capacity: 68,000)

TV/Radio: Prime Sports, KLSX-FM (97.1).

Series: USC leads 49-7-4. The Trojans have won 22 straight over the Beavers, Oregon State's longest losing streak against a Pacific-10 Conference opponent. The Beavers last won in 1967. USC has outscored Oregon State 416-95 in past 10 meetings and has not lost at the Coliseum to the Beavers since 1960. USC won in Corvallis last year 28-10 to clinch a Rose Bowl berth.

Injury update: Fullback Ted Iacenda (bruised shoulder) is doubtful. Running backs Delon Washington and Shawn Walters remain suspended. Defensive end Aaron Williams (sore ankle) is doubtful. Oregon State wide receiver Sylvester Green (fractured right wrist) is out.

Players to watch: USC wide receiver Chris Miller. He has become USC's top deep threat and most dangerous offensive player with 238 yards receiver (No. 1 in Pac-10). . . . USC outside linebacker Mark Cusano. The sophomore's speed will keep him in for nearly every play against the Beavers' option offense and he had his best game against Oregon State last year. . . . The USC offensive line. The Trojans outweigh the Beavers' defensive line by 50 pounds.

Keys for USC: The Trojans must avoid complacency against a less-than-impressive opponent. . . . The defensive line needs to demonstrate its domination against Illinois last Saturday can become a weekly occurrence against a ground-oriented team. . . . Tailbacks LaVale Woods and Rodney Sermons have to show they are doing more than filling in for Washington and Walters. . . . The kicking game must become more consistent.

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Box: OREGON STATE (0-1) AT USC (1-1) (see text)