BOWL-STARVED TROJANS NEED WIN OVER HUSKIES.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

When he takes the Coliseum field today, linebacker Chris Claiborne won't be thinking about USC's missed opportunities or bowl possibilities.

He'll be happy enough to finally face a Washington team that doesn't enjoy the vast physical edge that has helped the Huskies win the past two meetings.

``For the first time since I've seen Washington they don't have a huge running back and five huge linemen,'' Claiborne said. ``I won't have to wear a tailpad.''

The Huskies no longer have a Corey Dillon or Rashaan Shehee in the backfield, and their top two linemen from last season - Benji Olson and Olin Kreutz - left early for the NFL.

But will that necessarily mean the Trojans can snap out of their mini-funk, which has seen them drop two of their past three games?

``We've got a whole lot of season left,'' wide receiver Billy Miller said.

``The seniors haven't beaten Washington. That's motivation for me.''

It just might be a narrow goal - like finally beating the Huskies - that helps USC (5-3, 3-2) bounce back from its emotional 17-13 loss to 12th-ranked Oregon.

The Trojans need to win two of their final four games to become eligible for a bowl, so today's encounter with the Huskies figures to be crucial. If USC loses, it would have to beat Stanford next week and either UCLA or Notre Dame at the conclusion of the season.

As formidable as that sounds, USC coach Paul Hackett was still talking about the Rose Bowl this week, even though the Trojans are in fifth place in the Pacific-10 Conference.

``I don't think we're totally out of the woods. It's a reach right now,'' Hackett said. ``It would take some people helping us. But I'm never going to come off that goal, this year, next year or any year. It's not over until it's over.''

It's highly unlikely the players actually believe that. Many of them are tired of staying home the past two bowl seasons, and dread the thought of another December watching bowl games on TV. They'll be happy to go to any bowl, now that Rose Bowl aspirations have virtually disappeared.

``People are sick of staying home,'' quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst said. ``The last two years, everyone goes home and goes their separate ways. It was tough last year watching other people play.''

Ironically, Washington (5-2, 3-1) finds itself in a nearly identical position. The Huskies barely beat Oregon State last week, and now have a three-game stretch with USC, Oregon and UCLA.

``We're still trying to find our personality with young players and kind of mixing chemistry on both sides of the football,'' Washington coach Jim Lambright said.

Especially in the backfield. The Huskies' running game has been nonexistent; reserve quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo is the leading rusher, with just 277 yards. Freshman tailback Willie Hurst is the next-leading rusher, with 212 yards and a paltry 2.5 yards per carry.

``It can't get worse,'' Lambright said. ``This game is typical. We've got a couple freshmen, Willie Hurst and Braxton Cleman, who are going to carry the load.''

There's been much talk in Seattle about Tuiasosopo, who lined up at tailback for a few plays last week, moving full-time to running back. But the position switch was more of a smokescreen than anything else, designed to keep the opposing defense off-balance.

As for the Trojans, they need to find a way to revive their struggling offense. It just might mean more passing today, as a way to keep Washington's blitzing defense from becoming too free-wheeling.

``That's the only way you can stop it. To throw quick stuff,'' freshman quarterback Carson Palmer said.

Hackett will start Van Raaphorst, and said he doesn't want to try and place too much pressure on Palmer, especially after he played well against Oregon.

``What I don't want is to have a disaster. We've worked too hard for success,'' Hackett said.

Notes: A crowd of 60,000 is expected for USC's homecoming. . . . USC is hopeful defensive tackle Aaron Williams (neck stinger) will be available. Shamsud-Din Abdul-Shaheed will start in place of Williams.

USC (5-3, 3-2) vs. WASHINGTON (5-2, 3-1)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. at the Coliseum (capacity: 68,000)

TV/Radio: Channel 7; XTRA-AM (690), KCTD-AM (1540).

Series: USC leads 41-25-4 but has won just two of the past eight meetings. The Huskies won 27-0 last year in Seattle and 21-10 two years ago at the Coliseum.

Injury update: USC linebacker Mark Cusano (sore thigh) will play. Defensive tackle Aaron Williams (neck) is available. Washington tailback Jason Harris (neck) and free safety Brendan Jones (neck) are questionable. Wide receiver Ja'Warren Hooker (shoulder) is probable. Cornerback Jermaine Smith (knee) is doubtful.

Keep an eye on: USC wide receiver Mike Bastianelli: Although his role has been diminished this season, he could re-emerge today, particularly if the Trojans try to open up the offense. . . . USC kicker Adam Abrams: After missing 3 of 5 field goals last weekend, the senior will need to prove he's regained his confidence. . . . USC quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst. Another player who might be questioning his confidence. Does he need a quick start to avoid a quick hook in favor of Carson Palmer?

Washington update: The Huskies haven't been the same since a 55-7 thrashing last month in Nebraska. They averted disaster last weekend in a 35-34 victory over Oregon State but still have a lot of question marks. At least quarterback Brock Huard is healthy again, after missing two games with a partially separated left shoulder. He passed for 260 yards in his return against the Beavers. Former Dominguez High School tailback Willie Hurst, a teammate of USC's Jason Thomas, is expected to start as the Huskies try to revive their anemic rushing attack.

-Scott Wolf

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: ``I don't think we're totally out of the woods. It's a reach right now. It would take some people helping us. But I'm never going to come off that goal, this year, next year or any year. It's not over until it's over.''

- USC head coach Paul Hackett

on the Trojans' chances of making the Rose Bowl

Box: USC (5-3, 3-2) vs. WASHINGTON (5-2, 3-1) (See Text)