DALLAS LOOKING AHEAD : COWBOYS HOPE OMENS WRONG.

Byline: Denne H. Freeman Associated Press 

Bad omens for 1996 keep haunting the Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys. Their coach got lost going to Tuesday's 13th annual kickoff luncheon.

``I turned south and should have gone north,'' coach Barry Switzer said sheepishly.

It's been that kind of exhibition season for the Cowboys, who must somehow overcome injuries, suspensions and a rigorous training camp that included five games and three scrimmages in two countries and two states.

``We're finally over our Jerryworld adventure,'' Switzer said. ``We get to play the games that count now, not just for the owners of the NFL. Training camp in Austin is finally behind us. We got to see Mexico twice. We played in Monterrey and got to see Juarez from a bus.''

As Switzer spoke, owner Jerry Jones just smiled. Besides the usual four exhibition games, the Cowboys played Kansas City in Monterrey, Mexico, and played Houston in a scrimmage in El Paso before 52,000 fans, then played in a finale against the Oilers in Orlando, Fla.

``I still believe we are the team to beat,'' Switzer said. ``The season is like running a marathon. Nobody cares who leads after six or seven games. It's where you are at the end that matters. I believe we will be in New Orleans in January.''

Then Switzer quipped: ``I will be at the Super Bowl. I just hope the team will be there with me.''

Emcee Dale Hansen said Switzer was on dangerous ground criticizing the club's busy training camp orchestrated by Jones.

``The last coach who made fun of the training camp in Austin ended up in Miami,'' Hansen said, referring to Jimmy Johnson.

Jones refused to ``guarantee'' a Super Bowl win as he did last year.

``I don't know what's going to happen when the bell tolls in November and December,'' Jones said. ``But I have confidence. We have a lot of the same players back who clinched the deal last December. We have the opportunity to do something no team has ever done and that's win four Super Bowls in five years.''

The Cowboys introduced their 1995 highlight film, which - besides showing a cheering Jones on the sidelines five different times - focused on some incredible catches made by Michael Irvin, who won't be available for the first five games because of his NFL suspension.

``This team is not as talented as it was a year ago,'' Switzer said. ``We may be playing two seasons this year. A five-game season without Irvin and another season with him. We'll be a much better team when Mike gets back.''

Running back Emmitt Smith, trying to overcome a sprained left knee ligament, walked to the podium without a limp to accept the Cowboys ``Man of the Year Award.''

Smith is expected to play Monday night in the Cowboys' regular-season opener against Chicago.

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Photo: (color) Switzer