NO RETURN ENGAGEMENT CHOW BACK AT USC? NOT LIKELY.

Byline: Scott Wolf 

Among a large segment of USC fans, there remains a pipe dream that former offensive coordinator Norm Chow will return, especially if the Tennessee Titans make a coaching change this season.

But according to sources, Titans coach Jeff Fisher will probably decide where he is coaching next year, and be able to take Chow with him. Before taking the North Carolina job this week, sources said Butch Davis contacted the Dallas Cowboys because of a widespread assumption that Bill Parcells will not return next season.

But Davis was told that Fisher was the No. 1 candidate to replace Parcells, so Davis opted for North Carolina. That means Chow would have a chance to coach in Dallas next season. And while Chow might have been interested in the North Carolina job himself, he only needs to coach in the NFL three more years to qualify for a pension.

So it makes sense for him to stay in pro football. And that doesn't even consider the bad blood that existed between he and Pete Carroll when he left USC two years ago, and would likely preclude a return to LosAngeles.

To review, the idea of Chow being USC's offensive coordinator again is just wishful thinking, a popular pastime for Internet message boards.

As for North Carolina, the reason you didn't hear of any high-profile assistant coaches such as Chow applying for the job is because the Tar Heels made it clear they would only consider someone with head-coaching experience.

Maybe they learned their lesson after ignoring Carroll six years ago.

Big Game: If the Ohio State- Michigan came is close, could the loser still go the BCS title game because poll voters kept both teams at the top?

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, doing his best coachspeak, chose not to address the subject.

``I have got enough to worry about with this game,'' Carr said. ``And whatever comes after is part of the system and it will be what it will be.''

Meanwhile, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, who grew up in Ohio, tried to be diplomatic when asked how he viewed the rivalry as a child.

``I liked them both,'' Tressel said. ``But I just liked Ohio State better.''

The players could not contain their feelings about the game, however. The Heisman Trophy frontrunner, Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith, said, ``It is going to be complete pandemonium around the stadium. There is going to be mile-high excitement all around.''

Cal-USC analysis: Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, who has lost to both teams, on Saturday's matchup.

``USC's defense is the best we've played all year,'' he said. ``Cal's offense may be better. 'SC at the line of scrimmage is maybe a better football team, but Cal has some intangibles on special teams and on offense that USC will have to deal with.''

You got that right: After losing to lowly Stanford, Washington coach Ty Willingham was asked if it was a step back for the Huskies.

``You always get that question, `Is it a step back?' In this case, I have to say, yes it is,'' Willingham said.

Stanford won in Seattle for the first time since 1975 and more important, won its first game after nine losses this season.

``Oh my God, finally!'' Stanford defensive back Brandon Harrison said, as he left the field.

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CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 6 boxes

Photo:

(1) Anyone thinking of Norm Chow returning to USC should the Tennessee Titans fire Jeff Fisher can forget it; Fisher is expected to take Chow wherever he goes.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

(2) no caption (Bobby Petrino)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Box:

(1) THEY SAID IT

(2) THIS WEEKEND'S BEST BET

(3) THE RUMOR MILL

(4) BY THE NUMBERS

(5) DAILY NEWS/CBS 2/KCAL 9 SPORTS CENTRAL POWER

(6) THE LIST