SC NOTEBOOK: EVEN KEEL SEEMS TO WORK.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

All year long, USC coach Pete Carroll stressed the importance of not making one game bigger than any other, and apparently he isn't kidding considering the low-key approach taken this week against seventh-ranked Notre Dame.

Although some traditionalists consider the Irish to be USC's most sacred and important rival, Carroll did little to emphasize the intersectional matchup. In fact, he referred to it as ``your father's rivalry'' in one meeting.

That's a far cry from former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, who used to give his players a written exam on the rivalry. But Carroll said he's seen his approach work for years.

``Both (former San Francisco 49ers coach) Bill Walsh and (former Minnesota Vikings coach) Bud Grant had that same feeling about it. They emphasized the preparation process,'' Carroll said. ``I've seen it enough to know that it works.''

With USC (9-2) ranked sixth in the nation, no one is about to question Carroll's philosophy.

``It's all about getting ready (to play),'' Carroll said. ``Not focusing on Notre Dame but getting ready.''

--Going for trifecta: USC's fourth-year seniors realize that they are 0-3 against Notre Dame, just like they were 0-3 against Oregon and 0-3 against Stanford before this season.

``I've never beat them,'' USC wide receiver Kareem Kelly said. ``This is an opportunity. It's been a long time coming, and it's going to feel good.''

--Katnik improves: Center Norm Katnik practiced Thursday and might start against Notre Dame, although center Derek Graf is ready to play.

``For the most part today, it felt good,'' Katnik said.

Carroll said he was pleased with the way Katnik practiced.

``He got some work in early. Everything should be on course for him to play,'' Carroll said. ``He's potentially ready to (start). If between the two of them, we could roll through the game, that would be good.''

--More visitors: Tight end Ryan Harris of St. Paul, Minn., and offensive lineman Alex Morrow of Rohnert Park in Northern California are visiting USC this weekend. They join quarterback Chris Leak of Charlotte, N.C., linebacker LaMarr Woodley of Saginaw, Mich., and cornerbacks Dareus Hiley and Donte Whitner of Cleveland, Ohio.

--Getting ready: Kelly said he looked forward to returning punts against the Irish, which he also did against UCLA.

``Yes, indeed, I will be back there,'' Kelly said.

--Pairing up: Some of USC's out-of-state players spent Thanksgiving with their teammates' families. Safety Mike Ross of Florida went with cornerback Justin Wyatt, and tight end Dominique Byrd of Minnesota went with tight end Alex Holmes.

--Start running: Reserve quarterback Billy Hart spent practice running because he was late for a special-teams meeting.

``My alarms didn't go off,'' Hart said.

--Job candidate: Former USC assistant Kirby Wilson is a candidate for the head-coaching position at Wyoming. Wilson left USC last year to become an assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

--Hotel additions: Walk-ons Alex Bottom and Justin Brown of Chatsworth were rewarded with a room at the team hotel tonight since the Trojans are allowed to take more players since Notre Dame is a nonconference opponent.

--Predicting the game: A computer simulation of the USC-Notre Dame game was performed by 989 Sports on its NCAA Gamebreaker 2003. USC won 31-21, as Carson Palmer passed for 275 yards. Wide receiver Mike Williams had seven catches for 112 yards.

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NORM KATNIK: Injured center practiced again Thursday and could start against Notre Dame.