SURFING THE TUBE.

Byline: TOM HOFFARTH

TODAY

At last, the defending Super Bowl champs play in front of a Monday Night audience. So how's Trent Dilfer lookin'? NFL: Baltimore at Tennessee, Channel 7, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY

If it doesn't interrupt your viewing of the MJ Comeback Special - that's Michael Jackson, by the way - the Trojans start the real-deal basketball season with the Preseason NIT. Hoping it again leads to something better than the postseason NIT. College basketball: Wyoming at USC in Preseason NIT, ESPN, 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Remember when the Rangers' Eric Lindros used to play for the Flyers? Neither does he. NHL: Philadelphia at New York Rangers, ESPN, 5 p.m.

THURSDAY

Injuries have kept Stars stars Mike Modano and Pierre Turgeon out of the lineup lately, but Dallas will have a week off before this clash with the Kings. NHL: Dallas at Kings, Fox Sports Net, 7:30 p.m.; NBA: Lakers at Houston, Channel 9, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY

Vince Carter and Hakeem Olajuwon have been a pretty nifty one-two punch for the Raptors so far. As the Clippers will find out. NBA: Lakers at Phoenix, Channel 9, 6 p.m.; Toronto at Clippers, Fox Sports Net 2, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Pete Carroll gets his first whiff of the Trojans-Bruins rivalry. A USC victory probably secures a bowl bid and keeps the alumni happy. A UCLA loss makes the Trojan alumni even happier. College football: UCLA at USC, Fox Sports Net, 3:30 p.m.; Florida at Florida State, Channel 2, 5 p.m.

SUNDAY

The Clippers and Lakers stage a day-night doubleheader at Staples Center, and the Kings have a game in between. Too bad the hockey game's in Minnesota, or you'd see a real floor show. NBA: New York at Clippers, Fox Sports Net 2, 12:30 p.m.; Sacramento at Lakers, Fox Sports Net, 6:30 p.m.; NHL: Kings at Minnesota, Fox Sports Net, 3 p.m. NFL: San Diego at Oakland, Channel 2, 1 p.m.;

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

no caption (Pete Carroll)

Box: TV TODAY