USC NOTEBOOK: HANCOCK HOPES TO BE READY IF NEEDED.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

USC fullback Brandon Hancock is redshirting this season after undergoing offseason surgery to repair torn knee ligaments. Or is he?

Even though he hasn't practiced or been cleared to return, Hancock said he wouldn't rule out playing this season if absolutely necessary.

``I bumped into coach (Pete) Carroll and he said he'd like to see me out there (practicing),'' Hancock said. ``I don't think they'd have me play unless they needed me. It might be an option.

``Personally I don't want to come back as late as it is in the season. But I think they want me to come back and practice. It could be enticing, though, once you get out there. Once we get more toward the bowl game, I would like to practice, to get ready for the spring.''

Hancock, who started last season, said doctors still haven't cleared him to practice although he is going through rehabilitation.

``My knee takes time to recover when I train hard,'' he said.

--Big Byrd: It's not because he weighs 268 pounds that tight end Dominique Byrd should be noticeable this weekend. He continues to enjoy a more prominent role offensively.

``Every play that gets run for me in practice I try to run perfectly because I want them to use it in a game,'' Byrd said. ``I'm not anxious but I'm really excited for this game.''

--On guard: Carroll is leery that Washington coach Keith Gilbertson will attempt trick plays on Saturday against the Trojans, including fake punts.

``We understand we have to be prepared for anything they do,'' Carroll said. ``And make sure we don't give up big plays.''

--Farr returns: Safety Greg Farr, who strained ligaments in his foot two weeks ago, could return for Saturday's game. He practiced Thursday and should be cleared today unless there is significant swelling today.

--Red Sox fan: Linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who grew up in Massachusetts, had plenty to say after the Boston Red Sox eliminated the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

``In New York, you can buy a championship but you can't buy heart,'' Tatupu said. ``After (the Red Sox) won Game 4, I said I wouldn't be surprised if they won four straight. We were just toying with them the first three games anyway.''

--Still sore: Carroll on former Washington coach Rick Neuheisel being cleared of wrongdoing for gambling in a college basketball pool: ``Good for Rick. Obviously he did better with the NCAA than we did.''

That was yet another reference to the Mike Williams case.

--Crowd count: USC expects nearly 75,000 to attend Saturday's game.