SOUTH BEND -- If there are any questions about how Notre Dame will respond for Saturday's home game against Boston College after a narrow loss to USC last weekend, they don't exist in Charlie Weis' mind.

"How can you be flat when you're playing a team that's beat you six times in a row," the Notre Dame football coach said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. "That'd be tough to do."

Kickoff is set for 3:42 p.m. and the game will air on NBC. The all-time series between the two schools is tied at nine-each, although Boston College has won the last six in the series, including two straight and three of the last four at Notre Dame.

Weis said receiver Robby Parris, who caught a career-high nine passes against USC, could play Saturday. Parris has been upgraded from out to doubtful after undergoing X-rays Monday on his ankle, knee and hip, all of which came back negative.

"It came out remarkably well," said Weis, who added that Parris will not practice Tuesday or Wednesday.

Weis also said that Barry Gallup and Theo Riddick would return as the primary kickoff returners this week after being replaced in the second half of the USC game by Armando Allen and Golden Tate.

Weis said that he will audition some of his backups in the secondary, particularly at safety, where Kyle McCarthy and Harrison Smith have started all year. Sergio Brown, who plays in nickel situations, will get a look, and cornerback Jamoris Slaughter will also see some practice time at safety.

Notre Dame is on academic break this week, and Weis said the players have been able to spend more time on football and grab some extra rest.

"It's actually been a good thing for these guys," Weis said.