THE WEEK IN PREVIEW

Here are some things music industry weasels can look forward to weaseling about over the next few days:

•THE BATTLE AT TOP 40: It'll be a duel to the death as such all-important Top 40 adds as Christina Aguilera's "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" and Third Eye Blind's "Deep Inside Of You" challenge the already-challenged IQ's of Top 40 programmers nationwide.

•THE BATTLE ON THE ALBUM CHART: It's the debut week for Ruff Ryders, whose projected 225k+ first-week sales could actually be enough to topple Eminem from the album chart throne…then again, don't bet on it. Meanwhile, young Jessica Simpson ain't lookin' so innocent anymore as her album continues to explode—thanks to the single "I Think I'm In Love," which samples the John Mellencamp chestnut "Jack And Diane." How far will she go? Well, we know that answer, but the album (in the words of ESPN's Chris Berman) could…go…all…the…way! Also, check out last week's #2 debut, Nelly. It's hanging tough with solid second-week sales, thanks to lead track "Country Grammar."

•HITTING THE STREETS: New Everclear, "The Nutty Professor 2" soundtrack and Motley Crue should make the most noise on next week's chart.

•ALSO: More from Napster, the "new Arista" and the answer to the age-old musical question, "How many label executives does it take to screw in a light bulb?"