Joss has said numerous times that his originally intention was for Xander and Buffy to be a couple, but since Angel was popular he changed from being a throwaway character to love interest in season one. Recent statements from SMG says she thinks Bander was what Joss was planning all along from recent rumors over Bander in the comics.

I also heard they pitched a Bander is season four but Joss shot it down. Then again in season seven, but he again shot that down, because he wanted to keep the Spuffy. His reason for that was because Buffy has always wanted something that was 'unattainable', or so he explained.

Nothing against Buffy, here I am so obviously I love her. But.. after how Xander felt about her in the first three seasons and her utter lack of interest, I would hate to see him regress.

I actually did hear about this one!

i was well not aware of that! would it have been a love interest because shes the powerful girl and hes a weak boy!?

Yeah, because Joss wanted the geek to get the girl for once, even though Xander's had several girls.

I just threw up in my mouth a little bit... ok, a lot! siiick

It would never happen, Buffy would walk all over him even more tha she did Riley.

wow that would have been too harsh on willow in the first season!

Yeah, poor Willow.

I never knew that, i'm so glad they didn't, otherwise we wouldn't of had Bangel and Cander.

But, then he saw it was not such a good fit.