AROUND THE NATION

South Carolina Coach Lou Holtz said he doesn’t understand all the fuss surrounding the Gamecocks’ first 2-0 start since 1996.

“I’ve been here two years, we’ve won two games, and we’re on our third set of goal posts,” Holtz said. “I would like to think we have a little more confidence in our program than that.”

After the 21-10 upset of Georgia on Saturday, South Carolina is flying high. But Holtz, as usual, is already focusing on this week’s game against Eastern Michigan (1-1).

“I’ve watched Eastern Michigan on film, and obviously I’m greatly concerned,” Holtz said. “And I say that with all sincerity and heart.”

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For No. 17 Ohio State, it’s a final tuneup before starting the Big Ten season a week later against Penn State.

For Miami (Ohio), it’s a game that only comes along once every 89 years or so. The RedHawks haven’t played the Buckeyes since 1911.

Miami will try to uphold the recent success of the Mid-American Conference. MAC members Toledo, Western Michigan and Ohio University have stolen the Big Ten’s thunder with victories over Penn State, Iowa and Minnesota, respectively, in the last two weeks.

“I hope we don’t let the league down,” Miami Coach Terry Hoeppner said. “Everybody else has been doing their part.”