Alabama's loss to South Carolina cleared the path for OSU's bump to No. 1. Buckeyes have not played any teams now in Top 25. Besides Wisconsin, No. 15 Iowa remains on the OSU slate.
Ohio State's Brandon Saine catches a pass from Terrelle Pryor and heads upfield to complete a 60-yard touchdown during the Buckeyes' 38-10 win over Indiana.Cleveland, Ohio -- Six-and-zero, 35-21 and 38-10 means No. 1 for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are 6-0 and the nation's new No. 1 team, as reported by The Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises.
Defending national champion Alabama had been ranked first, but opened the door for OSU's entry into the top spot when it lost, 35-21, on Saturday at South Carolina. Ohio State had positioned itself for such a move from No. 2 to No. 1 by routing Indiana, 38-10, at Ohio Stadium earlier in the day.
The Columbus Dispatch reports Buckeyes' reactions to the No. 1 ranking, including from coach Jim Tressel and several players, such as linebacker Ross Homan and quarterback Terrelle Pryor:
LB Ross Homan: "It's a good feeling to be No. 1, but it really doesn't change how we work. We still have to work hard every day and try to get better. We've just got a bigger target on us now."
QB Terrelle Pryor: "I love it for the Ohio State students and fans, but it's a big responsibility and opportunity for us. How we react to being No. 1, and how we stay determined in our focus and in our work habits, will tell us how long we will stay there."
The Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises also reports on the Buckeyes' reactions to the No. 1 news.
Ohio State plays at No. 18 Wisconsin (5-1) on Saturday night. Some observers say the game is just the second challenging one on the Buckeyes' schedule. OSU topped now-unranked Miami (Fla.), 36-24, at home in a much-hyped Game 2 for the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes' other remaining game against a ranked team is on Nov. 20 at No. 15 Iowa.
Buckeyes watch
Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Ohio State coverage also includes Doug Lesmerises' report on the possibility of several teams, including OSU and Big Ten foe Michigan State, going undefeated, along with his Weekly Wolverine Watch; his Ohio State Insider; his game story on the win over Indiana; his Buckeyes Leaves; Ohio State report card; his On the clock; Jodie Valade's Best and Worst from the game, including coach Jim Tressel's 100th win at Ohio State; her story about freshman defensive back Christian Bryant; Bud Shaw's column on the Ohio State-Indiana game; Doug Lesmerises' video of Jim Tressel discussing his 100th Ohio State win.
Tressel flexible
Bob Hunter writes a column about Tressel for the Columbus Dispatch.
It says a lot about why Tressel has been so successful. Although most would probably describe his offensive philosophy as conservative, he has shown a willingness to adapt to what he has. Last season, when Pryor was struggling with turnovers and a partly torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Tressel grounded the offense. Pryor threw only 17 passes in each of the team's last three regular-season games - all victories. Then, in the Rose Bowl, Tressel surprised Oregon with a pass-happy attack led by a healthy Pryor. The maturing sophomore completed 23 of 37 for 266 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 1, be careful
Rusty Miller of the Associated Press writes about the Buckeyes' history in the polls. In this report, carried by the Dayton Daily News, Miller writes:
The Buckeyes have a lot of experience being No. 1. It's just that not all of those are experiences are positive ones.
A lot of fans were fed up seeing No. 1-ranked Ohio State teams in the national title games after the 2006 and 2007 seasons — and getting humiliated both times.
Being ranked high is nothing new at Ohio State. The Buckeyes have finished in the AP's top 10 every year since 2005 and seven of the last eight seasons. They have been made 91 consecutive appearances in the AP Top 25, the longest current streak in the nation.
Goal line stands
Adam Rittenberg writes for ESPN.com about how it's a shame that Ohio State and Michigan State, both undefeated, don't play each other this season.
Jim Tressel wins a lot, and does so with class, writes Bill Tilton for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.
Ranking Ohio State No. 1 was the easy way out for voters, comments Dennis Dodd for CBSSports.com.
Commentary on the Ohio State-Indiana game by Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Game story on the Buckeyes' win over Indiana by John Kampf for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.
The Heisman Trophy Watch, and where Terrelle Pryor stands in its chase, by Dari Nowkhah for ESPN.com.
Ohio State notes by John Kampf for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.