Among the best at being No. 1

There must be a few reasons why this marks Ohio State's 85th week at No. 1 in the Associated Press poll since voting began in 1936.

By the way, that's more time on top than every school but Notre Dame (89 weeks) and Oklahoma (86), and it's 53 more weeks than Michigan, which is supposed to be Ohio State's Big Ten equal.

So what's the secret to the Buckeyes' success, which includes a record 20 consecutive Big Ten wins going into today's visit by Illinois?

Perhaps it's the way Ohio State grows and harvests talent faster than it can be graduated.

When the Buckeyes (10-0) take the turf against the Illini (7-3), they will have just five offensive and five defensive starters who started last season's BCS title game.

There'll be just five other starters (not including kicking specialists) who even played in Florida's 41-14 bowl rout.

Just two OSU skill-position players -- running back Chris Wells, who rushed twice for 9 yards, and wide receiver Brian Hartline, who caught 1 pass for 13 yards -- touched the ball against the Gators.

And they are only 2 more victories from a second consecutive BCS title-game berth? That's sick.

(Also, just three of the 15 seniors being honored on Senior Day are listed No. 1 on the depth chart. But Ohio State's opponents can worry about those ramifications next season).

"Three years ago, my first year here, all of their defense went to the NFL and people thought they might not be as good last year," Illinois coach Ron Zook said. "Then, last year, they were just more athletic."

This season, they certainly haven't become less athletic or productive on defense. Heading into last year's Illinois game, Ohio State allowed 7 touchdowns in nine games. Heading into today's game, OSU has surrendered 7 touchdowns in 10 games.

And, if it's possible, the Buckeyes have become more explosive on offense.

Remember last year's wrecking crew? The one with Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith throwing to first-round NFL draft picks Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez and handing it to fourth-round pick Antonio Pittman? That unit averaged 384.5 yards and 34.6 points per game.

Now check out what junior QB Todd Boeckman, Wells, Hartline and junior wideout Brian Robiskie have achieved: A whopping 415.0 yards and 34.9 points per game.

If there's another difference between those teams, it could be in the mental stability department.

Earlier this week, Hartline offered a reason to explain last year's 17-10 squeaker win in Champaign.

"I think we just got lazy, to be honest," Hartline said. "Sometimes the Illinois name can get you. They were never a big powerhouse."

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel didn't exactly run from those comments, either.

"I haven't heard that said, but I would never refute Brian Hartline because that's one of the most competitive kids I've ever seen," Tressel said. "He's competing every second. That guy is always going full-speed."

But this Ohio State team doesn't seem likely to be lazy on Senior Day -- or get caught looking ahead to next week's trip to Michigan.

"Oh, no," Tressel said. "(The Illini) are at the tops of the Big Ten with a lot of ability. That, to me, creates focus because you know what you're up against."

Illinois (7-3, 4-2) at Ohio State (10-0, 6-0)

When: 2:30 p.m. at Ohio Stadium

TV: Channel 7 Radio: WIND 560-AM Series: Ohio St., 60-29-4

Coaches: Ron Zook (11-22, third year at Illinois; 34-26 overall); Jim Tressel (72-14, seventh year at Ohio State; 207-71-2 overall)

Players to watch: Two of the Big Ten's top three running backs battle to control the game's tempo. Illinois junior Rashard Mendenhall (1,314 yards, 14 TDs) needs 17 yards to break the single-season school record. Ohio State soph Chris "Beanie" Wells needs to go nearly a half-mile to break Eddie George's single-season record, but Wells (1,165 yards, 10 TDs) is special. … James Laurinaitis (85 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 INT) keys Ohio State's defense, while J Leman (102 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT) has seen his numbers drop as his Illini teammates continue to improve.

The skinny: Even if Illinois pulls off its first upset of a top-ranked team since 1956, Ohio State could probably still get in the BCS title game if it wins at Michigan next week. Illinois' offense won't want to attack the perimeter too much because of the Buckeyes' speed. Look for Juice Williams and Mendenhall to split as many as 40 carries as the Illini try to win on the ground. OSU will try to exploit the Illini secondary with QB Todd Boeckman (23 TDs, 8 INT) firing to WRs Brian Robiskie (44-833-10) and Brian Hartline (41-524-5). It'll take a plus-2 turnover margin for Illinois to take the Bucks into the fourth quarter. If that happens, then Illini sophomore cornerback Vontae Davis had a heck of a afternoon.

-- Lindsey Willhite