The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - The Ohio State Buckeyes say they are not going to permit the BCS rankings to be a distraction no matter what the poll voters and the computers decide.

"It's pretty simple," free safety Donnie Nickey said Tuesday. "We keep winning, we end up where we want to be."

Ranked No. 6 just two weeks ago in the complicated formula that determines the teams that will play for the national championship, the Buckeyes climbed to No.2 on Monday. Oklahoma is ranked No.1, and Miami is a close third.

With games remaining at Purdue (4-5) on Saturday and at Illinois (3-6) and at home against Michigan (7-2), the Buckeyes know what is in front of them.

"If we take care of our business, the BCS will take care of itself," center Alex Stepanovich said. "At this point, they could put us anywhere and it doesn't matter, because if you don't take care of your business in November, the rankings right now really won't mean a thing at the end of the year."

Ohio State (10-0, 5-0) trails Iowa (9-1, 6-0) in the Big Ten race and cannot afford a slip. The Hawkeyes play Northwestern on Saturday and at Minnesota (7-2) in their final two games.

As they have all season, the Buckeyes say they're paying no attention whatsoever to Iowa, Oklahoma or Miami - anyone except the next name on the schedule.

This week, that name is Purdue.

The Boilermakers (4-5, 2-3 Big Ten) have lost to Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan by a combined 22 points. All five losses were decided by a touchdown or less, including one in overtime.

OSU coach Jim Tressel called Purdue "a very interesting football team" because of its balance on offense and ability to play with every opponent.

Maybe because of that, he declined to elaborate on his team's feelings about the BCS rankings.

"Elaborate? I would say the best thing we should do is elaborate on Purdue and not elaborate on the BCS rankings," Tressel said.