The Associated Press

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Ohio State understands how close it is to playing for a national title. The third-ranked Buckeyes just aren't discussing the possibility.

For Ohio State All-American safety Mike Doss, winning a Big Ten Conference championship is the immediate goal. He won't even say where he thinks the Buckeyes (10-0, 5-0 Big Ten) rank among the nation's elite teams.

"I just feel that we're pretty good in the Big Ten right now," Doss said. "We're undefeated and we're working hard, and we're just trying to get better. All that stuff doesn't matter until the final game."

There are three unbeaten teams atop the Bowl Championship Series standings - Oklahoma, Ohio State and Miami. The BCS will determine who plays in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan.3.

Ohio State is No.2 in the latest rankings - a jump from No.6 two weeks ago. Oklahoma is No.1 and Miami is third. One slip in the final three weeks could eliminate the Buckeyes from contention.

Plus, Ohio State still isn't assured of winning the Big Ten. If the Buckeyes lose and No.6 Iowa (9-1, 6-0) wins out, the Hawkeyes win the league title.

That's why Ohio State coach Jim Tressel hasn't talked to his team about the Fiesta Bowl. He wants them focused on beating Purdue (4-5, 2-3) today.

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

A victory would give the Buckeyes their fourth 11-0 start, joining the 1975, 1979 and 1995 teams. Immediate contributions from freshmen and sophomores have led Ohio State's turnaround from a 7-5 finish a year ago.

"This is one of the better football teams we've seen in the Big Ten since we've been in the Big Ten, if not the best," said Joe Tiller, who has coached at Purdue since 1997.

The Boilermakers, once nicknamed the "Spoilermakers" for upsets of Top 25 teams, have a seven-game losing streak against ranked teams.

The last time Purdue beat a ranked team was two years ago against No.12 Ohio State, when a 31-27 victory landed the Boilermakers their first Rose Bowl appearance in 34 years and knocked the Buckeyes out of the conference title picture.

Purdue hopes to do it again.

"We want to go out and get our name out and get attention," Boilermakers defensive tackle Kevin Nesfield said. "We want to show we're capable of competing and beating teams such as Ohio State."