Originally published Monday, September 8, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Notebook | Ohio State prepares to face No. 1 USC

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel might never admit it, but the Buckeyes' lackluster victory over Ohio might make his job a little easier this...

By The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State coach Jim Tressel might never admit it, but the Buckeyes' lackluster victory over Ohio might make his job a little easier this week.

No doubt he will have his players' attention and they will be more eager to wipe away the memories of that ugly performance as they prepare for perhaps the nonconference game of the year at No. 1 USC on Saturday.

"I don't want to read too much into it because everyone has [bad games], but I have a tough time believing a lot of those other top teams in the country would've played like we played today," angry wide receiver Brian Hartline said after Ohio State's 26-14 victory.

Ohio, a 33 ½-point underdog, led 14-6 in the third quarter.

Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman said the team is ready to face the challenge.

"It's going to be huge. It's going to be the Trojans firing at us," he said. "There's going to be a lot of national attention. It's a statement game for us."

In this week's Associated Press media poll, Ohio State dropped from third to fifth.

The teams ahead of the Buckeyes in both the AP poll and USA Today coaches poll, in order, are USC, Georgia, Oklahoma and Florida.

Notes

• East Carolina appeared in the AP Top 25 for the first time in nine years — at No. 14. The Skip Holtz-coached Pirates beat Virginia Tech in their opener and downed then-No. 8 West Virginia 24-3 Saturday.

• The Pac-10 teams in the AP poll are USC, No. 15 Arizona State, No. 16 Oregon and No. 23 California.

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