Buckeyes still have hopes for Big Ten crown

If Ohio State wins its remaining three games it clinches a share of the title.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- There are no complex calculations or scenarios left. If Ohio State wins out, it wins at least a share of the Big Ten title, and the season will be salvaged.
"Our focus right now is just to keep winning," wide receiver Santonio Holmes said. "We came into the season wanting to win every game. Obviously, it didn't happen. Now we just have to worry about things in November. A lot of seasons that we've had here, our Novembers have been outstanding. We just have to finish out with no losses this year."
Hosts Illinois Saturday
No. 12 Ohio State (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) plays host to Illinois (2-6, 0-5) in the first game of a two-game homestand. After the Illini, the Buckeyes play Northwestern before closing the regular season at No. 22 Michigan.
The Buckeyes are in a virtual stalemate for first place in the conference with Wisconsin and Penn State, which meet Saturday.
Holmes, who had two touchdown catches in Saturday's 45-31 victory at Minnesota, said coach Jim Tressel stresses to the Buckeyes the importance of making big plays and avoiding hesitation during the stretch run.
"It's coach's philosophy. He speaks on it and he wants us to get out there and play as hard as we can for these last three games," Holmes said. "It's up to the guys to get out there and get the job done because we want to still win, we want to be able to go to a great [Bowl Championship Series] bowl game and get a share of the Big Ten title."
Two losses to date
The Buckeyes saw their hopes of winning a national championship damaged with a 25-22 loss to No. 2 Texas in their second game of the season. In their second game of the Big Ten season, they fell at No. 10 Penn State, 17-10.
A three-game winning streak has given them hopes of stamping themselves as one of the best teams in the country.
"Coming off that Penn State game, our second loss of the season, a lot of guys were down and saying the season is over. Well, the season is NOT over," strong safety Donte Whitner said.
"All things happen for a reason. Right now we control our own destiny. We can be Big Ten champs and that's what we want to be."
Illini struggling
Illinois has lost its last six games after a 2-0 start, including an overtime win over surprising Rutgers. The Illini are a 35-point underdog this weekend, but the Buckeyes are concentrating on perfecting their game instead of worrying about anything Illinois might throw at them.
"If you're going to be a complete team in November, it's really irrelevant who the competition is, because every snap might make the difference in your season," Tressel said Tuesday.
"Do I worry about it? Not really. Do you work on it? Absolutely. You start with yourself and make sure that everything you do is with the same passion and understanding as you enter November."