Voter fraud? Buckeyes trail Cincinnati

COLUMBUS (AP) — Unlike powerhouse programs such as Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Southern California and Michigan, Ohio State football has had no peers within its borders.

The Buckeyes haven’t lost to an in-state rival in 88 years. Even though Ohio has eight Football Bowl Subdivision teams, there’s no question who the top dog is in interest, attendance or talent.

But Ohio State’s lofty perch on its scarlet and gray pedestal was shaken this week when the Associated Press Top 25 came out. Right there, in black and white, was Ohio State at No. 9 — and Cincinnati at No. 8.

On the Big East coaches call on Monday, UC coach Brian Kelly made light of the question of who would win a Battle for the Buckeye State.

“You settle these questions on the field. They’re all hypothetical, so who knows?” he said. “Ohio State doesn’t play Cincinnati, though my son played [them] in PlayStation the other day, and Cincinnati won 91-0. So maybe we can use that.”

Almost immediately after the poll came out, radio talk shows in Columbus were flooded with outraged fans. On Twitter, blogs and Web sites, proud Ohio Staters called the rankings a travesty. They pointed out that the Buckeyes have met the Bearcats on the field three times this decade and have won all three by an average score of 29-11.

True to form, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel sidestepped the debate.

“Well, it reminds you that there’s good players in Ohio,” he said Tuesday of UC’s ascension above his team. “Outside of our conference, [the Bearcats] are probably our next favorite group.”

Cincinnati is ranked ahead of the Buckeyes for the first time in 58 years. The Bearcats were No. 20 and Ohio State unranked on Nov. 21, 1951.

“That’s just college football,” Ohio State defensive lineman Todd Denlinger said. “I don’t know how these things are voted upon or how it’s all looked at, but if we just keep getting better I think by the end of the year we’ll be where we want to be.”

The Bearcats are idle this week, while the Buckeyes are preparing for a showdown at home Saturday against unbeaten Wisconsin.

The margin between the teams in this week’s AP poll was a measly 10 points. The media poll has no bearing on the Bowl Championship Series and who the teams might meet in bowl games. The coaches and Harris polls each have Cincinnati behind the Buckeyes.

The teams don’t play again until 2012, then 2014, both in Columbus.

“By that time, hopefully we can continue to accelerate our program so Ohio State has something to gain by playing us,” Kelly said. “In years past, it’s been such that Ohio State has everything to lose; they’re supposed to beat Cincinnati. If we continue to win, continue to play at a high level, it makes for an exciting matchup.”