COLUMBUS: With most of the nonconference schedule out of the way (a game against Kent State remains), Ohio State begins its Big Ten season against Northwestern on Saturday.

The Buckeyes are well aware that they are meeting a pack of Wildcats that could very well be riled up, primarily because of a 20-14 loss Saturday to Duke a team that had been mired in a 22-game losing streak.

OSU is determined not to take Northwestern lightly.

''That's college football for you. Anyone can go out and beat someone at anytime,'' Buckeyes defensive lineman Todd Denlinger said Tuesday. ''We're not looking at Northwestern like they're a bad team. They have a lot of capability to come in our house and give us a challenge.''

The Wildcats possess skilled players on both sides of the ball. Quarterback C.J. Bacher had a career game Saturday, completing 30-of-50 for 368 yards and two touchdowns. Workhorse running back Tyrell Sutton, an Akron native and graduate of Archbishop Hoban High School, will return from injury to face the Buckeyes.

''Duke isn't a Big Ten'' team, OSU fullback and team captain Dionte Johnson said. ''We don't know why they (Northwestern ) lost emotionally, but we know once they come into the Big Ten, they're going to give us their very best.''

OSU coach Jim Tressel acknowledges that variances exist in playing teams in the conference as opposed to those outside it.

''I think there's a difference in familiarity. You've played against these guys. You remember Adam Kadela (Northwestern's outstanding linebacker) filling the hole and being as physical as can be, and you remember that from Northwestern and this from Northwestern and whoever in the league because you've played them year in and year out,'' he said. ''So our guys are more familiar with what the reality of this is . . . I think that does change the dynamics, and the understanding of the preparation that's going to be needed.''

Week's top guns

Akron native Chris Wells received the award for best offensive player for his 24-carry, 135-yard game against the University of Washington. Defensive back Donald Washington earned the defensive player award, and punter A.J. Trapasso received the special-teams honor. Linebacker James Laurinaitis won Co-Defensive Big Ten Player of the Week after having eight tackles, a sack and two interceptions.

Tale of the tape

After looking at film from Saturday's game, the coaching staff determined that linebacker Larry Grant, not defensive back Kurt Coleman, deserved the credit for blocking a Washington field-goal attempt.

The block gave the Buckeyes much needed momentum in the second half.

Buckeyes BOGO

It's a case of buy one, get one this spring. The OSU lacrosse team will play before the football spring game in April.