DaytonDailyNews.com

There are many points to consider as the Buckeyes put their national-title aspirations on the line tonight at Penn State (8 p.m. ABC):

• What's the shelf life for a BCS championship game debacle? More than 10 months, apparently.

The No. 1 Buckeyes haven't been getting much love from the national media, most of whom will still consider them frauds if they beat the 24th-ranked Nittany Lions in one of the most uninviting venues in college football.

That 41-14 loss to Florida in January is just too hard to shake.

"Not only did that game change people's perspective of us, it changed people's perspective of the Big Ten," cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. "A lot of people don't really respect the Big Ten anymore. But when it's all said and done, we can only do what we have control over, and that's winning our games."

• OSU junior quarterback Todd Boeckman growled at his offensive linemen for some miscues that led to two defensive touchdowns against Michigan State last week, and he barked instructions again during a final clock-killing drive.

The Buckeyes briefly lost their composure in that 24-17 win, but they may have gained a leader.

• Penn State fans have been waiting for two years for senior QB Anthony Morelli to beat an opponent of note. He was booed briefly after returning home from back-to-back road losses, and fans will be short on tolerance if he fizzles in what figures to be his last chance to prevail in a big game.

• OSU can tie Michigan's record of 19 straight Big Ten victories, but that isn't nearly as important to the players as retaining their No. 1 ranking. Asked about the record, Jenkins said, "I wasn't even aware of it until now."

Tonight's game

Who: No. 1 Ohio State at

No. 24 Penn State (6-2)

When: 8 p.m.

TV: ABC (WKEF Ch. 22)

Radio: WING-AM (1410)

FYI: When ranked No. 1 in nation, Buckeyes have won 13 straight regular-season games and are 55-3-1 in regular season as No. 1 team since 1969.