DaytonDailyNews.com

The Big Ten lacks a championship game. The Penn State-Ohio State game, however, probably will end up deciding who wins the title.

"It's either ours or Penn State's world and we'll find out next week," Buckeyes guard Jim Cordle said. "We like our chances."

Ohio State dismantled Michigan State on the road Saturday, Oct. 18, starting with four unanswered touchdowns and going on to win 45-7.

"I don't know what the nation is going to think, but we made a statement for ourselves," receiver Brian Robiskie said. "As big of a game as this was and to do what we did, it definitely helps your confidence."

The victory kept the Buckeyes (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) atop the conference standings along with the undefeated Nittany Lions, who are coming off a 46-17 win at home against Michigan.

Ohio State was ranked No. 10 Sunday in The Associated Press poll, trailing No. 3 Penn State. Michigan State fell out of the Top 25 after being No. 20 last week.

The stakes alone will be big enough for Saturday night's game at Ohio Stadium.

But another story line that will likely be rehashed: Freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor chose to be a Buckeye after Penn State made a late push to keep him closer to his home in Jeannette, Pa.

Does Pryor expect to hear much about his decision from people back home this week?

"I'm in Ohio now, he said. "I'm not at Penn State. I'm not in Pennsylvania. I'm here to make not Penn State happy, but Ohio State happy."

Pryor made many Buckeye fans happy at Spartan Stadium, where he completed all of his passes in the first quarter, ran for 62 yards and scored twice.

"When Terrelle is clicking, he can do a little bit of everything," said Robiskie, who caught Pryor's touchdown pass. "He's scary in the open field."