COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Nine games and as many wins into his first season at Ohio State, Urban Meyer believes he might have something special going.

His sixth-ranked Buckeyes have won close games and routs, relied on their defense and on quarterback Braxton Miller, and have had no-names make big plays. Through it all, despite being within a whisper of losing, they've persevered.

The best reason, according to Meyer, is that they've come together, played as a team and the seniors and coaches have refused to let them slip.

After a game this week against struggling Illinois, the Buckeyes have a bye week, then a big road test at Wisconsin and the annual season-ending showdown with rival Michigan.

Despite a bowl ban, there's a lot left to accomplish.