The Ohio State Buckeyes are the No. 1 team in the country and, right on cue, their toughest challenge awaits them this weekend.

Following Alabama’s 35-21 loss at South Carolina on Saturday, Ohio State (6-0, 2-0) claimed the top spot in the latest polls released Sunday afternoon.

The Buckeyes received 34 out of a possible 60 first-place votes in the AP poll, and 49 of 59 first-place votes in the coaches’ poll.

OSU heads to Madison, Wis., for a battle with the No. 18 Badgers (5-1, 1-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“When you take a look at the Top 10 week to week, the precarious nature of any ranking is obvious,” coach Jim Tressel said. “Just review the change in the makeup of the Top 10 between the beginning of the season until now. The Buckeyes know what it’s like to have a target on our back, especially since we are now well into Big Ten play. We expect that every team will give us its best shot. How we respond will determine our ultimate ranking.”

Oregon, with 15 first-place votes, moved up to No. 2 in the AP poll, and Boise State captured the No. 3 ranking and eight first-place votes.

The Crimson Tide dug themselves into a 21-3 hole against the Gamecocks, one they couldn’t climb out of. Alabama closed to 28-21, but an unsuccessful fake field goal in the fourth quarter returned possession to South Carolina, who scored a game-sealing touchdown.

With the loss, the defending champions fell to No. 8. South Carolina moved up to No. 10.

It’s the first time the Buckeyes have been ranked No. 1 since before the 2008 BCS Championship game, when LSU knocked off OSU 38-24.

TCU claimed the No. 4 ranking, and Nebraska moved up to No. 5.

No. 6 Oklahoma earned a pair of first-place votes. Auburn, who escaped Kentucky with a 37-34 victory, moved up to No. 7.

LSU needed a touchdown in the closing seconds to knock off Florida and remain undefeated. The Tigers jumped up to No. 9.

Michigan State, the only other undefeated Big Ten team, moved up to No. 13 after its 34-17 win at Michigan.

“I love it for the Ohio State students and fans, but it’s a big responsibility and opportunity for us,” Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor said. “How we react to being No. 1, and how we stay determined in our focus and in our work habits, will tell us how long we will stay there.”