No. 4 Ohio State accomplishes a big goal: Heading into stretch run with championships on line

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2013 file photo, Ohio State running back Jordan Hall (7) breaks away for a 41-yard gain against Penn State during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. With four games remaining, including Saturday's contest at Purdue, No. 4 Ohio State gears up for a race to the finish in the Big Ten and national championship races. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2013 file photo, Ohio State wide receiver Evan Spencer, (6) is tackled by Penn State cornerback Jordan Lucas during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. With four games remaining, including Saturday's contest at Purdue, No. 4 Ohio State gears up for a race to the finish in the Big Ten and national championship races. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File) (The Associated Press)

It may not have traced the line a lot of Ohio State fans or insiders had plotted before the season even got going.

Due to injuries and suspensions, it seems the cast of characters has changed each week.

Yet the fourth-ranked Buckeyes have arrived right where they had hoped, the start of the November stretch run with a perfect record and a world of possibilities.

Coach Urban Meyer says the stated goal isn't a particular trophy or title. The grand design is just for Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) to have a shot at winning titles.

That's certainly the case heading into Saturday's game at Purdue, and the three regular-season games that follow.