It wasn’t pretty, but the Buckeyes are still No. 1.

Ohio State retained its place atop the college football world in the latest Coaches Poll. It wasn’t, however, without a little bit of late help.

The Buckeyes needed to get a defensive stand on Northern Illinois’ final drive to preserve a 20-13 victory at home. Urban Meyer also made a quarterback change after starter Cardale Jones threw a pair of first-half interceptions.

J.T. Barrett wasn’t much better. The Buckeyes’ only offensive touchdown of the game came on a 23-yard pass from Barrett to Michael Thomas at the end of the first half. Darron Lee’s pick-six was the Buckeyes only other touchdown on Saturday.

The defense kept the Buckeyes alive. For the second straight week, the likes of Lee, Vonn Bell and Gareon Conley fueled an Ohio State victory at home against a mid-major.

Ohio State had some Big Ten company atop the Coaches Poll. Michigan State moved up to No. 3 while Northwestern and Wisconsin climbed to No. 19 and No. 21 respectively.

Week 4 will bring the Broncos of Western Michigan to Columbus. WMU fell 37-24 to Michigan State in the season opener.