Looking at Major League Baseball, Ohio voters prefer the Cleveland Indians to the Cincinnati Reds 51 - 34 percent. Turning to the National Football League, the Browns top the Bengals 55 - 30 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

But by a 58 - 28 percent margin, voters back the Ohio State Buckeyes over their favorite NFL team. By a smaller 42 - 38 percent margin, they support Buckeye basketball over the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Ohio is the Buckeye State and Ohio sports fans give their heart to the college team, unlike some states where college football isn't strong and professional sports are what matters," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"This may be due partially to the Buckeyes being more successful than the pro franchises, but the margin shows that it is more than just winning and losing."

Asked to name their favorite among the state's five professional sports teams:

• 24 percent name the Browns;
• 17 percent pick the Cavaliers;
• 15 percent each for the Indians and the Bengals;
• 14 percent root for the Reds.

For more details on the study, click here.