Analysts Project Ohio State Buckeyes To Play In Orange Bowl vs. Louisville Cardinals

Despite their No. 1 ranking, the Ohio State Buckeyes still are not the favorites by most outlets to represent the Big Ten in the College Football Playoff entering Week 10.

Ohio State still controls its destiny in making the College Football Playoff. But do bowl season projectors feel the same?

Coming into Saturday's primetime matchup against Michigan State, the No. 1 Buckeyes are mostly projected to finish the season in the Orange Bowl against Louisville on Dec. 30. This likely would mean that projectors feel No. 3 Michigan would win on Nov. 25, thus securing the Big Ten East, and more than likely Big Ten conference title.

According to 247Sports' projections, Ohio State is expected to play in the CFP semifinal at the Rose Bowl against Florida State. Georgia, the two-time defending national champion, is projected to claim the top seed and take on No. 4 Texas in the Sugar Bowl.

ESPN's Kyle Bonagura projects Ohio State to face the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 29. Fellow ESPN writer Mark Schlabach has the Buckeyes facing Louisville as the ACC representative in the Orange Bowl.

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) throws the ball against Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Zaire Angoy (55) and defensive lineman Kyonte Hamilton (48) during the first half at SHI Stadium / © Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY

Both writers believe Michigan, Georgia, and Florida State will clinch spots in the CFP semifinal. Bonagura has Washington winning the Pac-12 and facing off against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Schlabach has Oregon running the table to take on the Wolverines in the Rose Bowl.

The Buckeyes (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) are coming off a rocky yet promising 35-16 road win over Rutgers. Kyle McCord tossed an interception in the second quarter, but responded with two touchdown passes to Marvin Harrison Jr.

McCord finished 19-of-26 for 189 yards and three touchdowns. TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown and finished with a team-high five catches for 80 yards.

Once again, Ohio State's defense has been its calling card under Jim Knowles. Despite allowing Rutgers to maneuver its way down the field early Saturday morning, the Buckeyes held its offense to three field goals. Saturday's win marks the ninth consecutive outing where the opposing offense has failed to score more than 17 points.

Kickoff from Ohio Stadium against the Spartans is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.