The Ohio State Buckeyes are in a great spot to make the College Football Playoff once again. Ohio State controls its own destiny with a 6-1 record heading into a Week 9 road game against the USC Trojans, and if the Buckeyes can keep winning without QB Julian Sayin, they’ll be in the field.

Going into Saturday’s game, Ohio State has an 86 percent chance to make the College Football Playoff, according to A to Z Sports’ College Football Playoff predictor. That number jumps to 96 percent if the Buckeyes beat USC on the road.

Ohio State can still lose another game and make the CFP. At that point, though, the Buckeyes would start to need some help from the outside. Controlling your own destiny and winning games is the goal. However, Ohio State is moving on without Sayin as its starting quarterback, and there’s a chance true freshman Luke Fahey is the guy the rest of the way. That could come with some growing pains late in the season.

Washington beating Nebraska would help Ohio State

The first game Buckeyes fans should be watching this week is Washington at Nebraska. A Huskies win would increase Ohio State’s CFP odds by 2 percent on the predictor.

Washington has a tough task on the road in this one. Huskies QB Demond Williams is questionable to play against Nebraska, and Washington has been a bit disappointing with a 4-3 record. The Huskies go into the matchup as roughly a touchdown underdog against the 5-2 Cornhuskers that really impressed me with their showing against Indiana a few weeks ago where they kept it close throughout.

This is also a Big Ten night game, just like Ohio State’s matchup with USC on Saturday. 

Rutgers pulling an upset over Michigan is the long shot

The other game on the rooting guide is Rutgers knocking off Michigan. A Scarlet Knights upset would increase Ohio State’s odds to make the College Football Playoff by another 1 percent.

This is the less likely of the two outcomes, as the Wolverines are more than two-touchdown favorites on the road in New Jersey against Rutgers. Michigan is now going with Tommy Carr at quarterback over Bryce Underwood, and the Wolverines took Indiana to overtime last week.

Still, a loss for Michigan would be welcome news in Columbus. Buckeye fans won’t need much convincing to pull for the Scarlet Knights on this one.

Beating USC is the biggest step for the Buckeyes

All focus for the Buckeyes themselves will be on beating USC in Week 9. A win over the Trojans is the biggest move Ohio State can make toward the College Football Playoff this week, and it would push the team’s odds into the mid-90s on the predictor.

All eyes will also be on whoever Ohio State coach Ryan Day decides to send out behind center. Fahey is the likely option, while sophomore QB Tavien St. Clair is the less likely choice to get the start.

How the quarterback position holds up against USC is going to be key for Ohio State’s playoff push. The outside help is nice, but the Buckeyes can take care of business on their own.