Northwestern, Ohio could be first teams bowl eligible

Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

In major college football, the number six means more than just points for a touchdown. It represents the magic number of wins for bowl eligibility.

Several teams have the opportunity to reach that mark this weekend, but some cats with early kickoffs could get there first.

The Wildcats of Northwestern, who made their season debut this week in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll at No.22, play at Penn State at noon ET.

When told his team had a chance to be first to become bowl-eligible, Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said he hadn't considered it, "But it has a nice ring to it."

Northwestern's first three victories were by 10 points or fewer, beginning with a one-pointer against Syracuse. Even last week's 44-29 win against Indiana in the Big Ten opener was a bit of a struggle after the Wildcats jumped to a 27-0 lead.

"Our focus is on improvement," Fitzgerald said. "We have not put together four quarters of three-phase football. We've got a long way to go. We're still a young team."

Also starting at noon ET with a chance to be first to bowl eligibility are the Bobcats of Ohio, whose season coincidentally began with a win at Penn State. They host Buffalo on Saturday, and coach Frank Solich knows it won't be an easy victory.

"They're a tremendously physical football team," he said. "I think their coaching staff, like our coaching staff, really tries to coach that into the game."

At least one other 5-0 team is guaranteed to qualify for the postseason Saturday, namely the winner of No. 5 Georgia at No. 6 South Carolina.

Oregon and LSU could also reach the six-win plateau. Florida State could as well, but the Seminoles need seven wins because they have beaten Championship Subdivision teams. Alabama and Louisville are 5-0 but have byes this week.