Here's the first team to qualify for a bowl game

Thomas O'Toole, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

Ohio University began the season with a win at Penn State. On Saturday, the Bobcats became the first major college football team to be bowl-eligible with an assist from Penn State.

Ohio U beat Buffalo 38-31 to go to 6-0 -- for the ninth time in school history -- and meet the minimum requirement for the Football Bowl Subdivision postseason. That game ended about 10 minutes after Penn State defeated Northwestern 39-28 in State College. No. 22 Northwestern, which entered the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll last week, drops to 5-1.

Both games began at noon.

It's probably not surprising Northwestern struggled on the road. Its 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.

Ohio U received 11 points in last week's coaches poll. The Bobcats play Akron for homecoming next week.

Other teams still have the chance to be bowl eligible on Saturday. At least one other 5-0 team is guaranteed to qualify, the winner of No. 5 Georgia at No. 6 South Carolina (7 p.m. ET). Oregon and LSU could also reach the six-win plateau.

Florida State needs seven wins because the Seminoles have beaten two Football Championship Subdivision teams. Alabama and Louisville are 5-0 but have byes this week.