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College Football: 10 best under-the-radar games in 2016

By Michael Collins

Nov 14, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls fans celebrate on the field after beating the Temple Owls at Raymond James Stadium. South Florida Bulls won 44-23. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls fans celebrate on the field after beating the Temple Owls at Raymond James Stadium. South Florida Bulls won 44-23. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Mac commissioner Jon Steinbrecher prepares to award trophies to the Bowling Green Falcons for winning the MAC Championship against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Ford Field. Bowling Green won 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Mac commissioner Jon Steinbrecher prepares to award trophies to the Bowling Green Falcons for winning the MAC Championship against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Ford Field. Bowling Green won 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Game Date: Tuesday Nov. 1, 2016
Venue: Huskie Stadium, DeKalb, Il.
Series Record: Bowling Green leads, 12-8
Last Meeting: Dec. 4, 2015 MAC Championship Game (Bowling Green 34, N. Illinois 14)
Why it’s intriguging: Best current non Power-5 rivalry in the country

The Bowling Green-Northern Illinois rivalry has evolved into something special, with one of the two teams seemingly always taking the MAC title back home with them.

The Falcons and Eagles have met in the MAC title game for the past three years (in addition to regular season meetings) with Bowling Green taking the title in two of those three meetings. Prior to that, NIU won two straight MAC championships.

This is a game to watch if you want to see some precision passing, razzle-dazzle offense and perhaps the odd trick play or two. Fans of smashmouth football and dirt-in-the-facemask defense won’t enjoy this high-scoring affair.

How high?

The last three MAC Championship game meetings between these two teams averaged a combined score of 63 points, with an average margin of victory at 24.6 points.

Next: Game Number One

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