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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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Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Josh Adams (33) smiles after Notre Dame defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 28-7 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Josh Adams (33) smiles after Notre Dame defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 28-7 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Game Date: Saturday Sept. 24, 2016
Venue: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, In. 
Series Record: Notre Dame leads, 3-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 17, 2007 (Notre Dame 28, Duke 7)
Why it’s intriguing: Rare meeting of two playoff hopefuls

Of all the big games on Notre Dame’s schedule, many people are overlooking this early season game against ACC favorite Duke.

The Blue Devils are nowhere near the pushover on the gridiron they used to be, and head coach David Cutcliffe would love to notch a win over a program like Notre Dame onto his resume. These two programs have only met four times, and the only Duke win came in 1961.

Winning won’t be easy for the Blue Devils, as this will be their second out-of-conference road game in a row (after traveling to Northwestern), and winning in Notre Dame Stadium is a rarity for visitors. The Irish will be coming off a home game against Michigan State, so the potential for letdown is there if Brian Kelly‘s team has an emotional win against a quality Spartan team.

An upset in the making? Perhaps. Either way, this one will be more competitive than many think.

Next: Game Number Seven

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