3 underrated college football games in Week 7

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 22: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs the ball during the first half against the Chattanooga Mocs at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. Minnesota at #24 Illinois, 12 pm Big Ten Network

Traditionally, watching a matchup between these two teams has felt like going to a game at your local high school. Alas, the year is 2022, and somehow both of these schools have snuck their way into national relevance.

Illinois, who hasn’t been ranked since 2011, might be the favorite to win the B1G West with a 5-1 record, and their lone loss coming on the road against Indiana. Their defense has been stout, allowing only 19 points in the four games since playing Indiana. Chase Brown has been a stud on offense, leading the nation in rushing yards with 879.

Minnesota, on the other hand, is right up there with Illinois. They’ve been jockeying for a spot in the college football top 25 all season, but after suffering their first loss of the season to Purdue on Saturday, they’ve been knocked off of that pedestal a bit. The caveat to that game was that the Gophers were missing Mohamed Ibrahim, their Heisman-caliber running back who is on pace for the third 1,000-yard season of his career. Ibrahim is expected to play against the Illini and will pose a serious threat to their defense.

Both of these teams have a legitimate shot at winning their division, and the result of Saturday’s game will vault one’s chances up and destroy the chances of the other. Virtually a must-win for both teams, they’re bound to come out swinging.

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