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Our Five: The most underrated college football teams of 2018

Appalachian State has run away from everyone after losing to Penn State in Week 1. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)
Appalachian State has run away from everyone after losing to Penn State in Week 1. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)

After writing about the five most disappointing teams a week ago, let’s give five good teams some much-needed love. Here are five of the most underrated teams through the first seven weeks of the 2018 college football season.

Previously on Our Five: Disappointing teams, coaches on the hot seat, biggest upsets, surprise undefeated teams, turnover celebrations, traditions

5. Fresno State (5-1)

The Bulldogs are on a four-game win streak after a seven-point loss to Minnesota in Week 2. Included in that stretch are wins over UCLA and Toledo as well as a 27-3 win over Wyoming on Saturday. Fresno has a great chance at winning the Mountain West’s West Division for a second-straight season and a Nov. 9 game against Boise State could be a conference championship preview.

4. Iowa (5-1)

Don’t count Iowa out just yet in the Big Ten West. The Hawkeyes are currently one of four teams tied at the top of the division standings with one conference loss. It hurts that it was to Wisconsin but the Hawkeyes can make up for that with a win over Penn State in two weeks. Iowa is also on a run of two-straight games of scoring more than 40 points. Suddenly this team is explosive.

3. Washington State (5-1)

You’re looking at the new favorite in the Pac-12 North if the Cougars beat Oregon on Saturday. Washington State’s only loss came to USC in a 39-36 Friday night contest in Week 4. QB Gardner Minshew is completing nearly 69 percent of his passes and has thrown 19 touchdowns. He’s also on pace to throw more than 600 passes in the regular season while Washington State runs the ball about 250 times. Mike Leach offenses, baby.

2. Utah State (5-1)

Are the Aggies the best team in Utah? If only we’d have a Utah State-Utah game to find out. Utah State took care of BYU easily two weeks ago and has won five-straight games since losing to Michigan State to start the season. The Aggies are one of the country’s highest-scoring teams too. Their lowest output is 31. The scoring should continue against Wyoming on Saturday.

1. App State (4-1)

The Mountaineers have outscored their opponents 242-77 so far this season. And 45 of those 77 points came in a Week 1 loss to Penn State. Since then App State has been blowing out opponents, most recently Arkansas State. App State beat the Red Wolves 35-9. The team lost RB Jalin Moore to a broken ankle in that game but the offense should keep humming. There’s a good chance App State could go through the Sun Belt undefeated and an Oct. 25 game against fellow Sun Belt leader Georgia Southern is a must-watch for Group of Five fans.

Also considered: Duke, Georgia Southern, NC State, UAB

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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

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