The 2025 college football season is almost here, and several North Carolina programs are making noise in the preseason national rankings. With the first games now only a few weeks away, here is where each ranked (or receiving votes) team from the Old North State stands.
Polls referenced: USA Today Coaches Poll & AP Top 25 (FBS); AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and FCS Nation Radio (FCS) and AFCA Division II Coaches Poll (D2). Rankings are as of Aug. 11, 2025. D2Football.com has not released its first media poll of the season.
FBS
- Duke – Receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll (12 points) and AP Top 25 (6 points). The Blue Devils are coming off an 8-win season and return several key playmakers on offense. [View 2025 schedule ➡️]
FCS
- Western Carolina – Ranked No. 18 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and No. 19 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The Catamounts are eyeing another deep playoff push after finishing 2024 with 9 wins. [View 2025 schedule ➡️]
- North Carolina Central – Receiving votes in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll (13 points) and Stats Perform Top 25 (18 points). The Eagles have won or shared two MEAC titles in the past four seasons. [View 2025 schedule ➡️]
Western Carolina football tipped the scales at No. 19 in the AFCA Preseason Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl, and released Monday by the @WeAreAFCA. WCU was No. 18 in the @OptaSTATS Top 25 last week.
RELEASE: https://t.co/tVzQG9OBhd#CatamountCountry | #NoExcuses | #LOTE pic.twitter.com/2iA0GmO9jM — Western Carolina Football (@CatamountsFB) August 12, 2025
Division II
- Lenoir-Rhyne – Ranked No. 17 in the AFCA D2 Coaches Poll after a strong 2024 campaign that saw the Bears reach the national semifinals. [View 2025 schedule ➡️]
- Wingate – Receiving votes in the AFCA D2 Coaches Poll (74 points). The Bulldogs are looking to defend their South Atlantic Conference title. [View 2025 schedule ➡️]
- UNC Pembroke – Receiving votes in the AFCA D2 Coaches Poll (12 points). The Braves open the season with three of their first four games at home. [View 2025 schedule ➡️]
- Johnson C. Smith – Receiving votes in the AFCA D2 Coaches Poll (9 points). The Golden Bulls are coming off one of their best seasons in recent history. [View 2025 schedule ➡️]
📅 Check back every week once the season starts for updated national rankings of North Carolina teams throughout the season.
