North Carolina college football belongs to Division II right now. From UNC Pembroke’s rise into the national Top 25 to Johnson C. Smith, Catawba, Mars Hill, Winston-Salem State, Livingstone, Wingate and Fayetteville State all making noise, the D2 ranks are driving the biggest storylines in our state. That’s why this week’s Fabulous 15 leans heavy toward the small-college powers.
And remember: this isn’t a true power ranking of who we think would beat who on a given Saturday. The main metric here is who’s having the most special season and creating the loudest positive buzz in their level of play. That may create some wonky rankings — like Mars Hill sitting above the Winston-Salem State team that beat them a month ago — but that’s the point. The Fabulous 15 is about who’s capturing attention right now and building the best resumes for all the right reasons.
On to the rankings:
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COACH BREW + COACH COLLINS present their MID-SEASON breakdown of UNC, NC State, Duke & Wake Forest #GoHeels #1Pack1Goal #Duke #BuiltInTheDark #NCPork
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🏈 Fabulous 15 Statewide Rankings: Week 5
1. UNC Pembroke (4-1, D2)
The Braves, picked as a favorite in the new Conference Carolinas, are showing why. UNCP already has two wins over ranked foes, including a 31-0 shutout of Valdosta State on Saturday that vaulted them into the Top 25. The only ranked team in North Carolina right now and things continue to trend upward.
2. Johnson C. Smith (4-1, D2)
The Golden Bulls stumbled at Virginia Union but bounced back with a 69-point explosion against Bluefield State. Still one of the most dangerous teams in the CIAA and still very much in the hunt for a spot in Durham in November.
3. Catawba (4-1, D2)
Best start since 2017. After winning only three games last season, they’ve already eclipsed that total and could make real noise in the SAC. RBs Kevin Lalin and Marquece Williams both topped 100 yards in Saturday’s 63-23 win over Southern Connecticut State.
4. NC Central (4-2, FCS)
Losses to ODU and New Hampshire haven’t dampened the vibes — QB Walker Harris has the Eagles offense humming, and they just outlasted East Texas A&M in a 50-42 shootout. MEAC schedule on deck soon.
5. Mars Hill (3-1, D2)
Kevin Barnette took over as head coach in a surprise August move, but the Lions haven’t skipped a beat. A huge win over Carson-Newman earlier this season has them rolling after a loss to WSSU on opening night.
6. Winston-Salem State (3-2, D2)
WSSU fans are going to chirp about their Rams no matter what. This year’s team has been giving them reasons to be loud and proud. QB Daylin Lee and LB Jamieson Alston have sparked the Rams, who edged Mars Hill head-to-head and knocked off Bowie State last week. Virginia Union comes to Bowman Gray this weekend. Imagine the crowing if WSSU wins this one.
7. Livingstone (3-1, D2)
Under the radar amid higher profile CIAA teams in our state but doing the work so far. The Blue Bears are 3-1, with DL Kenyon Garner wrecking games (four TFLs in each of the last two). A gritty 31-7 win over Lincoln has the Blue Bears 2-0 in CIAA play.
8. Duke (3-2, FBS)
Losses to Illinois and Tulane raised red flags, but the Blue Devils have rebounded with wins over the Red and White from NC State and the Syracuse Orange. Still the best FBS team in the state. QB Darian Mensah leads the ACC in passing yards. Time to start wondering: Will the SEC or Big Ten coming calling for coach Manny Diaz after this season?
9. East Carolina (3-2, FBS)
The Pirates lost to NC State in the opener but are looking a lot shinier than the Pack these days. ECU blanked Army 28-6 last Thursday — a statement against the defending American champs.
10. Elon (3-2, FCS)
The Phoenix opened CAA play with a 41-20 win over Hampton after earlier victories at Western Carolina and home vs. Davidson. Freshman QB Landen Clark looks poised, and RB Jimmyll Williams broke out with 172 yards last week.
11. Wingate (3-1, D2)
The Bulldogs slipped against Carson-Newman in the SAC title game rematch from 2024 but remain a contender in a league where only one team is unbeaten and five have one loss. Earlier wins had them ranked nationally, and they’ll stay in the mix behind a balanced roster.
12. Gardner-Webb (2-2, FCS)
The Runnin’ Bulldogs own wins over Western Carolina and The Citadel, with their only losses coming against FBS foes Georgia Tech and Ohio – no shame in that. BBQ Bowl bragging rights up for grabs this weekend against Charleston Southern. No mustard, all vinegar & tomatoes.
13. Western Carolina (2-3, FCS)
QB Taron Dickens is back and continues to light up scoreboards — 427 yards, 4 TDs in the win at Campbell, more than 1,000 yards in two outings. The Catamounts have shaken off a 0-3 start and feel like a dangerous team again. Can the defense learn to help protect early leads?
14. Fayetteville State (2-3, D2)
The Broncos opened with three straight losses against a brutal slate (4-0 Benedict, 4-1 UNCP, 4-2 NCCU). Since then, two straight wins – including a 20-point thumping of 2024 CIAA runner-up Virginia State – have North Carolina’s FSU team emerging in the CIAA title conversation again.
15. Brevard (2-1, D3)
The Tornados edged D2 Erskine and swatted Sewanee by two scores in recent action. Veterans Ethan Beamish (QB) and Robert Dorsey (All-American DL) have the Tornados poised to create squalls in the USA South.
👀 Outside Looking In
- NC State (3-2, FBS) — solid wins over Virginia, ECU, Wake but the vibes are flat/rapidly descending in Raleigh after the Virginia Tech loss. When your fans are chanting for the coach to be fired on the way out of the stadium, not Fabulous material.
- Wake Forest (2-2, FBS) – Oh what could have been, Demon Deacons! Yes, there was a bad call at the end but the Yellow Jackets were right there for the taking.
- Chowan (2-2, D2) — better vibes in Murfreesboro these days, learning how to win close games (30-29 over Shorter on Saturday) should reap dividends in conference play.
- Louisburg (2-2, NJCAA) — North Carolina’s lone JUCO could be in the mix for another run at the NJCAA title game.
- North Carolina Wesleyan (2-1, D3) — strong early wins but the shutout loss to Sewanee before the bye dropped them below Brevard in the D3 pecking order.
📊 Who’s playing in North Carolina college football this weekend? Check the full Week 6 Schedule for North Carolina college teams, including kickoff times and TV/streaming information.
👍 Want more Fabulous 15 content? Review rankings from past weeks, plus read our Fab 15 tribute to former App State coach and player Shawn Clark.
