North Carolina has nationally ranked college football teams at three different levels heading into Week 6 of the 2026 season.
Duke remains in the FBS Coaches Poll, Campbell continues to climb in both major FCS polls and unbeaten Mars Hill has moved into the top 20 of the Division II coaches rankings.
Three other teams from the state are knocking on the door: Wake Forest, Elon and Johnson C. Smith.
Here is where North Carolina’s college football teams stand in the latest national rankings released Sunday and Monday.
FBS: Duke ranked, Wake Forest receiving votes
Duke (4-0) is No. 23 in the latest AFCA Coaches Poll and received 83 votes in the Associated Press Top 25, leaving the Blue Devils just outside that ranking.
Wake Forest (4-1) is also receiving significant national attention. The Demon Deacons received 142 votes in the AP poll and 87 in the Coaches Poll.
No other North Carolina FBS program received votes in either poll.
There is also a notable Week 6 connection: Pittsburgh (5-0) entered the rankings at No. 25 in the AP poll and No. 24 in the Coaches Poll. The Panthers host North Carolina on Saturday.
North Carolina teams in the FBS polls
| Team | AP Top 25 | Coaches Poll |
|---|---|---|
| Duke | RV (83 votes) | No. 23 |
| Wake Forest | RV (142 votes) | RV (87 votes) |
FCS: Campbell climbs to No. 17
Campbell (5-1) continues to move up the national rankings following Saturday’s 38-31 victory at North Carolina Central.
The Camels climbed to No. 17 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and No. 20 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. Campbell’s only loss came against an FBS opponent, and the Camels remain unbeaten against FCS competition. Campbell made its first-ever appearance in a national Top 25 poll a few weeks ago.
Elon (4-2) received votes in both national polls despite a 30-23 loss at New Hampshire. The Phoenix return home Saturday to face Wofford.
Western Carolina also received votes in the Stats Perform poll following its 44-20 win over a Top 10 Tennessee Tech squad. Tennessee Tech went from No. 9 to No. 15 in the Stats Perform poll and from No. 8 to No. 16 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
North Carolina teams in the FCS polls
| Team | Stats Perform | AFCA Coaches |
|---|---|---|
| Campbell | No. 17 | No. 20 |
| Elon | RV | RV |
| Western Carolina | RV | — |
Division II: Unbeaten Mars Hill reaches national Top 20
Mars Hill (5-0) continues to climb after surviving Tusculum 42-40 in four overtimes Saturday.
The Lions moved up one spot to No. 20 in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll and are No. 21 in the D2Football.com Top 25.
Mars Hill is the only remaining undefeated Division II program in North Carolina.
Johnson C. Smith received two votes in the AFCA poll but remains outside the Top 25.The Golden Bulls have won four in a row since falling to Benedict in its season opener.
North Carolina teams in the Division II polls
| Team | AFCA Coaches | D2Football.com |
|---|---|---|
| Mars Hill | No. 20 | No. 21 |
| Johnson C. Smith | RV | — |
North Carolina teams will have several opportunities to strengthen their national standing in Week 6. Duke visits Georgia Tech, Mars Hill travels to Emory & Henry and Elon hosts Wofford. Campbell has a bye. Johnson C. Smith hosts 4-2 Shaw.
