For the first time this season, we’re not going to see seismic changes in our Fabulous 15 statewide rankings. Whew!
The top six will hold in place this week and only one team — the suddenly free-falling UNC Tar Heels — will drop out.
We still have four undefeated squads in the Old North State. That quartet — Lenoir-Rhyne, Johnson C. Smith, Duke and Guilford — comprise our top four as we head into October. We’re still heavy on D2 programs across the Fabulous 15, but there is a solid representation from all divisions of play. We like that.
A couple things to remember before we refresh the rankings for this week:
1. The Fabulous 15 isn’t a traditional “power ranking” per se. We know a D2 or D3 school isn’t going to beat an opponent from the ACC on the field. The Fab 15 instead is our way to celebrate the programs in our state, regardless of division or size, who are having the most successful seasons and generating the most positive buzz.
2. Only teams with records of .500 or better qualify for the rankings (losing records = not Fabulous).
As always, we thank The North Carolina Sports Network, home of the popular David Glenn Show and other content, for sponsoring this year’s Fabulous 15. Check out this week’s Fifth Quarter Show with Mike Waddell and coach Jim Collins, which recaps week five action. NC Football News publisher/editor Eric Lusk makes a guest appearance to talk Fab 15 and college football in North Carolina.
Fabulous 15 | After Week 5
1. Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (4-0) | D2
Next game: Saturday at Emory & Henry
Hickory took some hurricane damage, but the Bears were able to play Sunday thanks to the generosity of Catawba College, which offered their stadium in Salisbury. With its latest win, Lenoir-Rhyne held steady at No. 6 in the D2 coaches poll and moved up one spot to No. 11 in the D2Football.com media rankings. Fabulous indeed.
2. Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls (5-0) | D2
Next game: Saturday vs. Virginia State
A Johnson C. Smith team hasn’t been 5-0 since 1969. That ’69 squad went on to win a conference title, something the school hasn’t done in football since. The Golden Bulls move into the national rankings this week: No. 23 in the media poll and No. 24 in the coaches poll. Another big game looms in Charlotte this week.
3. Duke Blue Devils (5-0) | FBS
Next game: Saturday at Georgia Tech
Is it finally time to give the Devils their props? Winning is hard no matter the level, and adjusting to a first-year staff always presents extra challenges. Yet here we are in October, and the Manny Diaz-led Duke Blues have a Victory Bell, an undefeated record, some Top 25 votes and all goals still in front of them.
4. Guilford Quakers (3-0) | D3
Next game: Saturday at Hampden-Sydney
The Quakers have been impressive at times on both sides of the ball — stern defense in games 1 and 2, explosive offense in game 3. The competition level will get stiffer from here as Old Dominion Athletic Conference opponents start showing up on the schedule.
5. North Carolina Central Eagles (3-2) | FCS
Next game: Saturday at Campbell
The Eagles, coming off another HBCU showcase game triumph, will complete their tour of our state’s three CAA programs with a trip to Buies Creek. Last season’s game against Campbell in Durham lit up the scoreboard and went to overtime. This year’s could do the same.
6. Winston-Salem State Rams (4-1) | D2
Next game: Saturday at Virginia Union
Coach Robert Massey promised that quarterback Daylin Lee would have a breakout game. That promise was fulfilled Saturday. Lee threw three touchdown passes, and the Rams’ defense held Bowie State in check en route to an impressive 28-14 triumph. WSSU will put its unbeaten CIAA record on the line Saturday against the reigning league champs.
7. Davidson Wildcats (3-1) | FCS
Next game: Saturday
The Wildcats unleashed another offensive weapon on Sunday night against Presbyterian. Andrew Frazier, making his first start at quarterback, rushed for 51 yards and two TDs, while also completing 8-of-10 passes for 159 yards and another score. Combine the athletic Frazier with dynamic running backs Mason Sheron and Mari Adams, and the ‘Cats look ready to hunt for another Pioneer Football League title.
8. Wingate Bulldogs (2-1) | D2
Next game: Saturday at UVA Wise
Wingate’s game against Mars Hill on Saturday didn’t happen due to the hurricane. The ‘Dogs still have a ranked win on their resume (Delta State). As it turns out, the team that beat them Sept. 21, Carson-Newman (4-0), jumped into the D2 rankings this week.
9. Louisburg Hurricanes (4-1) | JUCO
Next game: Saturday vs. Georgia Military College (in Cayce, SC)
We don’t mind talking positively about this group of Hurricanes. Louisburg used a 20-0 explosion in the fourth-quarter to pick up a comeback victory Saturday against Apprentice School. Dylan Trevillian villainized the Apprentice School defense with 319 passing yards and three touchdowns. Louisburg intercepted three passes. Georgia Military College will be a tough foe. They beat Louisburg 37-0 last season.
10. NC State Wolfpack (3-2) | FBS
Next game: Saturday vs. Wake Forest
The Pack won a grinder of a game on Saturday, needing a defensive touchdown and great special teams to outlast Northern Illinois. A quote from coach Dave Doeren after a similar ugly win against Virginia last season applies here nicely: “S***, be happy we won.”
11. Appalachian State Mountaineers (2-2) | FBS
Next game: Saturday at Marshall
The focus in Boone obviously hasn’t been on football over the past several days. The game with Liberty was canceled (though sparring over insensitive remarks from Liberty fans on social media continues). Some wonder if the campus and town will be in shape to host another home game this season. Consider giving to App State’s disaster relief fund (see embedded tweet for more details).
12. East Carolina Pirates (3-2) | FBS
Next Game: Saturday at Charlotte
The Pirates reversed a trend this week of jumping out to a double-digit lead, only to lose in the end. East Carolina rallied past UTSA in its conference opener, scoring 24 unanswered points and shutting down the Roadrunners’ offense. The Pirates will play at Charlotte for the first time in program history. A win here should take some of the heat off the program. A loss and well…
13. Fayetteville State Broncos (2-2) | D2
Next Game: Saturday vs. Bowie State
Death, taxes, Fayetteville State going to the CIAA championship game. It certainly has seemed that way as the Broncos have earned six straight trips to the title contest. But FSU will have its work cut out for it going forward after the loss to Virginia State. There seems to be a lot of competition for those two championship game slots at this point.
14. Shaw Bears (3-2) | D2
Next Game: Saturday vs. Bluefield State
Shaw took it on the chin aganst Jada Byers and the Virginia Union Panthers on Saturday. But the team is still riding a great wave through the 2024 campaign. Bluefield State provides a great opportunity to get back on the winning track before the onslaught of in-state CIAA opponents.
15. Brevard Tornados (1-1) | D3
Next Game: Saturday at Southern Virginia
Brevard College reported on Monday that power has been restored on campus and that the school weathered Helene as well as could be expected. Classes are canceled for the week, as well as a Brevard JV football game this upcoming weekend. Last Saturday’s game with Maryville was announced as “postponed” and not canceled, so it may be made up at some point. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brevard and all the other WNC communities affected by this storm.
