Week 11 of the college football season around North Carolina featured a championship celebration, multiple record-setting individual performances, a last ride for a long-time successful coach — and a few unanticipated land mines for two of our top teams.
The results once again reshuffled our Fabulous 14 statewide rankings. A former No. 1 returns to the top, while another former No. 1 shoots back up to No. 2.
Since the season has drawn to a close for our Division III programs, our NAIA and JUCO teams, and most of our Division II schools, this will be the last Fabulous 14 of the regular season. The next one — and final one of 2023 — will be released after post-season bowl games and playoff action.
Until then, here are our rankings after Week 11 (see write-up below the graphic):
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14. Brevard Tornados | D3 | 5-5
Next Game: Season Complete
The ‘Nados lost their last two but stayed in USA South Conference title contention until the final week. Sophomore quarterback Ethan Beamish set school career passing marks (2,697 yards, 23 touchdowns).
13. Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls | D2 | 7-3
Next Game: Florida Beach Bowl vs. Fort Valley State on Wednesday, Dec. 13
Coach Maurice Flowers’ transformation of the Golden Bulls program — from two wins to seven wins — will be rewarded with a post-season showcase in Fort Lauderdale. This will be JCSU’s seventh all-time appearance in a bowl game, dating back to the 1940s.
12. Duke Blue Devils | FBS | 6-4
Next Game: Saturday at Virginia
Remember back over the summer when we said Duke might have a better team than 2022 but win fewer games? The Devils have certainly been good, though bedeviled by injuries this season. Coach Mike Elko’s crew can still get to nine wins by sweeping Virginia and Pitt (very doable) and then capturing a bowl victory.
11. Davidson Wildcats | FCS | 7-3
Next Game: Saturday vs. Dayton
The ‘Cats no longer control their own destiny in the Pioneer Football League after a 47-17 loss at Morehead State. Davidson, which had won seven in a row, can still earn a share of the PFL title. The Wildcats have to beat Dayton and hope Drake losses to Butler.
10. UNC Pembroke Braves | D2 | 7-3
Next Game: Season Complete
Coach Mark Hall enjoyed a stellar debut at UNCP after coming over from Chowan. The retooled Braves finished on a four-game win streak and put 11 players on the all-Mountain East Conference team. Jamae Blank earned Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors, while Sincere Baines was voted MEC Offensive Freshman of the Year. Watch out for this group in ’24.
9. Wingate Bulldogs | D2 | 8-3
Next Game: Season Complete
Take a bow, coach Joe Reich. Your 23-year reign as the Bulldogs head coach is certainly worth celebrating: 158 wins (most in Wingate history, second-most in the South Atlantic Conference), five playoff bids, the school’s first-ever national quarterfinals appearance in 2022. The program will be in capable hands with long-time defensive coordinator Rashaan Jordan assuming command.
8. Gardner-Webb Bulldogs | FCS | 6-4
Next Game: Saturday vs. Charleston Southern
Welcome back, Bulldogs. After a 41-14 loss at Austin Peay, GWU sat at 2-4 overall and miles away from thinking about the playoffs. But coach Tre Lamb’s group has scored at least 35 points in each game since — all victories — and now has a chance to snag the Big South/OVC Football Association championship.
7. Fayetteville State Broncos | D2 | 8-3
Next Game: Season Complete
For eight CIAA games, coach Richard Hayes group refused to lose, getting back to the conference championship game for the sixth year in a row. Though the Broncos lost to a talented Virginia Union squad in the finale, there is plenty to celebrate in 2023 — including the notion that raw stats don’t always tell the full story about a team.
6. NC State Wolfpack | FBS | 7-3
Next Game: Saturday at Virginia Tech
Early in the season: “This is coach Dave Doeren’s 11th year, the Pack should be a lot better than this.” The past few weeks: “This could be coach Dave Doeren’s best coaching job in his 11-year tenure in Raleigh.”
5. North Carolina Central Eagles | FCS | 8-2
Next Game: Saturday vs. Delaware State
An unexpected 50-20 loss to Howard on Saturday could have a silver lining for the Eagles. Though a Celebration Bowl berth may have slipped away — NCCU needs to win this weekend and hope Howard falls to Morgan State — the Eagles may be line for an FCS playoff opportunity.
4. Western Carolina Catamounts | FCS | 7-3
Next Game: Saturday at VMI
The Catamounts held on to “The Rock” — given to the winner of the Blue Ridge Border Battle between WCU and East Tennessee State. WCU also held on to FCS playoff hopes and now need to take care of pesky VMI in the regular season finale to lock up a spot in the field.
3. Mars Hill Lions | D2 | 8-2
Next Game: Season Complete
The Lions avenged their loss in last year’s SAC title game by beating Newberry in the season finale. The defense has played big all season, and the stopping unit came up with one last stand in the final seconds to preserve the 21-14 triumph. Alas, the D2 playoffs eluded Mars Hill, which had been in the regional rankings up until Sunday’s bracket announcements.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels | FBS | 8-2
Next Game: Saturday at Clemson
Tar Heel fans created plenty of consternation with their Triangle area rivals, flooding the Kenan Stadium field following the double-overtime win over Duke. Maybe, like the students, we should celebrate this UNC team a little more. The Heels are 8-2, have one of the top offenses in the nation and still can make the ACC title game. Realistically, isn’t this about where we thought they would be at this point? Of course, the 6-0 start teased us.
1. Lenoir-Rhyne Bears | D2 | 10-1
Next Game: D2 Playoffs, Saturday vs. Shepherd
Our first — and perhaps our only? — outright conference champion left no doubt on Saturday. The Bears rolled past Tusculum 48-7 to return the South Atlantic Conference trophy to Hickory. How far can this team go in the playoffs? The Bears are in a tough bracket. Shepherd went 13-2 a year ago and made the national semifinals. An undefeated, top-five opponent (Benedict) awaits if they advance.
Knocking on the door
Appalachian State (6-4) has been playing more up to program standards in recent weeks. The Mountaineers smoked Georgia State 42-14 on Saturday … The Barton Bulldogs (6-5) wrapped up a milestone year with an eye-popping rushing performance by a likely All-American running back, Jordan Terrell (403 yards, four TDs) … Louisburg finished the JUCO season with a winning record (5-4) and now will send its top players to fill out various rosters around the region… Elon (5-5) still has a chance to finish above .500 after a topsy-turvy season.
How Last Week’s Fabulous 14 Fared in Week 11
