You know how the Big Ten Conference has 14 schools and soon will have 18? And how the Big 12 Conference played with 10 schools for years, currently has 14 and soon will have 16? And yet again how the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024 will feature two teams from a state that borders the Pacific Ocean?
It is in that vain that we present to you this week’s Fabulous 14 statewide college football rankings, complete with 15 teams.
Yes, you read that correctly — this week’s Fabulous 14 will feature 15 schools.
Why? This was just one of those weeks where we had a hard time pairing down our “Fabulous” list. There were a lot of solid wins and strong resumes. And our criteria, which dictates that we include at least one team from each of the major divisions — FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III/NAIA/JUCO — also made it difficult to leave someone out.
So we took the easy way out and just added one spot to our list. We figured if our leaders in higher education can use fuzzy math from time to time, we might as well try it to.
Enjoy this week’s Fabulous 14* with a bonus team include:
15. Brevard (5-4)
The Tornados have been our D3 representative the past few weeks, winning five games in a row to keep USA South Conference title hopes alive. Brevard didn’t prevail this past Saturday but still has a chance to play spoiler in the league race with a win this week against Belhaven.
14. Johnson C. Smith (7-3)
The Golden Bulls put together the program’s best season in terms of wins and losses since 2006. There is still an outside chance that the Bulls get chosen for the new Florida Beach Bowl, which will pit a CIAA foe against an SIAC opponent.
13. Gardner-Webb (5-4)
The Bulldogs have come roaring back to life with two impressive wins, including one against the current Big South/OVC leader. With two regular season games to play, GWU can still have a say in the conference championship race.
12. UNC Pembroke (6-3)
The Braves have outscored their last three foes 154-7. How do you leave that team off a Fabulous list? One of those wins (by a 49-7 count) came against an eight-win Fairmont State team being considered for the D2 playoffs. Impressive.
11. Wingate (7-3)
In a space of two weeks, the Bulldogs beat the 2022 SAC champions (Newberry) and the favorites to win the 2023 title (Lenoir-Rhyne). A post-season berth is unlikely, but the Dogs have played like a playoff-worthy squad during the back half of the season.
10. Elon (5-4)
The Phoenix knocked off their second top-10 opponent of the season Saturday at Delaware. How do we keep this group of a Fabulous poll? The latest triumph keeps Elon in the thick of a crowded race for the CAA championship.
9. NC State (6-3)
Being a Wolfpack fan isn’t for soft people, says former quarterback Philip Rivers, and this week certainly epitomized that. How will the team rally around current quarterback Brennan Armstrong after the announcement that MJ Morris won’t play the rest of the season in order to preserve his redshirt? They’ve got the right coach and right culture to galvanize around this type of situation.
8. Duke (6-3)
The Blue Devils muscled out a win over Wake Forest last Thursday behind third-string quarterback Grayson Loftis. The freshman is expected to start again Saturday as Duke tries to spoil what is likely UNC quarterback Drake Maye’s final home game.
7. Mars Hill (7-2)
So close, yet so far away. The Lions lost in double overtime to Tusculum on Saturday in what amounted to the SAC Mountain Division championship game. The defeat likely will keep Mars Hill out of the D2 playoffs, but it has been a Fabulous season nonetheless for the Hill.
6. North Carolina (7-2)
UNC still has an outside shot at making the ACC title game but will need to run the table against Duke, Clemson and NC State — and get some help. This week’s quest, retain the Victory Bell for another season and don’t let another QB from deep on the depth chart (remember Ben Finley) upstage you at home.
5. Davidson (7-2)
Don’t look now but the Wildcats lead the FCS in rushing offense (321.2 yards per game), scoring offense (45.4 points per game), completion percentage (74.5 percent), fewest turnovers (five) and team passing efficiency (191.33 rating). They also lead the Pioneer Football League standings and are in good shape to return to the FCS playoffs if they can stay on course a few more weeks.
4. Western Carolina (6-3)
The Catamounts have really missed running back Desmond Reid in the backfield the past few weeks but still have lively FCS playoff aspirations. Western Carolina can’t afford another stumble, though.
3. Fayetteville State Broncos (8-2)
The Broncos came into the season as the favorites to repeat as CIAA champs. After a perfect run through the regular season campaign, the last step comes Saturday in Salem, Va., against Virginia Union in the conference championship game. FSU won the first meeting in a driving rainstorm 10-7.
2. Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (9-1)
The Bears will look to add another conference championship to a crowded trophy case Saturday, facing Tusculum on the road. The win could be pivotal in Lenoir-Rhyne’s quest not only for a D2 playoff berth but the chance to host a first-round game.
1. North Carolina Central (8-1)
The Eagles climbed to No. 7 in both major FCS national polls this week, the best ranking in program history since the school moved up to Division I. The top two offensive units in the conference will square off this Saturday on ESPNU as Central travels to Howard looking to keep MEAC title hopes and Celebration Bowl aspirations alive.
Knocking on the door: Appalachian State (5-4) … Louisburg College (5-4) … Barton Bulldogs (5-5) …
