We’ve crossed the mid-point of the season. The cream of North Carolina’s college football landscape has risen to the top, and we’re ready for last charge at conference titles, post-season berths and positive finishes.
Our Fabulous 15 statewide rankings underwent some editing after week seven, but the top two teams, Johnson C. Smith and North Carolina Central, held firm. No. 3 Davidson suffered a tough conference loss, while No. 4 Lenoir-Rhyne and No. 6 Wingate trampled South Atlantic foes by a collective 74-3 score. No. 5 Duke was idle.
HBCU football, and in particular Division II HBCU football, continues to be a strength in our state. Five of our state’s six CIAA teams remain ranked in the Fabulous 15 this week. Johnson C. Smith is the last remaining unbeaten at 6-0. Winston-Salem State and Livingstone each have five wins. One will have six after this weekend, with the Rams and Blue Bears taking aim at each other Saturday afternoon.
Before we present this week’s Fabulous 15, a few reminders about our unique statewide rankings: 1) the main metric is “which teams are having the most special seasons?” 2) a school must have a .500 or better overall record to be eligible for consideration; 3) we aim to include at least one team from each of the major divisions of play — FBS, FCS, D2, D3/NAIA/JUCO. Ironically, we’re having the hardest time filling spots from our biggest divisions, FCS and FBS.
As always, we thank The North Carolina Sports Network, home of the popular David Glenn Show and other great sports content, for sponsoring this year’s Fabulous 15. Check out this week’s Fifth Quarter Show with Mike Waddell and coach Jim Collins, which examines the importance of “culture” within a college football program. NC Football News publisher/editor Eric Lusk makes a guest appearance in the final segment of the Fifth Quarter Show to talk about the Fabulous 15 and college football in North Carolina.
1. Johnson C. Smith (6-0) | D2
Next Game: Saturday vs. Shaw
The Golden Bulls come off a bye week with plenty of momentum and national ranking (20th/21st). A four-game stretch awaits against in-state rivals with a trip to Salem. Va., on the line for the CIAA championship game. The school hasn’t won a conference title in football since 1969. JCSU hasn’t been 6-0 on the gridiron since that year either.
2. North Carolina Central (5-2) | FCS
Next Game: Saturday, Oct. 26 vs. Morgan State
The Eagles hold the same spots as Johnson C. Smith in the national rankings this week, just at the FCS level (20th in the media poll, 21st in the coaches poll). NCCU has outscored foes 216-94 during its four-game win streak, including Saturday’s 68-0 mauling of Virginia-Lynchburg. It’s only MEAC games from here, with a Celebration Bowl berth on the line.
3. Lenoir-Rhyne (5-1) | D2
Next Game: Saturday at Barton
The Bears may be tempted to look ahead of struggling Barton to the following two weeks on the schedule. There, the other top challengers in the SAC Piedmont Division await, Limestone (4-0 conference) and Wingate (2-1).
4. Wingate (4-1) | D2
Next Game: Saturday at Limestone
The Bulldogs’ defense has not surrendered a point in the last two games. They rank among the NCAA Division II leaders in eight different defensive categories, including second in total defense and fifth in tackles for loss.
5. Duke (5-1) | FBS
Next Game: Friday vs. Florida State
The Seminoles are reeling at 1-5 as they come to Wallace Wade Stadium for a Friday night clash. What a sweet feeling it would be for Manny Diaz to get his first Duke team bowl eligible with a win over last year’s ACC champions. This week starts a grueling stretch for the Devils, which includes games against SMU, Miami and NC State after FSU.
6. Winstson-Salem State (5-2) | D2
Next Game: Saturday at Livingstone
The Rams bounced back from their first conference loss with a resounding victory over Shaw, 34-14. This week brings what is effectively an elimination game in the CIAA title race. WSSU is 12-2 vs. Livingstone since 2005 but has lost the last two by a combined five points. This may be the game of the week in our state.
7. Brevard (3-1) | D3
Next Game: Saturday vs. LaGrange
The Tornados have now won two straight games since Hurricane Helene ravaged their WNC region – a tribute to the school, coaches and players for keeping things together so well. Brevard sits at 3-0 in the USA South Athletic Conference race, matching Huntingdon, the preseason favorite.
8. Livingstone (5-2) | D2
Next Game: Saturday vs. Winston-Salem State
CIAA football in general has been a pleasant surprise in our state this season, with five of six teams sitting at or above .500. Livingstone, in particular, has been a shining light, playing well above expectations. Picked ninth, the Blue Bears are 3-1 in the league and right in the thick of things coming down the stretch.
9. Louisburg (5-2) | JUCO
Next Game: Saturday vs. Palmetto Collegiate
“Hurricane” may be a dirty word in our state these days but not these Hurricanes. North Carolina’s lone junior college program continues to impress, putting up 66 points in its most recent outing.
10. Charlotte (3-3) | FBS
Next Game: Saturday at Navy
Who figured the 49ers would be sitting in the Fabulous 15 at this point in the season, while UNC, NC State and App State (all with losing records right now) were nowhere to be found? Charlotte faces a stringent home stretch of AAC games, but a couple of recent wins, especially the one over ECU, has injected new energy into the program.
11. Western Carolina (3-3) | FCS
Next Game: Saturday at Furman
Welcome back to the Fab 15, Catamounts! After a rough and tumble start, Western Carolina has won two in a row over Wofford and The Citadel. WCU is one of only two Southern Conference teams without a loss in league play. One FCS playoff bracketologist has projected the Catamounts among the “Last Four In.” That is the goal, and it is still within reach.
12. Davidson (4-2) | FCS
Next Game: Saturday vs. Stetson
Dayton beat Davidson at its own game on Saturday, outrushing the usually potent Wildcats. The 16-14 loss, which included three blocked field goals as well as a missed 51-yarder in the final minute, puts a serious dent in Pioneer Football League championship aspirations. But Davidson’s not all the way out and can stay in the hunt by mounting another win streak.
13. Shaw (4-3) | D2
Next Game: Saturday at Johnson C. Smith
The Bears have hit the toughest part of their schedule, facing Johnson C. Smith after a tough outing at Winston-Salem State. Christian Peters still leads the CIAA in touchdown passes, while Ah’shaan Belcher is tied for the league lead in TD receptions.
14. Fayetteville State (3-3) | D2
Next Game: Saturday, Oct. 26 vs. Shaw
The Broncos made a habit of mucking games up last season in the CIAA and finding ways to win at the end (8-0 record in the regular season). Livingstone beat them at that very game this past Saturday, and it appears likely the loss to the Blue Bears will keep FSU out of the CIAA championship game for the first time since 2016.
15. East Carolina (3-3) | FBS
Next Game: Saturday at Army
Only 16 teams met the qualifications to be in our Fabulous 15 this week (i.e. must have a .500 record or better). We gave ECU the final spot mostly because of what has happened to Guilford the past two weeks (outscored 94-0 in a pair of conference games). ECU can lock down a more permanent place in our rankings by becoming the first team to hand Army a loss on Saturday.
Outside Looking In
The schedule doesn’t get easier for Guilford (3-2) this week. This Saturday the Quakers play Washington & Lee, which just beat Hampden-Sydney 28-26. Hampden-Sydney shut out Guilford 31-0 a few weeks ago …
NC State, North Carolina and Appalachian State have been mainstays in our Fabulous rankings the past few seasons (NCSU started at No. 1), but each are below .500 right now and are a collective 0-6 in October.
How Last Week’s Fabulous 15 Fared | Week 7
