When I was a kid, my friends and I played a game with a Nerf football on our neighbor’s steeply sloped lawn.
We called it King of the Mountain, and the player who could take the ball from the bottom of this grassy hill to the top, without getting tackled to the ground or fumbling (or breaking a leg), was the king.
Even if one of us reached the top (I rarely did, sadly. Kenny and Walter were much bigger than me), the race was on to bring them down and start the process all over again.
With all due respect to what we kids did to our neighbor’s lawn, this battle to be King of the Mountain has been the picture of our Fabulous 15 statewide college football rankings this season. As soon as a team ascends to No. 1, somebody comes along and knocks them off the perch.
Lenoir-Rhyne was our fourth Fabulous 15 leader to stumble. The season is only six weeks old. The Bears did last two weeks at No. 1, but a loss at Emory & Henry bumps them out of the top spot for now. NC State, North Carolina Central and Elon also have suffered similar fates.
The choice for our new number one is an easy one, though they may not want to be there. Johnson C. Smith is the last unbeaten college team in North Carolina. The Golden Bulls improved to 6-0 overall with a win over CIAA preseason favorite Virginia State.
Only one other team, Duke, has won five games (and we’re not quite sure what to do with them considering the mostly fluffy schedule).
It is still tough to get a clear picture of contenders and pretenders in our state aside from JCSU. It has been a topsy-turvy season for most. Momentum has been hard to sustain (see FCS football in our state). But here is our best shot at ranking the latest Fabulous 15.
Keep in mind a few things about this unique statewide ranking: 1) Our main criterium is which teams are having the most special seasons; 2) We aim to include at least one team from every major division of play; 3) teams must have a .500 record or better to qualify for our list. We only had 17 eligible teams to choose from this week.
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 posits the question of which fan base in our state is most upset with their program right now? NC Football News publisher/editor Eric Lusk makes a guest appearance in the final segment to talk Fab 15 and college football in North Carolina.
1. Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls (6-0) | D2
Next Game: Oct. 19 vs. Shaw
The Bulls moved one step closer to their goal of winning a CIAA title for the first time since 1969, defeating preseason favorite Virginia State. Up next, the gauntlet of in-state rivals after a much-needed bye week. How long can the magic last? All the way to Salem, Va., home of this year’s CIAA championship?
2. North Carolina Central Eagles (4-2) | FCS
Next Game: Saturday vs. Virginia-Lynchburg
Things are rounding into shape nicely for coach Trei Oliver’s team, which has won three straight. After one more non-conference contest this week and a bye week, the conference run begins. Celebration Bowl or FCS playoffs? NCCU is still in contention for both.
3. Davidson Wildcats (4-1) | FCS
Next Game: Saturday at Dayton
Hats off to coach Scott Abell, the school’s new all-time leader in wins (45 and counting). The ‘Cats new starting quarterback, former Havelock star Andrew Frazier, could be a difference-maker in the team’s quest for a conference title. Frazier is a true dual-threat and his stat line the past two weeks is impressive: 16-of-20 passing, 303 yards, 3 TDs through the air as well as 25 rushing attempts, 166 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.
4. Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (4-1) | D2
Next Game: Saturday vs. Newberry
The Bears stumbled for the first time this season at Emory & Henry (4-1), letting an early lead slip away over the final quarter. This puts Limestone (3-0 conference) in the driver’s seat for now in the SAC Piedmont division. But Lenoir-Rhyne still has games remaining against every divisional foe, including the Saints, so plenty of time to climb back into the conference race.
5. Duke Blue Devils (5-1) | FBS
Next Game: Friday, Oct. 18 vs. Florida State
What to make of Duke, the state’s top FBS team in terms of wins and losses? Are they a paper tiger or is Georgia Tech better than most pundits think? This next stretch will provide answers: Florida State, SMU, Miami, NC State after a bye week.
6. Wingate Bulldogs (3-1) | D2
Next Game: Saturday vs. Barton
The Bulldogs lived up to their identity on Saturday, utterly stifling UVA Wise’s offense. Wise managed just 70 total yards, no points and went backwards one yard on 20+ rushing attempts. The focus turns to Piedmont Division games now and the drive to earn a spot in the SAC title game.
7. Fayetteville State Broncos (3-2) | D2
Next Game: Saturday at Livingstone
Johnson C. Smith has been getting much of the spotlight in the CIAA these days, but the Broncos — Southern Division champs the past six seasons — still lurk. This year’s team has leveled up on offense significantly. Coach Richard Hayes’ group still will have a say in the conference race despite an early CIAA loss.
8. Winston-Salem State Rams (4-2) | D2
Next Game: Saturday vs. Shaw
The Rams suffered a setback in their quest to return to the top of the CIAA, falling to Virginia Union 31-13. The focus will turn now to the North Carolina portion of the schedule, where chances to get back into the title conversation await, including a home date against Johnson C. Smith on Oct. 26. Don’t overlook the Shaw Bears this week, though.
9. Shaw Bears (4-2) | D2
Next Game: Saturday at Winston-Salem State
Shaw has exceeded expectations thus far, already winning more games than last year’s 3-7 squad. This next stretch will be stringent, though. Three road games against formidable state rivals: at Winston-Salem State, at Johnson C. Smith, at Fayetteville State.
10. Brevard Tornados (2-1) | D3
Next Game: Saturday vs. Greensboro
If you’re looking for a D3 football team to get behind this season, the Tornados fit the bill. The Brevard area has been through intense devastation due to Hurricane Helene. That the school is even playing sports right now is remarkable, yet the Tornados are in the thick of a conference title race. This will be homecoming week for the school, though officials ask that only local fans, students and alums come to Saturday’s game.
11. NC State Wolfpack (3-3) | FBS
Next Game: Saturday vs. Syracuse
Things have been rough for Wolfpack Nation this season. Such high expectations. Such disappointment at losing three of the first six (especially this past defeat to Wake Forest). We’ll keep the Pack in our Fab 15 for now. Of the FBS teams eligible to make our rankings (i.e. better than .500 records), we trust the Wolfpack the most to regroup and turn things around. A dominating win over Syracuse on a “Black Out” night Saturday wouldn’t surprise us at all.
12. Charlotte 49ers (3-3) | FBS
Next Game: Saturday, Oct. 19 at Navy
It’s amazing what a couple of wins will do for the mood of a program. Charlotte has been flying high since dismantling East Carolina 55-24 over the weekend (after rallying to beat Rice the week before). The Niners are now 2-0 in the American Athletic. Can Biff Poggi’s bunch make a legit title run? The road will be tough, with Navy, Memphis and Tulane on the docket after a bye week.
13. Livingstone Blue Bears (4-2) | D2
Next Game: Saturday vs. Fayetteville State
Livingstone and Johnson C. Smith played in the first known football game between HBCUs back in the 1800s. This week, both are in our Fabulous 15. Three of Livingstone’s wins have been by one score, including last Saturday’s 23-17 triumph over Elizabeth City State. Can the Bears, riding a two-game win streak, pull off a home upset this weekend?
14. Guilford Quakers (3-1) | D3
Next Game: Saturday at Randolph-Macon
The Quakers’ degree of difficulty in scheduling took a sharp upturn coming out of the bye week. Guilford, which failed to score at Hampden-Sydney, will next face a Top 25 team coming off a deep D3 playoff run a year ago.
15. Louisburg Hurricanes (4-2) | JUCO
Next Game: Saturday vs. Myrtle Beach Collegiate
Louisburg’s three-game win streak was snapped this past weekend by a tough Georgia Military College team, 38-17. The Hurricanes’ game this Saturday has changed time and location. The contest against Myrtle Beach Collegiate will be played at noon at Wake Prep Academy in Wake Forest.
Last Week’s Fabulous 15 | How They Fared
