Another No. 1 team went down.
Johnson C. Smith had been a noble Fabulous 15 front-runner for multiple weeks. But a familiar nemesis, Fayetteville State, cut in on the Golden Bulls parade Saturday, defeating JCSU at its own game 27-0.
The result certainly doesn’t diminish Johnson C. Smith’s football accomplishments this season, which is why the loss won’t drop them too far in our weekly Fabulous 15 rankings. But it does open the door for a new team to assume the top spot in our weekly celebration of the state’s most successful programs.
Welcome Wingate for the first time at No. 1.
Division II and HBCU teams continue to make a solid showing, but our FBS contingent is starting to make moves up the ladder.
Here is this week’s Fabulous 15, as always sponsored by The North Carolina Sports Network, home to The David Glenn Show and the always entertaining Fifth Quarter Show with Mike Waddell and coach Jim Collins.
A few reminders about our Fab 15:
* These rankings measure the North Carolina college teams having the most special seasons. They are not necessarily a reflection of who we think would win a head-to-head match-up.
* Teams must have a .500 record or better to make the list.
* We include at least one school from each major division of play (FBS, FCS, D2, D3/NAIA/JUCO), provided they meet the other criteria.
Fabulous 15 | After Week 10
1. Wingate Bulldogs (7-1)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Newberry
The Bulldogs’ 14-10 triumph over Lenoir-Rhyne locks in their place in the SAC championship game on Nov. 16. Wingate broke into the national rankings for the first time (18th/24th) and were listed as the top seed in this week’s Super Region rankings. The ‘Dogs have two wins over Top-25 opponents and have held five teams to their lowest point totals of the season (including Lenoir-Rhyne, which also mustered their lowest rush, pass and total yardage numbers).
2. Louisburg Hurricanes (8-2)
Next Game: End of regular season
In addition to supplying great talent to four-year programs across the region, Louisburg has gotten it done on the field. The Hurricanes are one of two schools from our state right now with eight victories. The ‘Canes are tied for second in the latest NJCAA Division III national rankings with 9-1 North Dakota State College of Science. Coach Quinderra Spellman said Louisburg will play for the national championship in December if they finish in the top two of the rankings.
3. Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls (8-1)
Next Game: Saturday at Livingstone
Since the Fab 15 is about teams having special seasons, we still see the Golden Bulls as one of the best stories of 2024. The good news is that all goals remain in front of them despite the humbling loss to the Broncos. A win at Livingstone on Saturday gets them into the CIAA championship game, most likely to face Virginia Union. JCSU is still being mentioned as a possible D2 playoff qualifier, so there could be multiple post-season games awaiting coach Maurice Flowers’ group.
4. Brevard Tornados (5-2)
Next Game: Saturday at North Carolina Wesleyan
It’s a stormy Fabulous 15 right now, with Hurricanes AND Tornados in the top four. Brevard has been an offensive and special-teams juggernaut this season, averaging 37 points per game and recording multiple kick-return touchdowns. The ‘Nados sit at 5-1 in conference play, tied with LaGrange in second place in the USA South and a half-game behind 5-0 Maryville.
5. Western Carolina Catamounts (5-4)
Next Game: Saturday at East Tennessee State
Expect Kerwin Bell’s name to come up as the coaching carousel begins to spin this fall and winter. He’s installed a potent offense in Cullowhee, which led FCS in total yards a year ago and didn’t flinch when starting quarterback Cole Gonzales was unavailable Saturday. His backup, Taron Dickens, went for 400+ passing yards and five TDs, and WCU kept its FCS playoff hopes alive with a key victory over nationally ranked Chattanooga.
6. Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (7-2)
Next Game: Saturday at Catawba
Our Fabulous 15 champion from 2023 got knocked out of the running to defend its conference championship by rival Wingate. The Bears still have the chance to make the post-season with a win in its regular season finale. Lenoir-Rhyne was listed eighth in the most recent Super Region rankings (seven schools from each region make the 28-team D2 field). Wingate traveled a similar path a few years ago, advancing to the playoffs despite not playing for the conference title — then went on to the D2 quarterfinals.
7. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-4)
Next Game: Friday vs. California
The Deacs have won three of the last four, with all three victories coming by four points or less. With North Carolina, Miami and Duke on deck after this weekend, securing a victory against a team at the bottom of the ACC standings is a must to keep bowl hopes alive. Demond Claiborne averages 120.1 yards rushing per game. Nick Andersen leads the ACC in total tackles, 10.3 per contest.
8. North Carolina Central Eagles (6-3)
Next Game: Friday, Nov. 15 vs. Howard
Thursday’s 24-21 loss at South Carolina State really stung. It put North Carolina Central behind the eight-ball in the race for the MEAC title and it may be too much to overcome for the Eagles to have a chance at the FCS playoffs. The Bulldogs stymied NCCU’s offense for much of three quarters, building a 24-7 lead. Central has to win its last two and hope for help to earn a post-season trip this fall.
9. NC State Wolfpack (5-4)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Duke
The Pack gave Stanford a rude awakening to ACC football, putting up a conference program-best 59 points in the victory. CJ Bailey continued his progression toward being an elite quarterback, leaving many to ask what kind of NIL deal will need to materialize to keep him in Raleigh for 2025. Before dealing with that, the Pack will seek some get-back for last year’s poor performance in Durham.
10. Duke Blue Devils (6-3)
Next Game: Saturday at NC State
How close the Devils are to being a seven- or eight-win team right now. Duke had a chance to beat SMU in regulation a few weeks back (losing in OT by 1) and led Miami by double digits in the second half before the bottom fell out. The schedule doesn’t get easier with a road trip to Carter-Finley on tap this week. Bowl eligibility is secure, now the focus is on winning the mythical state championship.
11. Winston-Salem State Rams (6-3)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Fayetteville State
The Rams may not have climbed all the way back to the top of the CIAA, but they made progress this season. Their CIAA finale, which also is homecoming, gives WSSU the chance to end a four-game losing streak to Fayetteville State. A trip to the playoffs aren’t out of the picture either. The Rams are listed seventh in the latest Super Region rankings — one spot ahead of Lenoir-Rhyne.
12. Shaw Bears (6-4)
Next Game: Season complete
Shaw definitely exceeded our expectations, winning six games for the first time since 2021. They ended a drought against Fayetteville State, topped preseason SIAC favorite Albany State in a 43-40 September shootout and grinded out a 24-17 triumph against Livingstone in the finale. The Bears, picked seventh in the conference, earned a 4-3 record and currently sit in fifth in the standings.
13. Mars Hill Lions (4-3)
Next Game: Saturday at Anderson
Mars Hill has been picking up steam since its choppy start to the season. The Lions had two September bye weeks and saw its Sept. 28 game against Wingate canceled. At 0-2 heading into October, Mars Hill has won three games and came within a point of toppling current Mountain Division leader Carson-Newman. There is still an outside shot the Lions make the SAC title game, but it would take C-N suffering an improbable defeat this Saturday at 1-7 Tusculum. But it’s college football – crazier things have happened!
14. North Carolina Tar Heels (5-4)
Next Game: Saturday, Nov. 16 vs. Wake Forest
Left for scraps after a four-game losing skid, coach Mack Brown’s team has discovered a new punch. The Heels have won twice on the road, including adding to Florida State’s misery, 35-11, this past Saturday in Tallahassee. Running back Omarion Hampton powers the offense, while Kaimon Rucker and Beau Atkinson have given life to the defense, which has only allowed 25 points the past eight quarters.
15. Fayetteville State Broncos (4-4)
Next Game: Saturday at Winston-Salem State
The OG of the CIAA’s former Southern Division, Fayetteville State may have lost a few steps this season but showed it still had some punches left against Johnson C. Smith. The Broncos held JCSU to 30 rushing yards and thwarted two red zone trips. FSU can end the regular season by spoiling another rival’s final home game.
