Folks, gather ‘round.
In 2024, only one North Carolina team got to hold up a conference championship trophy. That was Wingate, bless ‘em, puffin’ celebratory cigars like they’d just won the Super Bowl (and let’s be honest, they might’ve). But if you think that’s all we’ve got here in the Old North State, you haven’t been paying attention.
This year? Seven teams. I see seven schools from sea to mountain that are ready to crash the gates, blow the roof off their respective conference and hoist some serious hardware.
Let’s run it down — and yeah, I said conference champs. Don’t @ me. This is Steve Victory (yes, that is my real last name), and I believe.
1. Western Carolina (7–5 last year, but that was just a warm-up)
The Catamounts haven’t won the Southern Conference since the dinosaurs roamed Cullowhee. But that ends now. Kerwin Bell has this offense humming like a moonshine still on homecoming weekend. And if the defense keeps improving under Jerry “Clamp It Down” Odom, they’re about to make the SoCon theirs.
Underrated? Underestimated? Not for long. Mark it down: Purple reign incoming.
2. North Carolina Central (8–3 and still mad about it)
You think Coach Trei Oliver is just gonna let a couple of celebrity hires in the MEAC take the spotlight? No sir. NCCU has unfinished business after finishing second the last two years, and the whole squad’s coming back like they’ve been personally insulted by every preseason poll.
Give the Eagles a trophy and a mic — this is their league until proven otherwise.
3. Wingate (9–2 and back for more)
You think the Bulldogs are satisfied with just one trophy? Nah. That defense was a war machine last year, and even though they lose Marquise Fleming, they’ve got more dudes waiting in the kennel.
Coach Rashaan Jordan is gonna keep that SAC title in North Carolina, and he’s got a chew toy with the names of every other team in the league written on it.
4. Lenoir-Rhyne (10–3 and loading the cannons again)
If Wingate slips, LR’s kicking the door off the hinges. The Bears are built to maul — and don’t forget, they won the SAC in 2023. Doug Socha’s got fire in his belly and depth on the two-deep.
Also, Nov. 1: Wingate vs Lenoir-Rhyne. Cancel your plans. Build a shrine. This one might shake the Earth’s crust.
5. Johnson C. Smith (8–2 with a vengeance)
Look, the Golden Bulls were rolling last season. 8–0 start. Took down Virginia Union and Virginia State like it was nothing. Then they hit a bump — two losses, heartbreak, no title game appearance. No playoffs.
This year? Different energy. They remember. They’re furious. And I swear, this is the most dangerous Johnson C. Smith team since the invention of shoulder pads. Put it in PEN. They’re going to Durham on CIAA title weekend.
6. UNC Pembroke (6–5 and now in a new neighborhood)
UNCP walks into Conference Carolinas like that scene in every Western where the music stops and someone mutters, “Who’s that?”
They’re that guy. The Braves scored 56 points a game down the stretch last year. That’s not a typo. They’ll need a new QB, sure, but Mark Hall has gas in the tank and fireworks in the locker room. If they get rolling? Just stay out of the way.
7. Brevard (6–3 and way too slept on)
Maryville’s gone, folks. The 2024 kings of the USA South have left the building, and Brevard’s standing on the throne already picking out drapes.
The Tornados have been quietly stacking wins and Coach Bill Khayat doesn’t do losing seasons. This team’s ready, and they don’t need a lot of hype. But guess what? They’re getting it from me anyway.
BONUS: Teams That Will Definitely Go Undefeated If The Universe Would Just Cooperate
- Duke (9–4) – Somehow doesn’t play FSU, Miami or Louisville. I’ve read rom-coms with tougher paths to glory.
- App State (5–6) – Rebuild? Nah. They’re just letting the suspense build. By October, new chief Dowell Loggains and company will be wrecking Sun Belt dreams again.
- Elon (6–6) – Nobody likes to play Elon. Nobody, especially if they’re ranked. That’s why they’re dangerous. They upset people for fun.
- Fayetteville State (4–5) – Last year? Glitch in the Matrix. This year? Got their eyes on being the CIAA’s bouncer once again.
- Winston-Salem State (7–3) – Got robbed of a playoff bid in 2024. Let’s right some wrongs in Durham this fall. Two NC teams in the CIAA title game? I say yes.
Final Thoughts from Steve Victory
Are all these teams gonna win their conferences? Technically no.
Do I care? Absolutely not.
Because this is North Carolina college football, and we don’t play by your rules — we just show up, ball out and make history. Then swig a Cheerwine and cue the fight song.
See y’all at the trophy ceremonies. I’m bringing a folding chair and a trumpet.
About Steve Victory
Steve Victory is a full-throttle, flag-waving, Bojangles-fueled, foam-finger-wearing superfan who believes North Carolina should be the center of the college football universe — and he’s not entirely wrong. His columns are chaotic, passionate and 100% Old North State homerism (because, why not?) – best enjoyed with a Cheerwine in hand and a schedule taped to the fridge.
