Commonwealth Collegiate Rankings Week 12 (11-17-2025)
By: Joe Dillard Jr.
Headline Photo Credit: Arturo Jones-LMS Network
Championship games have been played, others have clinched the regular-season title and a spot in the title game, while some are fighting and clawing their way through the schedule to see if they get a chance to advance and play for some gold. The rest might be in the top ten but will be playing their last game and will watch how the rest of the state competes in these upcoming weeks. One thing is for sure that every new number one stayed at least the following week, and that shall continue. Here is the list and what we have for week 11 in the CCR. The top five all have 9 wins or more which is why we are one of the best football states in America!
10. Liberty University (4-6) Losers of two straight have Liberty starting our top ten off with the hopes of them making a bowl appearance winning the last two as they fell short 27-34 against FIU on the road in Miami. It does not get easier as the Flames get right back on the road for the fourth of five games in November and this could be them running out of gas as they have competed just haven’t had the big plays when they needed them. Louisiana Tech is up next as Liberty travels to Ruston, Louisiana to try and stay above .500 in the conference. Winning this week will keep them inside the top ten but a loss here would almost keep them out of the top ten for the second season of the CCR.
9. University of Richmond (6-5) In a tough-fought battle, Richmond falls short 28-35 to Lafayette, who was a tough opponent, and this was one of the better performances from the Spider offense. All three phases have to come together in this conference to compete for a conference title as Richmond is learning. Finishing the conference with a 3-4 record they look to take their frustration out on an old foe in William and Mary in the Capital Cup. This would have both teams finish 7-5 and surely believe the winner will be ranked higher. It’s been obvious that they made the right decision moving on as the program has new goals and will have to level up to compete with the likes of Lafayette and Lehigh.
8. Shenandoah College (8-2) To make an appearance at the eight slot speaks volumes for what the Hornets of Shenandoah College were able to accomplish this season. On senior day, the seniors finished their final season 5-0 at home defeating Washington and Lee 17-14 winning the tiebreaker for finishing second in the conference, and they should have something to look forward to next season to build on. Almost gives you 70’s-90’s football playoff positions where 8-2 is a great season but you will not be advancing into the playoffs. Luckily, the Chesapeake Challenge is in full effect as we mentioned this last week, and how teams would receive a chance for another game and gold to claim. They will face Wilkes University in what will be the Cap Henry Bowl. Hopefully, they build on this looking to make a playoff appearance or ODAC title next year against powerhouse Randolph-Macon.
6t. College of William and Mary (7-4) Winners of three straight and undefeated at home (5-0) the Tribe went up I-64 to let Hampton know they are a couple of years away from the program they want to be handing them a 55-14 beatdown. The real credit to the CAA is that they have three teams nationally ranked in the top 11 which leaves William and Mary 4th in the conference with a 6-2 record and received 2 votes for the top 25 FCS Coaches Poll. Up next is a familiar opponent as the Tribe will host Richmond and put their three-game winning streak and home undefeated record on the line. A win here will place them in the top 25 and will be a great finish for the Tribe who look to finish 8-4 and see where the dominoes fall for in conference placing and national ranking. They are tied with our other 6th-ranked team as they both have 3-game winning streaks and have not lost at home while having the same number of wins.
6t. Old Dominion University (7-3) I know Monarch nation doesn’t want to hear this however the James Madison butt-kicking propelled Old Dominion to win the next three games outscoring the opponent 88-27. Troy caught a donut as the Monarch won 33-0 and improved to 4-2 in conference play. The SunBelt conference is kind of weird this season as they have it split into two divisions and guess what, one is dominant while the other pads stats and victories. Right now, the Monarchs are third in the East division behind JMU and Coastal Carolina who they beat but could possibly be the second-best team in the conference. The second-place team in the West division is Troy, and we saw the score of that game so yeah they have every right to state their case as the better team on the risebut both will need to win in order to see how this ranking shakes out.
5. Virginia Union University #17 (9-2) The Panthers essentially went on the road to learn about themselves while trying to three-peat a CIAA championship and they ended up getting one of the two on that list as Jonhson C Smith wins the CIAA title beating the Panthers 45-21 lead by Kelvin Durham throwing 5 touchdowns on the panthers defense while most of the stats were even the Golden Bulls were the ones to take advantage of big plays while leaving the Panthers in question of a pass defense and sustaining the time of possession as a passing team had the same time of possession as Virginia Union. It appears that this was only a one-seed drop as the Golden Bulls are a 2-seed while the Panthers are the 3-seed. Both teams win and we will have a rematch of the CIAA title game in the second round of a field of 32. One thing is for sure, the Panthers will come out firing on all cylinders next week as they host California University of Pennsylvania in the first round of the playoffs on November 22 at 1 pm. Hopefully, a little home cooking will get the Panthers back on a mission.
4. Randolph Macon College #17 (9-1) Clinching the ODAC Championship against Hampton Sydney with a 42-14-win capping off an undefeated season in conference play, the YellowJackets handled business and still find themselves traveling on the road in a field of 40 teams in the NCAA Division III championships. This is why if that 10-0 loss had been a win against a good team they might have been in the top 5 but losing and then running the table to play catch-up in national rankings puts you on the road. They will travel to Ohio and face number 8 in the nation John Carroll University in the second round so technically they got a bye but hopefully they match up well in this game as they have two weeks to prepare for battle. A win would most likely put them against nationally ranked number 2 Mount Union. No road is easy, but I am sure the YellowJackets will be ready to bring the sting to Ohio.
3. University of Virginia #19 (9-2) After laying an offensive egg against Wake Forest, Virginia showed what they could bring to the ACC title game and the National Championship playoff beating Duke 34-17. This was a big win and statement win for the WaHoo Nation as they look to have all the momentum heading into the matchup of the year and the most important game in years for UVA. The Commonwealth Clash is a battle that has been dominated by Virginia Tech, and this year seems to be the year UVA should change that. Again, this is a trap game as the standings in the ACC are tight with four teams having just one loss. The problem is UVA has no games against the other three teams and this makes the strength in schedule look weak which is why they have to win and force the issue to get an ACC title chance along with a potential National Championship run. Exercise the demons of the past and handle the Hokies and I am sure the dominoes will fall in your favor. But that’s why we play the game.
2. Christopher Newport University #7 (10-0) If not for the success of James Madison and what they are accomplishing, this could have easily been a year where the number one team could have been a Division III team. Christopher Newport has done nothing but storm by all competition and knocked off the number 4 team in the nation which means this could be a year they bring the title back to Newport News, Virginia. With a season-ending win against the College of New Jersey on the road 27-7, positions the Captains with a first-round bye and sends the whole fleet over to watch the Susquehanna versus Washington & Jefferson game as they host the winner. 5 wins would cap off a national title but they have to start with the prep for the first game with two weeks to be ready for their opponent.
1. James Madison University #22 (9-1) Introduce the Dukes to the nation and all they do is show you why they deserve a seat at the table winning 58-10 against App State which moves them up to number 22 in the nation and looking for more. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a great showing against Washington State that they move up multiple spots heading into the post-season. They host Washington State and hopefully, they continue handling business as the nation opens its eyes to this great James Madison football team. The last four weeks have been the dominance that gets you national attention as they outscored their opponents 208-80! Yes, four weeks averaging 52 points per game so why not be number one on the CCR and slowly gaining traction on the national championship playoffs. They will be a conference champion with one loss, and it will be hard not to have them in the conversation for a playoff appearance. Long road ahead and business starts with Washington State this week.
