Commonwealth Collegiate Rankings Week 9 (10-29-2026)
Commonwealth Collegiate Rankings Week 9 (10-29-2026)
By: Joe Dillard Jr.
Headline Photo Credit: Darrell Owens-LMS Network
Commonwealth Collegiate Rankings
Week 9 10/27/2026
A new number one for the first time and we will see if they are up for the challenge as we are steadily approaching playoff football. With 7 teams still in contention for a conference title, there is very little room for the rest of the bunch. William and Mary is our Honorable Mention this week as we continue to emphasize how hard it is to change conferences and still be successful. The Tribe are 2-1 outside of the Patriot League and have dropped another one to fall to 1-4 in conference, allowing Georgetown to come into town and leave with a 28-27 victory. 3-5 with a slim chance to go above .500. With all Patriot League games left we will see how they hold up.
10. University of Virginia (4-4 ACC) With a 16-19 loss to Duke, the Hoos find themselves at the bottom of the rankings as they are on a two-game losing streak and it doesn’t look any better as 14th-ranked Wake Forest welcomes the Cavaliers for a battle in Winston-Salem.
9. Norfolk State (4-4 MEAC) Loss to South Carolina State keeps things in perspective as that was a tough road matchup and it showed but could have been worse. With Delaware State coming up at Lincoln Financial, this could be a statement game for the Spartans.
8. Hampton-Sydney (6-1 ODAC) Hampton-Sydney jumped on Washington and Lee on the road to hold on to a 31-28 win. The Tigers are winners of 6 straight and are the only team in the ODAC without a conference loss. Next up is Averett at home and they will need to continue rolling as they are in prime position to win the conference and make a playoff run.
7. Virginia Tech (6-2 ACC) 20-16 victory against Clemson leads the Hokies into another key road matchup as they face SMU who is looking to make an ACC championship appearance as the Mustangs control their own destiny. A win here would just prove that the Hokies are gaining momentum to finish the season strong as they have won two in a row.
6. Virginia Union University (7-1 CIAA) Virginia Union has not allowed double digits in five straight weeks beating Shaw University on homecoming day for the Panthers 49-6. A trip to Philly as they play Lincoln University before what could be the game of the year in the state with Virginia State up following the Lions of Lincoln. Hopefully not a trap game as that matchup will be classic.
5. Virginia State University (7-1 CIAA) With a monstrous victory on the road against Shaw 76-13, the Trojans had a bye week as they finish with Johnson C Smith on the road and could be a tough one before what could be the CIAA championship before the title game in VSU vs VUU. Both teams are moving up but eventually one will have to fall.
4. University of Richmond (6-2 Patriot) Back in the winning column as the Spiders tangle with Colgate 13-6 in a dogfight. After a bye week hopefully that little bit of rust will regain traction as they are tied in first place with Lehigh and will look to continue the Patriot redemption tour as they travel to Holy Cross.
3. Liberty University (6-1 Con USA) After a dominating victory against Kennesaw State, the Flames are atop Conference USA standings tied for first place. Florida International comes into town and will have to deal with Liberty’s offense which has scored 30-plus points in the last 5 games. That defense has kept it up not allowing 20 points during that same stretch.
2. James Madison University (7-1 Sun Belt) A heartbreaker down in Boone, North Carolina as the Dukes fall in overtime 34-31 to Appalachian State ending their perfect run and now having lost control of the conference title as they will need a loss from App State since they don’t have the tiebreaker. Back in Harrisonburg to host Troy, the Dukes will look to regain momentum heading into November.
1. Christopher Newport University (7-0 NJAC) Honestly, we need to give the CNU coaching staff credit as they were up 49-6 at half and oddsmakers say they could have scored 100 if they tried. The Captains are poised for a deep playoff run; however, with three more games, they need to stay hungry and continue to improve as those wins don’t travel in the playoffs. Another homestand this week against Rowan University will be another dress rehearsal to make sure the Captains play every snap.
