Commonwealth Collegiate Rankings Week 7 (10-15-2025)
By: Joe Dillard Jr.
Headline Photo Credit: Jason Wiley-LMS Network
With over half of the season decided, we can finally evaluate which of the best teams are coming out of the state. We take a look at the Division II and III schools this week as we have teams gearing up for a playoff run while others are searching for an identity. We can only bring up the honorable mentions as we have VMI who is still looking for their second win along with Norfolk State who both beat division II teams as their only win. We have a surging and experienced Randolph Macon team at 5-1 taking the last spot of Honorable Mentions as they made the top ten last season and found themselves in a great position to make another run in the postseason.
10. Christopher Newport University (5-0) With a 69-7 win on the road against Vermont State University Castleton, the Captains have steamrolled themselves into the top ten at the 10 spot. The Captains scored 246 points in five games averaging 49.2 and only gave up 19.2 which is dominance, and they also have a signature win against then-ranked 13 Susquehanna University (which makes me happen this is an article and not an audio recording). The Captains will host Kean University for homecoming and will look to continue their dominance and see if they can move up further in the rankings.
9. Hampton University (2-4) The Captains seem to be lending the Pirates an anchor out on the James River as they have caught up to Hampton in the poll and with a 21-38 loss at home to Campbell, the Pirates will be looking at slipping right out of the top ten. The defense has allowed almost 30 points a game and that’s not winning football by any means. They only have a win against a Division II school and NSU whose only win is against a Division II school. Traveling to Villanova will either slingshot them up in the pole with a win, however a loss will put them on the outside looking in.
8. Liberty University (2-4) Coming off a 19-8 win on the road against the University of Texas El Paso, the Flames come in at 8 and will have a chance to make up some ground if they can string a couple in a row. They must focus on playing four quarters of football and then being able to live with the results. They host New Mexico State and will need a solid performance to move up in the rankings. Winning at least keeps you at 8 but the Flame have a lot more ball to play. Sitting at 2-1 in conference play gives them the belief to make a late run at a conference title.
7. Virginia Tech (2-5) Probably the squad with the most talent however, the most notable 2-win team will not be leaning on the win against the only team to beat UVA this season in North Carolina State. The Hokies are on a 2-game losing streak heading into a bye week and will look to take down Cal on the other side of this bye week. Urgency is an understatement for one of the state’s highest institutions. There is not much to express here but putting a game plan together where those kids can play fast and free.
6. William and Mary (3-3) Outside of the beatdown from UVA, the Tribe were competitive in every game. The only thing is they have not won two in a row at all. The thing is they have not lost at home yet and have done a great job defending home turf. Since we will stay with the home theme, they will host Elon for homecoming, and it should be an opportunity for the Tribe to play complementary football. A win here should give them a chance in the top five but two in a row right now will put them in the top 5 as more in-state games are being played.
5. University of Richmond (4-3) This has been a tricky season for the Spiders as they started with a tough in-conference game against a ranked team and then travelled to Wofford and then to UNC. On the third attempt to gain a conference win, Richmond got a 24-19 win against Colgate which might start something here as they have a make-or-break game as they host a winless Holy Cross team that has been tough and competed all season long. A win would bring them to .500 in the conference and momentum to finish strong with 3 of the 4 conference games at home ahead.
4. Old Dominion University (4-2) Marshall took the air out of what could have been the game of the state dominating ODU 48-24 moving the Monarch down a slot however with James Madison up next on the road, there’s no better scenario to move back up than getting a major road win this week. With a loss against Indiana which has not lost and 2-0 in the state, a win here puts ODU back in the driver’s seat. All games left are conference games and will all be vital to the position for a Sun Belt championship and a top ranking here.
3. Virginia Union University (5-1) Respect is earned and not given as the Panthers of Virginia Union have done more than enough over Dr. Alvin Parker’s tenure posting a 56-16 record up to this point and they show no signs of slowing down with a 37-18 victory against Elizabeth City State University on the road. The Panthers have just gone on the road for three straight weeks and recorded dominant wins outscoring their opponent 140-59. If that’s not worthy of recognition, then I don’t know what is. The Panthers are ranked 17th on the Division II polls and still appear to be hungry.
2. James Madison (5-1) The Dukes are cruising with fashion beating Louisiana 24-14 making them winners of four straight and looking to be the top team in the SunBelt Conference. With a huge matchup against in-state conference foe ODU, the Dukes are looking to solidify their claim for a conference title and a chance to make a splash in the postseason. They have already got out to a 3-0 conference record and will be looking to stay undefeated at home as this will be homecoming week and I am sure things will be rocking in Harrisonburg.
1. University of Virginia (5-1) One week at a time and with that approach, UVA is ranked 18th in the nation and handled a tough road win against Louisville in overtime 30-27 which makes them 3-0 in ACC play. With only 2 road games played, the road is always lonely, but they will need to bring that complementary football on the road and should make the state proud as a potential playoff team to compete for the National Championship. Up next is Washington State at home and this is just as important as all the other games now that you have national recognition.
