Commonwealth Collegiate Rankings Week 5 (10-1-2026)
By: Joe Dillard Jr.
Headline Photo Credit: Riley Smith-LMS Network
Commonwealth Collegiate Rankings
Week 5: 9/29/2026
As we close out September, we are starting to see some teams ascend to the top of the conference while we are in position to again have multiple teams fight for a conference championship. This week we have some teams gaining momentum entering the middle of the conference schedule. We have some teams that just got knocked out along with a newcomer into the top ten.
Honorable Mention is William and Mary who is 2-3 however riding a three-game losing streak and will look to turn it around as they welcome Holy Cross to Zable Stadium. 3 straight 20-point defeats have the Tribe out of the top ten for the first time in the CCR.
10. Roanoke College (3-0 ODAC) Division III teams find it hard to get the recognition they deserve and, in this case, starting out 3-0 with a point differential of 117-21, then you have to keep your eyes on what the Maroons of Roanoke are up to. With a trip to Greensboro, North Carolina coming up to face Guilford College, the Maroons look to expand on an early ODAC lead in the conference. Another great showing may have them moving up as well.
9. Norfolk State (3-2 MEAC) The adjustment to the Patriot League for the Tribe will be a real thing and Fordham Rams welcomed them properly with a 52-27 thrashing at home. Hereis a thought, the Tribe could go undefeated outside of conference schedule and might have a hard time adjusting to the style of play for the teams in the Patriot League. Richmond had its struggles as well last season, and the Tribe might be on that path. If they happen to beat Duke next week then my prediction of non-conference wins and conference losses might be true.
8. Virginia State University (4-1 CIAA) Dominating Winston Salem State 49-19 puts the Trojans in position to push their way up the rankings with again a complete balanced attack as the defense has not allowed 20 points in a game outside of the South Carolina State Massacre. A trip to Rochester to face Lincoln will be the next challenge for VSU to keep rolling.
7. Virginia Union University (4-1 CIAA) Winners of four straight and two consecutive shutouts is why Union is looking to crack the top five. Handling Fayetteville State 14-0 the Panthers are poised for another conference championship but will need to continue this run deep into the playoffs. Elizabeth City State is up next and the Panthers will look to keep the momentum as they want to move up in the rankings
6. University of Richmond (4-1 Patriot) A road win is a road win and Richmond escaped town with a hard fought 13-9 win against Furman to improve to 4-1 and will be looking to continue handling business on the road as they now will go to Lafayette for the next matchup. It appears the Spiders might be back as one year adjusted to the Patriot League appears to be all they need and will look to compete for a conference title. A friendly back end of the schedule could set the Spiders up for a big run.
5. Liberty University (3-1 Con USA) Another convincing win for Liberty as they travel to Coastal Carolina and double up on them winning 34-17. This is the third straight win after fighting with JMU in the opening game of the year losing 13-20. Liberty might be on to something as they have been utilizing their strengths in running the ball. With a ton of runners in the backfield and having two players already over 200 yards, it’s obvious that Liberty is taking the defense and run game for the long ride. With a trip to Delaware up next they look to make it four in a row and really have some steam going into the middle of the conference schedule.
4. Christopher Newport University (3-0 NJAC) A huge win against Susquehanna 21-0 either means the Captains are mad and on a mission after being eliminated by Susquehanna in the playoffs last year or this is the same script from last year as they won in the regular season and then lost in the rematch which obviously had more on the line then the first one. So not too high and not too low with this win however it was on the road and that is a good sign but it’s a chance you can see them again so CNU must continue to get better each week. William Paterson University will be traveling to Newport News for a CNU homecoming.
3. University of Virginia (3-1 ACC) These are the games that in the past UVA might have struggled to get a win and with a 42-3 dominant victory against Delaware, fans should have reason to be hyped about what’s brewing in Charlottesville. Beau Pribula goes off with an efficient 24-28 passing for 279 yards and 4 touchdowns. Although Florida State is not the powerhouse of the past, this next matchup heading to Tallahassee will see how serious UVA is about making a statement in the ACC this year as it seems to be Miami and the rest. Amore balanced attack will be required in big game matchups.
2. James Madison University (4-0 Sun Belt) This was a play with your food type of game for JMU as they had control of the game from start to finish but gave up 17 first half points to only shut it down in the second with only 3. When you want to return to the playoffs, im sure your resume will be picked apart, and this was another chance to have a blowout game on the resume. Marshall will come into town and if the Dukes can start fast then expect them to finish that way as they are nipping at the top spot for the CCR.
1. Virginia Tech (4-0 ACC) 21-14 win over Boston College is closer than the Hokies anticipated however they found a star in Jeffrey Overton Jr who ran for over 200 yards and was one of the few players that Franklin wanted to stay in Blacksburg and now we know why. Virginia Tech will host Pittsburgh next week as they look to stay undefeated and move up into the top 25 as Miami is the only team in the ACC ranked. A Friday night game will put the Hokies on primetime as they will get to show the nation if they are for real or if this is year one of the Franklin era in progress. One thing for sure is that Commonwealth Cup matchup should gain national recognition if both teams continue to ascend.
