The NCAA Division II Football Committee released its first regional rankings of the 2024 season on Monday, with Wingate University (7-1) securing the number one position in Super Region Two. The rankings serve as a crucial indicator for playoff positioning, with the top seven teams typically qualifying for the NCAA Division II playoffs.
The Bulldogs' top ranking puts them in prime position to potentially secure a first-round bye in the upcoming playoffs, marking another milestone in what has been a remarkable season for the North Carolina program. Wingate's defensive excellence has been a key factor in their success, as they currently lead several national statistical categories.
West Alabama (7-1) and undefeated Valdosta State (8-0) occupy the second and third spots respectively, while Johnson C. Smith (8-1) rounds out the top four. The Golden Bulls' high ranking represents a significant achievement for the Charlotte-based program only two years removed from a two-win season.
The rankings feature a strong showing from North Carolina schools, with Winston-Salem State (6-2) at seventh, and Lenoir-Rhyne (7-2) at eighth. Carson-Newman (7-1) holds the fifth position, followed by Virginia Union (7-1) and sixth while Miles (7-1) and West Florida (6-2) round out the top ten.
The playoff format for Super Region Two will see the top seed receive a first-round bye, while seeds two through four will host playoff games against lower-ranked opponents. The playoffs are scheduled to begin on November 23 at campus sites, with the second round following on November 30. The national quarterfinals will take place on December 7, leading up to the semifinals on November 14. The national championship game is set for November 21 in McKinney, Texas.
The release of these rankings sets the stage for an exciting conclusion to the regular season, as teams jockey for playoff position in the final weeks. With four North Carolina schools in the top eight, the state is well-represented in the chase for the Division II national championship.
RANK | SCHOOL | D2 RECORD | REGION RECORD | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wingate | 7-1 | 7-1 | |||
2 | West Alabama | 7-1 | 7-1 | |||
3 | Valdosta State | 8-0 | 8-0 | |||
4 | Johnson C. Smith | 8-1 | 8-1 | |||
5 | Carson-Newman | 7-1 | 6-1 | |||
6 | Virginia Union | 7-1 | 7-1 | |||
7 | Winston-Salem State | 6-2 | 5-2 | |||
8 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 7-2 | 6-2 | |||
9 | Miles | 7-1 | 7-1 | |||
10 | West Florida | 6-2 | 5-1 |