In the electrifying arena of Division III college football, North Central College is still reigning supreme at the top of the national rankings – but is this dominance as straightforward as it seems? Dive in with us as we unpack the latest buzz from the polls, and you might just find yourself questioning what really makes a team number one.
Steve Woltmann
October 6, 2025, at 4:00 PM
NAPERVILLE – The newest set of national rankings has kept North Central College firmly planted in the top spot. Both the D3football.com poll, which came out on Sunday, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) rankings, revealed Monday afternoon, show the undefeated Cardinals holding onto their position as the country's premier team. For those new to college football, these rankings are like a popularity contest among experts and coaches, where teams earn points based on votes to determine who's considered the best in Division III – a level where schools prioritize academics alongside athletics, without the big-money scholarships you see in higher divisions.
Wheaton College, who suffered a decisive 35-0 defeat to the Cardinals last Saturday in the iconic Battle for the Little Brass Bell rivalry game, has slipped significantly. They now sit at #19 in the D3football.com poll and #24 in the coaches' rankings. This matchup, steeped in tradition, highlights how one game can shake up the standings, reminding us that football is as much about heart and strategy as it is about stats.
North Central maintained their status as the unanimous top pick in the AFCA poll and secured 23 out of 25 first-place votes in the D3football.com rankings. Their point totals stayed exactly the same as the previous week, showing a consistent level of support from voters. But here's where it gets controversial – does this unwavering top spot reflect true superiority, or could it be influenced by regional biases or the strength of their conference? Many fans debate whether rankings truly capture a team's grit or if they're just a snapshot in time.
Meanwhile, Washington University in St. Louis, who edged out Illinois Wesleyan 42-40 last Saturday, earned nine points in the coaches' poll. That's the 11th-highest total among teams not currently ranked, suggesting they're building momentum and could be on the rise. This kind of close game underscores the unpredictability of Division III football, where underdogs often surprise the favorites.
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The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) has been a cornerstone of collegiate sports since its establishment in 1946. Today, it proudly supports nine member institutions, fostering competition and camaraderie among them. These include Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois; Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin; Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin; Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, Illinois; Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois; Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois; North Central College right here in Naperville, Illinois; North Park University in Chicago, Illinois; and Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. For beginners, think of the CCIW as a family of schools that compete in various sports, emphasizing balance between academics and athletics – it's not just about winning games, but building character and community.
And this is the part most people miss – while North Central's streak is impressive, some argue that the CCIW's competitive landscape might give teams like the Cardinals an edge over those in tougher conferences. Is this fair play, or does it skew the national picture? What do you think – should rankings account for conference strength, or is raw performance enough? Share your thoughts in the comments below; we'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a fresh take on what makes a true champion in D3 football!
