Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

D3football.com Rankings
AFCA Rankings

Oct. 5, 2026 - Entering one of the most anticipated Little Brass Bell matchups in the history of the series, the North Central College football team remains the No. 1 team in NCAA Division III, D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced ahead of Week 6.

The Cardinals are 4-0, earning wins over No. 2 Bethel University and No. 9 Wartburg College before opening College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play with a 2-0 record. North Central also continues the longest conference winning streak in league history, having won 53 straight CCIW contests.

Wheaton College enters both polls ranked No. 2, making Saturday's game the highest-ranked matchup between the two programs in the 126-year rivalry. North Central has won the past five Little Brass Bell games, including a 35-0 victory over the Thunder last season.

Following North Central and Wheaton is St. John's University at No. 3 after its win over Bethel. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville and UW-Whitewater round out the top five in both polls. The Cardinals secured all 53 first-place votes in the AFCA poll and 24 of 25 first-place votes in the D3football.com rankings.

Kickoff for the 107th matchup between the two programs, and the 77th since the Little Brass Bell Trophy was added to the rivalry, is set for 6 p.m. inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.