news-record.com

Heading into the final games of the college football regular season, three Big Four teams have a shot at winning this year's title ... and none of them is the defending champion.

Carolina and Wake both stand 1-0, while Duke is 1-1 and State is out of the running at 0-2 after last year's surprising success.

Carolina plays State Saturday, while Wake is matched against Duke.

A Duke victory, combined with a Carolina loss to State, would raise the Blue Devils to 2-1 and put them atop the final standings.

But if Wake wins and Carolina loses, the Deacons claim the title at 2-0.

Or if Wake loses and Carolina wins, the Tar Heels are champs at 2-0.

If Wake and Carolina both win, as favored, they'll tie at 2-0. There will be no resolution, as overinflated ACC scheduling does not allow a game between these Big Four rivals again this year.

Meanwhile, Carolina, App and East Carolina keep winning, and Elon gets back on track. Pembroke loses in the playoffs to close out a stellar season at 9-2.

Tarheel Top Ten

1. UNC, 8-3 (No. 1 last week)

2. Appalachian State, 9-2 (2)

3. East Carolina, 7-4 (3)

4. Wake, 4-7 (5)

5. Duke, 5-6 (4)

6. Elon, 9-2 (6)

7. State, 4-7 (7)

8. Gardner-Webb, 6-5 (9)

9. N.C. A&T, 5-6 (8)

10. UNC Permbroke, 9-2

Big Four

Carolina, 1-0

Wake, 1-0

Duke, 1-1

State, 0-2