HARRISONBURG – Last weekend provided a thriller as Richmond knocked off Albany in double overtime to stay alive in the CAA title race.
Each week, the DN-R will put out its CAA power rankings to reflect which squads are trending in the right direction, and which ones aren’t.
Here’s our power rankings following Week 6:
1 – James Madison
Record: 5-0 (2-0 CAA)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: Saturday vs. Villanova
Busy bye week for the defending champs. The Dukes got an early jump on Villanova, and oh yeah, ESPN’s College GameDay decided to come to town to see if the Dukes can push the nation’s longest active winning streak in Division I to 18 straight victories when JMU hosts Villanova.
2 – New Hampshire
Record: 4-1 (2-0 CAA)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: Saturday at Stony Brook
New Hampshire quarterback Trevor Knight is much improved through five games. The Wildcats signal-caller has thrown 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions this season. All of last season, Knight threw just 14 touchdowns, but also threw 10 interceptions.
3 – Elon
Record: 5-1 (3-0 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 25-17 vs. William & Mary
This Week: Idle
The biggest lost for Elon since its opener came this week when coach Curt Cignetti announced Phoenix running back Malcolm Summers, who leads all of FCS with 755 rushing yards, would be out for year with a hamstring injury. He ran for 81 yards and two touchdowns in Elon’s road win at William & Mary. Winners of five straight, Elon is now on its bye week.
4 – Villanova
Record: 4-2 (2-1 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 31-0 vs. Maine
This Week: Saturday at James Madison
In the last month, Villanova’s defense has notched two shutouts, the latest a 31-0 blanking of Maine, and has given up just 19 points during the four-game stretch. Wildcats have a tough test Saturday though, on the road at No. 1 JMU.
5 – Delaware
Record: 3-2 (1-1 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 24-20 at Stony Brook
This Week: Saturday vs. William & Mary
Delaware bounced back after a tough home loss to JMU in Week 5 with a comeback road win at Stony Brook this past Saturday. Blue Hens linebacker Troy Reeder racked up 12 tackles and forced a fumble that led to Malcolm Brown’s 45-yard scoop-and-score that helped Delaware storm back to win.
6 – Richmond
Record: 3-2 (1-1 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 41-38 (2OT) vs. Albany
This Week: Saturday at Towson
It was a much-needed win for Richmond this past Saturday and the Spiders had to fight to get it. Trailing 31-21 in the fourth quarter, Richmond scored 20 of the game’s final 27 points to rally past Albany for a double overtime win.
7 – Stony Brook
Record: 4-2 (3-1 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 24-20 vs. Delaware
This Week: Saturday vs. New Hampshire
Leading 20-7 at the half, Stony Brook failed to close out Delaware and lost a chance at beginning the year 4-0 in CAA play. The SeaWolves have an opportunity to stay in the CAA title race this week, though, if they can beat New Hampshire.
8 – Albany
Record: 3-3 (1-2 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 41-38 (2OT) at Richmond
This Week: Idle
Albany went from a Top 25 team, to a team that’s lost its last two games by a touchdown or less. Coach Greg Gattuso and his Great Danes are close, but they have to start finishing games if they want to stay in the race.
9 – Maine
Record: 1-3 (0-3 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 31-0 at Villanova
This Week: Saturday vs. Rhode Island
Woof. Maine looked good in its Week 4 loss at top-ranked James Madison, but turnovers and mistakes killed the Black Bears in their blowout defeat at Villanova this past Saturday. During the league’s weekly teleconference, second-year coach Joe Harasymiak pulled a Jim Mora and said he can’t even think about playoffs anymore. Maine just needs a win this week.
10 – William & Mary
Record: 2-3 (0-2 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 25-17 at Elon
This Week: Saturday at Delaware
William & Mary has lost two tough ones in a row, at Elon and a home game to Stony Brook. The Tribe get another challenge Saturday when they travel to Newark, Del., to face the Blue Hens – a team playing extremely well on defense.
11 – Towson
Record: 2-3 (0-2 CAA)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: Saturday vs. Richmond
Off its bye week, Towson gets Richmond at home this week. Coach Rob Ambrose and company will need to put together strong efforts over the next month so they just have a shot to win. After the Spiders, Towson plays at New Hampshire before hosting Delaware and taking a trip to Elon.
12 – Rhode Island
Record: 1-4 (0-2 CAA)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: Saturday at Maine
Rhode Island is last in the CAA in turnover margin. During his team’s bye week, coach Jim Fleming said the Rams have to figure out their turnover problems.
