JMU Stays On Top, But Blue Hens Move Up In CAA Power Rankings

And the Blue Hens’ most recent win has catapulted them up to No. 2 the DN-R CAA Power rankings behind No. 1 James Madison, where the Dukes have stayed all season long.

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 8:

1 – James Madison

Record: 7-0 (4-0 CAA)

Last Week: Win, 46-14 at William & Mary

This Week: Saturday vs. New Hampshire

James Madison has recorded 12 sacks and forced nine turnovers over the last two weeks as the defending national champion continues to be led by its defense. Of the 46 points the team scored at William & Mary, 33 points came off of turnovers.

2 – Delaware

Record: 5-2 (3-1 CAA)

Last Week: Win, 42-35 (2OT) vs. Richmond

This Week: Saturday at Towson

Coach Danny Rocco got his first signature win at Delaware after beating the Richmond program he left behind for his new job. The Blue Hens are solid on defense and may have found a quarterback for the offense to rely on. Junior J.P. Caruso, an Appalachian State transfer, threw for three touchdowns in the double overtime victory over the Spiders.

3 – Elon

Record: 6-1 (4-0 CAA)

Last Week: Win, 35-34 at Rhode Island

This Week: Saturday at Villanova

Sophomore running back De’Sean McNair’s fourth-quarter touchdown run gave Elon a lead it wouldn’t relinquish in a back-and-forth road win at Rhode Island. Elon, fortunate to squeak by the last-place Rams, benefited from URI’s missed extra point earlier in the game. The league will find out more about the Phoenix over the last four weeks as they still have to play at Villanova, at New Hampshire and against James Madison.

4 – Villanova

Record: 4-3 (2-2 CAA)

Last Week: Idle

This Week: Saturday vs. Elon

The Wildcats come off a bye needing a win. Villanova can bounce back after a loss at JMU this Saturday when it hosts Elon for homecoming.

5 – Stony Brook

Record: 5-2 (4-1 CAA)

Last Week: Idle

This Week: Saturday at Richmond

Stony Brook has had an extra week to prepare for Richmond and get the Spiders at a time when they’re coming off an emotional double-overtime loss to their former coach.

6 – Richmond

Record: 4-3 (2-2 CAA)

Last Week: Loss, 42-35 (2OT) at Delaware

This Week: Saturday vs. Stony Brook

In danger of missing out on the postseason for the first time since 2013, it doesn’t get any easier for Richmond. The Spiders probably need to win two of their last four contest – vs. Stony Brook, at Villanova, at James Madison and vs. William & Mary – to have a crack at the playoffs.

7 – New Hampshire

Record: 5-2 (3-1 CAA)

Last Week: Win, 40-17 vs. Towson

This Week: Saturday at James Madison

Both times New Hampshire has lost this year, the Wildcats have followed with convincing wins, which is a good sign. After losing a tough road contest at Stony Brook, New Hampshire dominated in a 40-17 win against Towson.

8 – Maine

Record: 3-3 (2-3 CAA)

Last Week: Win, 12-10 at Albany

This Week: Saturday vs. William & Mary

After an embarrassing blowout loss at Villanova in Week 6, Maine has showed resiliency to win two straight beating Rhode Island and Albany. The Black Bears did it with defense this past Saturday against the Great Danes, limiting Albany to 262 total yards of offense and a 1-of-12 third-down conversion rate.

9 – Albany

Record: 3-4 (1-3 CAA)

Last Week: Loss, 12-10 vs. Maine

This Week: Saturday vs. Rhode Island

Since its upset win over Villanova in Week 4, Albany has lost three straight and put itself in an almost impossible spot to reach the playoffs from. For a season that began promising, the Great Danes are clearly trending downward.

10 – William & Mary

Record: 2-5 (0-4 CAA)

Last Week: Loss, 46-14 vs. James Madison

This Week: Saturday at Maine

Longtime coach Jimmye Laycock is back to where he started with his quarterback situation. The Tribe juggled through three signal-callers – freshman Shon Mitchell, sophomore Brandon Battle and junior Tommy McKee – in its loss to James Madison.

11 – Towson

Record: 2-5 (0-4 CAA)

Last Week: Loss, 40-17 at New Hampshire

This Week: Saturday vs. Delaware

Towson scored its first offensive touchdown since Week 5 this past Saturday when quarterback Ryan Stover connected with wide receiver Sam Gallahan for an 18-yard score with less than four minutes to play in the Tigers’ loss to New Hampshire.

12 – Rhode Island

Record: 1-6 (0-4 CAA)

Last Week: Loss, 35-34 vs. Elon

This Week: Saturday at Albany

The Rams had their chance, but came up short in a battle with Elon. Junior quarterback JaJuan Lawson threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 80 yards in the loss.