HARRISONBURG – As many as five Colonial Athletic Association teams could get their name called when the NCAA releases the FCS playoff bracket on Sunday.
James Madison, Stony Brook and Elon are almost certainly in and one will be the league’s automatic qualifier. Delaware and New Hampshire are likely in with one more win.
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 10:
1 – James Madison
Record: 10-0 (7-0 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 20-13 vs. Richmond
This Week: Saturday at Elon
James Madison clinched at least a share of league title for a third straight season with its 20-13 win over Richmond. The Dukes can claim their second consecutive outright league championship with a win over Elon on Saturday.
2 – Stony Brook
Record: 8-2 (6-1 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 38-10 vs. Wagner
This Week: Saturday at Maine
Lost behind names like Bryan Schor, Kyle Lauletta and Trevor Knight, Stony Brook quarterback Joe Carbone has quietly put together a nice season. He’s thrown 18 touchdowns compared to only three interceptions.
3 – Elon
Record: 8-2 (6-1 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 16-6 at New Hampshire
This Week: Saturday vs. James Madison
The Phoenix lost a shot an outright league title with its loss at New Hampshire, but still can win a share of the league with a win over James Madison. Elon will need freshman quarterback Davis Cheek to be at his best, though, considering what the Dukes have done to opposing signal-callers all season.
4 – Delaware
Record: 7-3 (5-2 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 22-3 vs. Albany
This Week: Saturday at Villanova
Delaware’s defense forced four turnovers to help the Blue Hens take down Albany this past Saturday. That unit has been solid all year – yielding more than 30 points only once all fall.
5 – New Hampshire
Record: 7-3 (5-2 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 16-6 vs. Elon
This Week: Saturday at Albany
Winners of two in a row, New Hampshire looks like it’ll be able to extend the longest-active playoff streak in the FCS simply with a win over lowly Albany on Saturday.
6 – Richmond
Record: 5-5 (3-4 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 20-13 at James Madison
This Week: Saturday vs. William & Mary
Richmond’s postseason hopes were killed when it suffered a loss at James Madison in the final minute this past weekend. The Spiders wrap up their first season under first-year coach Russ Huesman on Saturday at William & Mary.
7 – Maine
Record: 4-5 (3-4 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 44-31 vs. UMass at Fenway Park
This Week: Saturday vs. Stony Brook
Maine running back Josh Mack continued his strong season carving up FBS UMass for 110 yards and two touchdowns on the Red Sox home field. Mack has run for at least 100 yards in seven of the Black Bears’ nine games.
8 – Villanova
Record: 4-6 (2-5 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 20-6 at Rhode Island
This Week: Saturday vs. Delaware
Decimated by injuries this season, Villanova continued its downward trend with a loss to Rhode Island. With no Zach Bednarczyk or Rob Rolle for most of the year, the Wildcats will be happy to see the season end.
9 – Towson
Record: 4-6 (2-5 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 26-14 at William & Mary
This Week: Saturday vs. Rhode Island
The Tigers managed only 238 yards of total offense but won the battle of field position, took advantage of two William & Mary turnovers and got a 62-yard punt return touchdown from Coby Tippett.
10 – Rhode Island
Record: 3-7 (2-5 CAA)
Last Week: Win 20-6 vs. Villanova
This Week: Saturday at Towson
Quarterback JaJuan Lawson ran for a touchdown and threw for another to help Rhode Island beat Villanova and bounce back from a loss to James Madison. The Rams can double their win total from last season with a win Saturday over Towson.
11 – Albany
Record: 3-7 (1-6 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 22-3 at Delaware
This Week: Saturday vs. New Hampshire
The Great Danes came up short again, managing just a field goal at Delaware. This week Albany can possibly play spoiler with an upset win over New Hampshire.
12 – William & Mary
Record: 2-8 (0-7 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 26-14 vs. Towson
This Week: Saturday at Richmond
William & Mary had a 14-12 lead at halftime against Towson, but couldn’t muster any more points during the final 30 minutes. The Tribe have one more crack at picking up a league win against rival Richmond.
