RICHMOND, Va. (June 11, 2024) – With the start of the 2024 football season less than three months away, two of the nation’s top media outlets for FCS football coverage are predicting another strong year for CAA Football based on their preseason Top 25 polls.
Craig Haley, FCS Senior Editor for Stats Perform and the Analyst, has five CAA teams in his Top 25. Villanova tops the list at #6, followed by #9 William & Mary, #18 Elon, #20 Richmond and #21 UAlbany. The CAA’s five ranked teams were the second-most of any conference, trailing only the Missouri Valley with six.
HERO Sports also placed five CAA teams in its Top 25 poll. Villanova leads the group at #6, followed by #13 Richmond, #15 UAlbany, #17 William & Mary and #19 Delaware. Elon was among other teams receiving votes. Only the Missouri Valley and Big Sky with six ranked teams had more than the CAA.
Villanova went 10-3 overall last season, earned a share of the CAA title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs for the second time in the past three seasons.
William & Mary posted its third straight winning season with a 6-5 mark a year ago. The Tribe was 11-2 overall, claimed a share of the CAA championship and reached the FCS quarterfinals in 2022.
UAlbany is coming off the best season in program history that included an 11-4 record, a share of the CAA championship and two playoff wins to reach the FCS semifinals.
Richmond tallied a 9-4 record last season, garnered a share of the CAA championship and reached the second round of the FCS playoffs for the second straight year.
Elon achieved a third consecutive winning campaign a year ago with a 6-5 record. The Phoenix earned an FCS playoff berth in 2022 and has won at least five CAA games for three straight years.
Delaware reached the second round of the FCS playoffs for the second year in a row in 2023 after putting together a 9-4 overall record.
CRAIG HALEY/THE ANALYST FCS PRESEASON TOP 25 POLL
HERO SPORTS FCS PRESEASON TOP 25
RV: Nicholls, Elon, UT Martin
