RFC Summer Semester--Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Preview (FCS)

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2012 Final Standings

Looking back: Despite being declared ineligible for the automatic bid, Old Dominion (11-2 overall) still managed to post the best record in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) contests in 2012, going 7-1 in conference play, while advancing to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, where their final season in that division ended with a 49-35 loss to Georgia Southern. 

Other teams that advanced to the FCS playoffs, though, weren't as fortunate.  New Hampshire fell to Wofford, 23-7, in round two, while Villanova was eliminated by Stony Brook, 20-10, in round one.

Aside from ODU, four teams actually shared the CAA title in 2012: Richmond, New Hampshire, Towson, and Villanova.  All four teams finished league play at 6-2 last year.

Looking ahead: The landscape for the CAA will be drastically different in 2013. Old Dominion is out.  Georgia State. Gone. Both programs will officially join begin the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) this fall, with the Monarchs eventually joining Conference USA, while the Panthers will join the Sun Belt Conference.

Taking the place of both of those aforementioned programs will be a pair of programs from New York State in Albany and Stony Brook.

Speaking of the FBS, every CAA team will face at least one opponent from the former NCAA Division I-A.  That, ironically, includes newcomer Albany heading south to face former CAA member Old Dominion on September 28.  Rhode Island will travel to ODU on November 2.

Oh, just one more thing. Elon will join the CAA in 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. Richmond (8-3):  The Spiders hope to contend for the CAA crown in 2013 with a redshirt senior laden roster.

2.  New Hampshire (8-4):  With just seven starters lost from 2012, expect the Wildcats to be a team to be reckoned with once again in 2013.

3. Towson (7-4):  A four game winning streak to end last season has the Tigers and their faithful cautiously optimistic for this season.

4.  Villanova (8-4):  The Wildcats will be put to the test quickly on August 31, when they open the 2013 season at ACC foe Boston College.

5. James Madison (7-4):   Head Coach Mickey Matthews (96-61 career record at JMU) needs just four wins to win his 100th game at the Dukes helm.

6. Delaware (5-6):  The Blue Hens hope to begin the long road back to prominence after they ended last season with four straight losses.

7. Stony Brook (10-3):   The Seawolves will face much tougher competition in their inaugural CAA campaign.

8. Albany (N.Y.)--(9-2):  So will the Great Danes.

9. William & Mary (2-9):  The Tribe hopes to put the misery of last season behind them.

10. Rhode Island (0-11):   Hard to believe that the Rams haven't won a game since November 5, 2011.

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