The 2023 College Football season is four weeks old, and the Coastal Athletic Conference has seen its fair share of nail biters and blowouts.
The heavy favorites are beginning to be more apparent, and teams that are towards the bottom of the standings are beginning to run out of time to make a comeback.
The Good Five Cent Cigar Sports Staff will judge all
15 CAA teams every week to find these frontrunners and provide a power ranking list to show which teams could be featured in December and even in January.
Here are the results going into week five of the season for The University of Rhode Island’s Football team and the rest of the CAA.
15th Place: Stony Brook (0-4) (-)
Stony Brook’s close 20-19 loss to Richmond on Saturday was the latest addition to a winless 2023 season. The Seawolves are now 0-3 in CAA play, and that is the main reason that they still sit in dead last in the conference.
A bottom three offense and defense in the CAA is the main factor for the losses, although the close result this past weekend does raise some optimism. However, optimism means nothing until a game ends up in the win column, and that has yet to happen for Stony Brook.
14th Place: North Carolina A&T (0-3) (-)
A BYE week was exactly what the struggling Aggies needed to get back on track going into week five. A tough 27-3 loss in week three left a mark on NC A&T and they are looking to come out of their matchup with Norfolk State this week with a victory.
13th Place: Maine (0-4) (-)
A malfunctioning Black Bear offense continued to rear its ugly head in the 28-3 loss to William and Mary. Although the Tribe only allows 10 points per game, the offensive struggles from Maine are not a new issue, as they only post 9.8 points per game on their end.
A winnable game against Stony Brook awaits them in week five, but this also serves as an important way to find their first win of the season, and a sign of success is necessary this week if they want to turn their season around.
12th Place: Towson (1-3) (-)
Towson failed to continue in their winning ways when they hit week five, dropping a tough 21-14 game to Norfolk State.
Towson has kept all of their FCS games very close, with a -16 point differential during their three-game slate in their respective subdivision. The issue comes when mediocrity does not serve the baseline for success, and mediocrity is all the Tigers have met so far.
11th Place: Richmond (2-2) (-)
A win is not normally a disappointing performance, but for the Spiders, a one point defeat of the worst team in the conference is not something that you write home about.
The 20-19 victory was one that showcased a lack of fourth quarter production, with Richmond falling to a 9-3 deficit in the final quarter. The inability to keep their foot on the gas almost cost them a very winnable game. That effort would surely be a loss against almost any other team.
10th Place: Hampton (2-1) (-1)
After resting on a BYE in week four, the Pirates are ready to get back into action this coming weekend when they travel to Richmond.
The rest was needed for Hampton after a tough 35-34 win over Howard, and with some struggles currently in Richmond, it could be a great chance for Hampton to strike while the iron is hot and make a statement game go their way.
9th Place: Monmouth (1-3) (-1)
A single possession loss to a good team is never a result that is searched for, but not a season wrecking one either.
The 28-20 defeat at the hands of Lafayette is most definitely a sour one, however the loss is one that could also be used as a learning tool for the Hawks. Their defense was not abysmal but could be better, allowing 316 yards, and the offense also could have done more to ensure a victory. Overall, it is not time to hit the panic button for Monmouth just yet.
8th Place: UAlbany (2-2) (-1)
UAlbany’s 23-17 overtime win over Morgan State this past weekend was a game that truly displayed that the Great Danes below .500 record was not an indicator of the quality of their team.
The very fact that Albany was able to display an overcoming of adversity is the main reason why this victory was even better for the second best defense in the conference. If the offense can produce on a more consistent note, then more wins could be in order for the Great Danes.
7th Place: Elon (2-2) (+3)
Elon’s 28-24 win over Campbell was an excellent performance for a number of reasons. Firstly, Campbell’s offense has been the best in the CAA this season, averaging 37.3 points per game. Secondly, Elon’s offense is middle of the pack in the CAA, only posting 24.8 points per game.
For Elon to be able to overcome the best offense in the conference opens up an entirely new window for the Phoenix to fly out of and up to the top of the standings.
6th Place: Campbell (2-2) (-)
Despite falling to Elon, Campbell’s season is by no means over. The result was not the intended one, however the Fighting Camels’ high flying offense will be enough to buoy them in the coming weeks.
The only concern is a defense that has only held one opponent under 25 points. If the other side of the ball can do their job, the points galore agenda of Campbell can be a successful one down the stretch.
5th Place: #14 New Hampshire (2-2) (-)
Losing your conference opener is never a fun thing to go through, and New Hampshire is not above that, as the Wildcats dropped a heartbreaker to Delaware.
The scoreless fourth quarter was the deciding factor in the matchup with the blue hens, with Delaware taking a 29-25 victory. The matchup was between two top-25 teams, so a loss on either side would not be a sign for concern, especially with the narrow deficit.
However, New Hampshire will have to come back out with a statement win over Towson if they want to retain their top five standing in the power rankings next week.
4th Place: #24 Rhode Island (2-2) (-2)
Disappointment is one of many words to describe the Rams’ loss to Villanova this past weekend. A 35-9 wiping from the Wildcats made the soaking wet players even more miserable as the game took place during the height of a tropical storm.
The offensive output was uncharacteristic for Rhode Island, as an offense that averages almost 30 points per game usually isn’t held to under 10. However, the Villanova defense that allowed only one touchdown and a field goal through four quarters is sure to make Rhode Island rethink their strategies before they host Bryant this Saturday.
3rd Place: #11 Delaware (3-1) (+1)
Delaware had the potential to be another undefeated team in the CAA if their only loss wasn’t to a top-10 team in the FBS in Penn State. Delaware’s defense, despite allowing almost 30 points per game this season, held New Hampshire to no points in the final quarter and secured their victory in a top-25 matchup.
They have a CAA break incoming, as they travel back out of conference against Duquesne this week. However another conference win over NC A&T in two weeks could solidify themselves as a contender for the postseason.
2nd Place: #16 Villanova (3-1) (+1)
Villanova’s near perfect defensive performance was worth a jump up in the power rankings for the Wildcats.
To hold a team to under 10 points is a feat in any capacity, and to do that against a top-25 team makes it just that more impressive. If Villanova can continue this play against another tough opponent in UAlbany, the Wildcats could move even closer to a playoff spot.
1st Place: #5 William and Mary (4-0) (-)
William and Mary is a team similar to the 1986 Chicago Bears, in that their mediocre offense is buoyed by a defense that is so unbelievable that every game is winnable.
The 10 points allowed per game is tied with South Dakota State for first in the entire FCS and is the main reason why the Tribe still have a perfect record of 4-0. If they can continue this trend, William and Mary will finish atop this conference, and potentially the entire FCS.