CAA Power Rankings
1. Campbell University —
2. Monmouth University —
3. Stony Brook University ↑1
4. Elon University ↑3
5. Bryant University ↑1
T-6. University at Albany ↓1
T-6. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University ↑7
8. Sacred Heart University ↑1
9. University of Maine ↓2
10. University of Rhode Island ↓8
11. University of New Hampshire ↓1
12. Towson University ↓1
13. Hampton University ↓1
There’s been a major shake-up after week four in the Coastal Athletic Association conference that could already affect postseason chances.
With careful consideration, The Good Five Cent Cigar Sports Staff sent in rankings of all 13 teams in the CAA.
The Bottom Feeders
Maine and Rhode Island join New Hampshire, Towson and Hampton as this week’s lowest of the low.
Who would’ve thought that URI would follow up its first conference loss since Nov. 9, 2024, with a second consecutive conference loss to one of last week’s bottom feeders?
And it wasn’t a particularly close loss either, despite the 22-18 score against NC A&T. It was another lackluster day on offense as the Rams continue to miss the injured fifth-year quarterback Devin Farrell.
Maine’s drop in the rankings is no less justified, allowing 43 points from Elon for their first conference loss of the season.
Second-half collapses are what put UNH, Hampton and Towson all into the losing column once again, making up a collective 0-5 record in conference play.
While Towson’s loss was a non-conference defeat at the hands of Delaware State University, Hampton fell apart at the hands of Campbell while UNH’s offense couldn’t get past Sacred Heart.
Middle-Of-The-Pack
This week, it’s Sacred Heart, NC A&T, UAlbany and Bryant that fall into our middle tier.
It was an unlikely turnaround for the Aggies, but a turnaround nonetheless. Home field advantage was in full swing as the Aggies fought off a late-stage comeback attempt by the Rams.
NC A&T’s 16 points off four URI turnovers helped build what was at one point a 19-point lead over the two-time reigning CAA title-holders.
Sacred Heart snuck into the bottom half of the tier behind third-year quarterback Poochie Snyder, who recorded 162 total yards and a touchdown. On the other end, the defense held UNH to just 262 yards.
Despite getting shut out, UAlbany slides into our No. 6 spot, tied with the Aggies.
The Great Danes’ 22-0 loss to Princeton University handed the Tigers their first win of the season.
Princeton’s only other game was a 21-14 loss to Bryant, who was the only CAA team this week on a bye.
Cream Of The Crop
For the top of our list, we have Elon, Stony Brook, Monmouth and Campbell.
The Phoenix used a couple of late second-quarter scores to propel themselves over Maine, earning their second consecutive conference win at home. What sets the Phoenix apart from their conference counterparts is defense, holding opponents to a conference-low 15.2 points per game.
Stony Brook solidified its spot in the top four with a solid nonconference win, a 31-16 feat over Fordham University. Following a career week over URI, third-year quarterback Quinn Boyd continued with 209 passing yards and a touchdown.
The Seawolves also earned the victory while on the road and in wet conditions. Considering their next opponent is Towson after a week of rest, the Seawolves are looking to stay in good shape.
Monmouth also secured a nonconference victory over Dartmouth, thanks in large part to third-year quarterback Frankie Weaver’s season-high 313 yards and two touchdowns.
Campbell’s fourth-year quarterback Kamden Sixkiller posted a similar 308 yards and added five touchdowns. It may have taken the Camels until the second half to pull away from Hampton, but with Sixkiller at the helm, this team looks more confident every week.
