CAA preview: It looks like another good year

One team made it to last year’s national title game.

Another was No. 1 in one of the preseason national magazines.

And neither was voted preseason favorite in a poll by the league’s coaches and media.

Welcome to the Colonial Athletic Association, which last year sent a record five teams to the Division I-AA playoffs and should be just as good this year.

The coaches and writers have spoken and tabbed Massachusetts as the preseason pick. But what about Delaware, which met Appalachian State in last year’s Division I-AA title game? And what about James Madison, which Phil Steele’s preseason college magazine dubbed the best I-AA squad in the country?

In the league poll, the coaches and writers had Richmond above both JMU and Delaware in the South Division, even though Richmond is making a coaching change, with Mike London taking over. London is the first Richmond graduate to coach his alma mater in more than 40 years, joining the Spiders after being Al Groh’s right-hand man at Virginia.

“This is a little coachspeak here, but we’ve got to take it one game at a time and I’ve told the players to not read their press clippings,” London said.

But the fact that the Spiders should be good is impossible to hide.

“Expectations are where they need to be,” he said.

And those expectations should be high, what with junior quarterback Eric Ward returning from a season in which he threw for 2,341 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Since it all starts with the quarterback, it makes sense that UMass got the overall nod in the CAA and is the runaway favorite to win the North Division. Its senior quarterback, Liam Coen, was tabbed preseason player of the year.

Coen’s QB rating a year ago was higher than Delaware’s Joe Flacco, who was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens.

But JMU coach Mickey Matthews is quick to argue who the best QB in the CAA will be. He thinks that player resides in Harrisonburg.

“Rodney Landers injured his wrist midway through last season and wasn’t as effective down the stretch,” Matthews said of the Tallwood High School grad. “I think Rodney’s the best player in the country. He strikes fear in the hearts of opponents.”

Indisputable is the perception that whichever team wins the CAA will be adequately prepared for the postseason.

“Our league’s record has been phenomenal in the playoff system,” Matthews said. “Everyone has taken it to a higher level and there are only a few teams in the nation who can play with our league.”

William and Mary, picked to finish fifth in the six-team South Division, hopes to shake a run of losing seasons. Jake Phillips is back at quarterback for William and Mary, where the biggest offseason news was the opening of the Jimmye Laycock Football Center. With no first-team all-CAA preseason selections on either side of the ball, it could be another long year for the Tribe.

This marks just the second year football has been a CAA sport. But the league is basically an extension of the old Atlantic 10 Conference, which was absorbed by the CAA before last season. There’s no argument that, even with Southern Conference member Appalachian State winning the past three national titles, the CAA/A10 has been top overall league.

“We’re pretty much the big dog because of the depth of our programs,” CAA commissioner Tom Yeager said. “We’ve had three different teams in the national title game in the last five seasons.”

Chances are the CAA will do it again this season. It’s just a question of which team.

Rich Radford, (757) 446-2463, rich.radford@pilotonline.com

WILLIAM AND MARY

Coach Jimmye Laycock, 29th season at William and Mary and overall (182-127-2)

Last year 4-7, 2-6 (fifth, South Division)

Returning starters: 9 on offense, 9 on defense, placekicker and punter.

Impact players QB Jake Phillips returns for his final season, having already made 22 career starts for the Tribe.

Good news Although the Tribe finishes the year against JMU and Richmond, the front end of the schedule is soft enough to gain momentum.

Bad news The Tribe has been down for a few years and there isn’t much expectation that it will change this season.

The big game Nov. 22 vs. Richmond. It’s always a big game, but this season it could be even bigger.

Bottom line The Tribe will travel under the radar for much of the season, even if it’s winning.

RICHMOND

Coach Mike London, first season at Richmond and overall

Last year 11-3, 7-1 (first, South Division), lost in I-AA semifinals 55-35 to eventual national champ Appalachian State

Returning starters 8 on offense, 8 on defense, kicker and punter.

Impact players Eric Ward threw for 2,341 yards and 17 TDs as a sophomore. If he cuts down on his 11 interceptions, he could have a record-breaking year. Justin Rogers is a game-breaking kick returner. Sophomore LB Eric McBride ranked in the top 10 in tackles as a freshman and LB Collin McGonaghy was fourth in the league in sacks.

Good news The Spiders have a slew of playmakers on both sides of the ball and a ton of confidence .

Bad news RB Tim Hightower has moved on to the NFL; a go-to running back must be found.

The big game Oct. 11 vs. JMU. The Spiders will need to win this one before heading to UMass .

Bottom line Richmond could go far. Or it could take a step back. In the CAA, it happens all the time.

JAMES MADISON

Coach Mickey Matthews, 10th season at JMU and overall (64-44)

Last year 8-4, 6-2 CAA (second, South Division), lost in I-AA first round 28-27 to Appalachian State

Returning starters 8 on offense, 7 on defense, placekicker, punter.

Impact players RB Eugene Holloman was preseason All-CAA, as was center Scott Lemn . QB Rodney Landers rushed for more than 1,000 yards and threw for nearly 2,000 in ’07 – and more is expected this season. DT Sam Daniels had 6½ sacks a year ago and should be a QB pest again.

Good news The Dukes were No. 1 in Phil Steele’s College Football Preview; they’re on everyone’s radar.

Bad news The Dukes play CAA favorite UMass in Week 3 and play a week later against three-time defending champ Appalachian State. That’s after opening at Duke.

The big game Sept. 20 vs. ASU. A 28-27 loss in Last year’s first round of the playoffs only proves how close JMU was to making magic as it did in winning the national title in 2004. JMU is savoring a rematch.

Bottom line A run at a national title just isn’t possible; it’s expected.