(STATS) - They're sitting right there in plain sight in CAA Football. It's simply a matter of which one or two teams will become the surprise of the conference this season. It basically never fails to happen in the FCS power conference that last season became the first to qualify six teams - half of its 12-school membership - for the national playoffs. At CAA media day on Tuesday, James Madison was installed as the preseason favorite just ahead of Towson, defending champion Maine and Elon. Maine may have taken exception with the poll - again. Last season, the Black Bears won the CAA title after being picked eighth in the preseason. Towson was picked 10th before going on to finish third. Rhode Island was last in the poll and enjoyed its first winning season in 17 years. In 2017, Stony Brook was picked eighth and finished second, while Elon was picked 11th and finished third. Make no mistake, the preseason voting isn't necessarily subpar. The depth of quality teams simply wins out. "You can rank the teams 1 through 12, but it really doesn't matter. What matters is what happens on the field," CAA commissioner Joe D'Antonio said. "On any given Saturday, anybody can beat every other team." There are plenty of potential surprises in the lower half of this year's preseason poll. New Hampshire, picked seventh, is hoping to return to the playoffs after key injuries last season ended its run of 14 consecutive appearances. Traditionally strong programs Villanova and Richmond picked ninth and 10th, respectively, also stand out. The two teams with the most CAA preseason team selections have new coaches. Maine, now led by former offensive coordinator Nick Charlton, had seven, including Earnest Edwards at both wide receiver and kick returner. James Madison, now led by former Elon coach Curt Cignetti, earned six selections. Towson's five selections included preseason offensive player of the year Tom Flacco at quarterback. Richmond defensive end Maurice Jackson earned the top defensive honor. ---= CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors Poll 1. James Madison (20 first-place votes) 2. Towson (3) 3. Maine (1) 4. Elon 5. Delaware 6. Stony Brook 7. New Hampshire 8. Rhode Island 9. Villanova 10. Richmond 11. William & Mary 12. UAlbany CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON TEAM Offensive Player of the Year - Tom Flacco, QB, Towson Defensive Player of the Year - Maurice Jackson, DE, Richmond Offense QB - Tom Flacco, Towson RB - Shane Simpson, Towson RB - Jaylan Thomas, Elon FB - Tyler Crist, William & Mary WR - Earnest Edwards, Maine WR - Shane Leatherbury, Towson WR - Aaron Parker, Rhode Island TE - Matt Foster, Elon OL - Liam Dobson, Maine OL - Mario Farinella, Delaware OL - Liam Fornadel, James Madison OL - Kyle Murphy, Rhode Island OL - Kyle Nunez, Stony Brook Defense DL - Ron'Dell Carter, James Madison DL - Maurice Jackson, Richmond DL - Sam Kamara, Stony Brook DL - Kayon Whitaker, Maine LB - Robert Heyward, Towson LB - Dimitri Holloway, James Madison LB - Taji Lowe, Maine LB - Deshawn Stevens, Maine S - Isaiah Laster, William & Mary S - Pop Lacey, New Hampshire S - Adam Smith, James Madison CB - Manny Patterson, Maine CB - Rashad Robinson, James Madison Special Teams KR - Earnest Edwards, Maine PR - D'Angelo Amos, James Madison PK - Aidan O'Neill, Towson P - Nick Pritchard, Delaware Special Teams - Isaiah White, Stony Brook Honorable Mention Davis Cheek, QB, Elon; Chris Ferguson, QB, Maine; Dejoun Lee, RB, Delaware; Carlos Washington, RB, New Hampshire; Joey Kenny, FB, Rhode Island; Owen Tyler, FB, Delaware; Jabari Allen, WR, Towson; Dev Holmes, WR, UAlbany; Simon Bengelis, TE, Villanova; Aaron Grzymkowski, OL, Towson; Mac Patrick, OL, James Madison; Mark Williamson, OL, William & Mary; Bryce Carter, DL, Towson; John Daka, DL, James Madison; Brandon Ginnetti, DL, Rhode Island; Charles Mitchell, DL, Maine; Bill Murray, DL, William & Mary; Levi Metheny, LB, UAlbany; Keon Paye, LB, Towson; Drew Wiley, LB, Villanova; Augie Contressa, S, Stony Brook; Daniel Jones, S, Richmond; Corey Parker, S, William & Mary; Jaquan Amos, CB, Villanova; Gavin Heslop, CB, Stony Brook, Greg Liggs, CB, Elon; Ahmere Dorsey, KR/PR, Rhode Island; Drew Sanborn, P, New Hampshire; Eli Mencer, Special Teams, UAlbany
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