The power of the FCS has shifted heavily to the Midwest in recent memory. But there was a time when CAA Football was viewed as a top-tier league, providing an eastern presence in the national title picture.
In 2018, there were six CAA teams in the playoff bracket. In 2023, there were five. Those days appear to be over, though.
Five of the better programs have departed since the end of the 2021 season, with James Madison and Delaware joining the FBS and Richmond, William & Mary, and Villanova moving to the Patriot League.
Since JMU’s departure, the CAA added Monmouth, Campbell, North Carolina A&T, Bryant, and Hampton, watering down the bottom of the conference. Sacred Heart is also joining the conference this year. Campbell, NC A&T, Bryant, and Hampton went a combined 5-27 in league play last season, while Monmouth finished 6-2.
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The perception of the league has taken a hit from national media members located in all corners of the country. And it has taken a hit from the opinions that matter the most: The playoff committee.
In 2024, Richmond was 10-2 in the regular season, Rhode Island was 10-2, and Villanova was 9-3. None of those teams received a Top 8 seed, which comes with a first-round bye and a second-round home game.
In 2025, Rhode Island finished 10-2, and Villanova was 9-2. Once again, neither was given a Top 8 seed. Villanova ended up making a memorable run to the semifinals, while Rhody lost in the second round for the second straight season.
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With Villanova moving to the Patriot, attention turns to Rhody as the class of the CAA. The Rams are a rising program, posting back-to-back 11-3 seasons, featuring the two postseason appearances. They had previously been in a playoff drought dating back to 1985. Stadium renovations signal football investment as well.
Rhody rose into the Top 10 in 2024 for a breakout season. It was then ranked as high as No. 5 last year. But again, the playoff committee members weren’t believers. And both seasons fell short of a quarterfinal run.
The issue goes back to the ballooning of conference members with unbalanced scheduling and the watering down of the standings. Rhody had just one currently-ranked win in 2024 and 2025 when Selection Sunday rolled around.
That brings us to 2026.
On paper, the Rams look very good.
The All-American QB-WR duo of Devin Farrell and Marquis Buchanan returns. Buchanan led the FCS in receiving yards last year with 1,337 off of 78 catches. Farrell finished No. 2 in FCS passing yards with 3,745 while having a 24:8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. All-CAA selection Tre Alexander anchors an offensive line that returns only two starters.
The defense will need to improve to make a deeper playoff push, but the talent is there. Case Mankins is a standout defensive lineman, while linebackers Rohan Davy and Moses Meus both logged 100+ tackles last fall. All-CAA safety Andre DePina-Gray is another returning leader for the unit.
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Rhode Island looks primed to take the next step this season and is ranked No. 7 in the Stats Perform preseason media poll. After back-to-back second-round exits, anything short of a quarterfinal appearance will be a disappointment.
A Top 8 seed makes a quarterfinal run that much more attainable. And if Rhody wants to convince the playoff committee it is worthy of a first-round bye, the Rams may have to make their money in the non-conference. Only one other CAA team is preseason ranked: No. 22 Monmouth. Guess who Rhody avoids in the unbalanced scheduling? No. 22 Monmouth.
Going 8-0 in the CAA with potentially no ranked wins in conference play hasn’t moved the needle for the committee.
However, the Rams do play at preseason No. 18 Yale. And they have a gettable FBS game at Temple, who finished 5-7 last season. The talent on paper and the schedule set up for Rhody to reach at least 10 wins for the third straight season. But if the Rams want to prove they are Top 8 seed material, the non-conference will be key.
The FCS needs someone to emerge out of the East. Villanova hosting a semifinal game last season, although it was a sparse crowd, was good for a change of scenery in the FCS. Rhody has been climbing the ranks to be that team as well. With its returning standouts, now is the year to deliver on its high ranking.
