South Division: Richmond (11), James Madison (7), Delaware (1), Villanova, William & Mary, Towson.

Massachusetts, which won the conference the past two seasons, was selected as overall champion and is favored to earn the CAA?s automatic bid to the 16-team NCAA Tournament.

BEST OF THE BEST

The CAA returns 11first-team all-conference selections and six All-Americans from last season. The returning All-Americans are Rhode Island senior fullback Joe Casey, New Hampshire junior tight end Scott Sicko, Delaware junior kicker Jon Striefsky, Richmond sophomore kick returner Justin Rogers and junior guard Matt McCracken and Maine senior defensive end Jovan Belcher.

Belcher, who record 10 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss after making the transition from linebacker last season, is the preseason Defensive Player of the Year. NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., described Belcher as “a cat-quick pass rusher.”

Massachusetts senior quarterback Liam Cohen, who threw for 3,091 yards with 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season, was named the CAA?s preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

He finished second in the CAA and ninth in the country in passing efficiency (156.29) last season.

“His toughness and grit complete him,” Kiper said. “He?s a supremely accurate passer.”

WHAT?S IN A RANKING?

A lot for the top rated conference in the country. College Football expert Phil Steele?s preseason top 25 features five CAA teams: top-ranked James Madison, third-ranked Richmond, fourth-ranked Delaware, fifth-ranked Massachusetts and 11th-ranked New Hampshire. Some other preseason polls also include Hofstra and Villanova. The CAA also boasts 10 wins over Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the past six years, including New Hampshire?s 48-35 win over Marshall and Delaware?s 59-52 win over Navy last year.

It?s almost a sure thing to bet on a CAA team playing for the national championship. The league has won three national titles in the past 10 years and had a representative in the championship game four of the past five years. Appalachian State, which has won the past three national championships, including a 49-21 win over Delaware last year, is ranked second.

“It?s the best football conference in the country at any level,” Delaware coach K.C. Keeler said. “Week in, week out, there?s not a better football conference in the country, top-to-bottom.”