Football Picked Third in CAA Preseason Poll; Three Named to Preseason All-Conference Team

RICHMOND, Va. – The University at Albany football team, fresh off its first-ever Coastal Athletic Association Championship in school history, has been picked to finish third in this year’s annual Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
 

The Great Danes received three first-place votes and 179 points overall. Finishing ahead was Villanova with 217 points and nine first-place votes, followed by Richmond with 189 points and one first-place vote. All three top vote-getting teams finished with a share of the CAA title last season, but the Great Danes claimed dominating victories over both schools in 2023 to earn an “Undisputed Champions” title.
 
After defeating Richmond in the Second Round of the FCS Playoffs, the Great Danes would go on to defeat #4 Idaho to reach the first National Semifinal appearance in program history.
 
William & Mary finished in fourth place with 175 points just ahead of Delaware with 163 points and three first-place votes. Elon (157), New Hampshire (150), Rhode Island (142), Towson (114), and Monmouth (95) rounded out the top 10.
 
In addition to the preseason poll, the CAA also announced its Preseason All-Conference Teams. Representing the Great Danes were running back Griffin Woodell and offensive linemen Ozzie Hutchinson and Will Marotta. Kicker John Opalko was named to the conference’s Honorable Mention list.
 

Season tickets for the 2024 campaign are on sale now. Fans wishing to secure their seats to see the defending CAA Champions can do so by clicking here.

For a full list of the Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Preseason All-Conference Teams, see below.
 
2024 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish (Selected by a vote of Head Coaches)
1. Villanova (9 first-place votes) – 217
2. Richmond (1 first-place vote) – 189
3. UAlbany (3 first-place votes) – 179
4. William & Mary – 175
5. Delaware (3 first-place votes) – 163
6….