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Villanova finished the 2012 CAA Football season with a share of the (official) league title (unofficially Old Dominion had the best record), the automatic qualifier to the postseason, and a remarkable turnaround from an awful 2011. Those factors, and the large contingent of returning players were likely factors in CAA coach and SID's thinking while voting in the preseason poll.
The Wildcats received 11 of 22 possible first-place votes to lead the poll. Towson was in second-place and Rhode Island was picked to finish last. Newcomers Stony Brook and Albany were picked seventh and tenth, respectively. Stony Brook is coming off of a postseason that included a decisive win over Villanova in the first round. Albany is converting it's program from the lower-scholarship limits of the NEC and league personnel are clearly anticipating some growing pains.
In addition, the league also released it's preseason all-conference awards. Towson running back Terrance West was picked as the preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while JMU linebacker Stephon Robertson was named preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Villanova's quarterback John Robertson, tailback Kevin Monangai, and lineman Josh Bucci were all picked for the preseason All-Conference Offense. Defensive end Rakim Cox and nose guard Antoine Lewis were included on the league's All-Conference Defense. Senior punter Mark Hamilton was also included on special teams.
The league's video portal, CAA.tv, has video highlights featuring the player selections.
