Villanova football picked to win CAA

Defending national champion Villanova was the overwhelming choice to win the Colonial Athletic Association football championship in a vote of the league's 10 head coaches and media relations personnel.

The voting was released today at the CAA media day in Baltimore.

Villanova, which returns 17 starters, received 17 of the 20 first-place votes. William and Mary was voted second, followed by New Hampshire (two first-place votes), James Madison and Delaware (one first-place vote).

Villanova senior wide receiver/returnman Matt Szczur was selected as the preseason offensive player of the year and Nova linebacker Terence Thomas was selected as the preseason defensive player of the year. The Wildcats placed seven players on the preseason all-conference teams.

Szczur was joined by quarterback Chris Whitney, placekicker Nick Yako and offensive linemen Brant Clouser and Ben Ijalana on the offense. Safety John Dempsey joined Thomas on the defensive side.

2010 CAA FOOTBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (first-place votes)

1. Villanova (17)

2. William and Mary

3. New Hampshire (2)

4. James Madison

5. Delaware (1)

6. Richmond

7. Maine

8. Massachusetts

9. Rhode Island

10. Towson