Early Coastal Athletic Association conference play features the first Top 25 clash of the campaign in Week 4, with No. 11/No. t-12 Villanova visiting No. 21/No. 18 Monmouth. 

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The showdown of regional rivals headlines a stacked Sept. 20 slate, which also includes a variety of outstanding non-conference matchups. Hitting the road for a game with potential playoff implications, Elon visits Southern Conference counterpart East Tennessee State. 

The Phoenix improved to 2-1 in Week 3 with a 37-31 win over ETSU's fellow SoCon member, Western Carolina. Elon punter Jeff Yurk earned National Special Teams Player of the Year for his incredible 55.2-yard average on six kicks vs. the Catamounts. 

Both Hampton and New Hampshire are away for out-of-league rivalry contests in Week 3. The Pirates travel to Washington, D.C., to meet Howard in the landmark 100th edition of The Real HU. 

The rivalry dates to 1908 and in recent years has been all Hampton. The Pirates look to make it nine straight victories when they visit Audi Field on Saturday. 

New Hampshire, meanwhile, faces Dartmouth in the 43rd installment of the Granite Bowl. 

Rounding out the CAA's marquee Week 4 road contests, Stony Brook aims to build on its impressive showing in a Week 3 rout of Fordham when the Seawolves visit Lindenwood. The upstart Div. I member took Appalachian State to the brink in Week 2 and scored its first win of 2025 in Week 3 with a 35-28 defeat of Charleston Southern. 

Villanova at Monmouth Football

Following Monmouth's 40-33 win over Villanova last November, Hawks coach Kevin Callahan said that quarterback Derek Robertson "made up his mind, he was going to go out and play a complete game."

Robertson played a complete game in perhaps the most literal sense of the word, completing 22-of-23 pass attempts for 358 yards and three touchdowns. 

"And the only reason that was incomplete," noted Villanova coach Mark Ferrante, "is because it got batted at the line of scrimmage." 

The near-perfect performance helped cement Robertson's All-American candidacy and helped lay the groundwork for Monmouth's preseason ranking in the Top 25 to open this season. The Hawks have responded with wins in each of their first two matchups against FCS opponents, including a wild Week 1 comeback against Colgate. 

Robertson is easily outpacing the rest of the nation in passing numbers with 1,265 yards —  337 more than the next-most prolific passer in FCS — and 14 touchdowns. Second in the subdivision with 11, Tarleton's Victor Gabalis has played in one more game than Robertson thus far this season. 

Josh Derry, who caught for 65 yards and hauled in a touchdown against the Wildcats last season, is tied for second nationally with five scoring receptions in 2025. But with the Hawks receiving corps also featuring TJ Speight and Gavin Nelson, Monmouth is too rife with weapons for Villanova to key in on one. 

The Wildcats' defense is among the most talented Monmouth can expect to see this season, starting with All-American linebacker Shane Hartzell. The Hawks will have to work for points, but shutting down Monmouth altogether may be unrealistic, which in turn demands Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide to keep pace. 

Is McQuaide ready for that spot? We might know by game's end. 

PREDICTION: Monmouth 34, Villanova 27 

Bryant at Campbell Football

The two newest CAA members meet for just the second time ever, last crossing paths in 2022 when both were in the Big South Conference. Bryant won a 43-37 decision that day in Smithfield. 

Buies Creek hosts the first encounter in Coastal play, and Campbell is looking to break through for its first victory of 2025. The Camels have endured a gut-wrenching start, seeing their second-half lead at top 10-ranked Rhode Island in Week 1 evaporate in the fourth quarter. 

Campbell was again on the wrong end of a fourth-quarter comeback last week, surrendering 10 points to visiting Furman in a 28-24 loss. 

"What we're trying to build and grow to is we don't want to make mistakes on a lot of things," Camels coach Braxton Harris said. "Against really good teams, you've got to go out and make plays to win the ball game." 

While Campbell fell short against a quality Southern Conference opponent, the Camels have shown this season that they are on the cusp of a breakout. In Week 3, that included quarterback Kamden Sixkiller going 34-of-43 passing for almost 300 yards, Randall King catching for 105 yards, and JJ Cowan rushing for two touchdowns. 

Campbell's evident progression in 2025 is comparable to its Week 4 opponent, Bryant, which has already matched its win total of a season ago. 

Bryant coach Chris Merritt praised the Bulldogs for playing with focus in Week 3, handling their business against Div. II Bentley after the team's historic win over FBS opponent UMass in Week 2. Bryant cruised to a 42-6 win with three different Bulldogs rushing for touchdowns — Elijah Elliott, Dylan Kedzior, and Grant Robinson — and Andre Smith's punt block on the first possession of the game, leading to a Zyheem Collick score. 

Bryant now seeks its first CAA win, and the program's first three-game winning streak since the 2018 campaign. 

The Campbell offense, which has at times looked like one of the best in the CAA, must find ways to maintain that level against what has been an excellent Bryant defense. Linebacker Brandon Perkins is averaging almost nine tackles a game to lead the Bulldogs, while Azarel Juste has picked off two passes. 

PREDICTION: Bryant 24, Campbell 20

North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T Football

Although North Carolina A&T leads the all-time series in this rivalry dating back to 1922 with a 53–38–5 mark, North Carolina Central has won the last three straight. 

The Aggies come into this year's 96th installment, however, having just snapped a different drought. Their 33-30 double overtime win last week over Hampton ended A&T's 0-16 start to CAA competition since joining the league in 2023. 

"Locker room, as you can imagine, was very lively," first-year Aggies coach Shawn Gibbs said of the celebration following the comeback victory. A&T rallied from down 10 points in the final minute to force extra frame, scoring on a 41-yard Noah Sanders pass to Jamison Warren, then getting the game-tying field goal from Andrew Brown after a successful onside kick. 

"There's always a chance if you believe," Gibbs said. 

The Aggies now take that belief into this week's rivalry showdown. North Carolina Central rebounded from losses to CAA opponent New Hampshire in Week 1 and a Week 2 blowout loss to FBS opponent Old Dominion with a 49-19 rout of Div. II Fayetteville State. 

Walker Harris passed for three Eagles touchdowns, his best game as NCCU's starting quarterback. He had thrown three interceptions and only one score in the Eagles' two losses. With NCCU coming in, having given up seven sacks on the campaign thus far, the A&T defensive front may be able to generate consistent pressure that translates into takeaway opportunities. 

Tim Alderman and Marquis Hood come into Week 4 each with a pair of sacks for the Aggies, and five combined quarterback hurries. Turnovers have yet to come with any regularity — Joshua Iseah's pick in an outstanding all-around game for him at Tennessee State is the only A&T takeaway — but they should start to roll in as the Aggies keep up pressure on opposing quarterbacks. 

PREDICTION: North Carolina A&T 21, North Carolina Central 20 

Charleston Southern at William & Mary Football

Charleston Southern comes into Zable Stadium winless through three games, but the Buccaneers' mark alone can be misleading. CSU opened with a pair of FBS opponents, opening against current AP Top 25-ranked Vanderbilt before visiting Coastal Carolina. 

The Buccaneer defense was excellent, holding Coastal to just three points through three quarters. CSU came away with three interceptions and forced a pair of fumbles, but the offense was unable to capitalize. 

CSU scored its first touchdown of the season last week in the Big South/OVC opener vs. Lindenwood, building a 21-7 lead, but surrendered 21 fourth-quarter points in a 35-28 loss. 

Much like turnovers helped give CSU a chance late at Coastal, turnovers doomed the Bucs vs. Lindenwood. CSU lost the turnover battle, 2-0, and the Lions were able to parlay an interception into a momentum-flipping touchdown. 

William & Mary, meanwhile, has been on the positive side of the turnover margin through three games. All-America caliber cornerback Jalen Jones came up with a pick in the Tribe's CAA win over Maine, and linebacker Luke Banbury 

PREDICTION: William & Mary 27, Charleston Southern 17 

Youngstown State at Towson Football

Both Youngstown State and Towson head into their Week 4 encounter at Johnny Unitas Stadium coming off of Week 3 dates with Big Ten Conference opponents. Those losses — at Maryland for Towson and at Michigan State for Youngstown State — were each team's first setback of 2025. 

They aim to get back on track in perhaps the most intriguing non-conference game on the entire FCS docket in Week 4. 

Youngstown State checks in at No. 25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and joins Towson among those receiving votes in the STATS Perform Top 25. The winner is likely to land in both polls ahead of Week 5. 

"It doesn't get any easier; they played Michigan State very well," Towson coach Pete Shinnick said of the Penguins. Shinnick praised Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard's dual-threat playmaking for making the Penguins difficult to cover. 

Brungard earned 1st Team All-MVFC in 2024 and is off to a Walter Payton Award-contending start in 2025 with 478 passing and 426 rushing yards through just three games, the latter leading all of FCS.  

The Tigers' veteran linebacker corps of CJ McClendon and Rodney Roane Jr. will be instrumental in Towson's efforts to contain Brungard. The two are active in ball pursuit and dangerous coming off the edges. 

Myles Brodie, who has forced a fumble and come up with a pick through Towson's first three games, is another Tiger to watch. With Youngstown State coming to town, having committed only one turnover in three games, the Towson defense will need a special performance to generate critical takeaways. 

PREDICTION: Youngstown State 34, Towson 28 

Long Island at Rhode Island Football

Preseason CAA favorite Rhode Island is 3-0, but the Rams' perfect start has been anything but easy. Rhode Island needed comebacks against each of Campbell, Stony Brook, and last week at Holy Cross.

Long Island scored the biggest win in the program's brief Div. I existence, knocking off a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent for the first time ever with a 28-23 defeat of Eastern Michigan in Week 2. 

The Sharks swim into CAA territory one week removed from a 24-21 loss to future CAA football member Sacred Heart. The Pioneers scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, culminating in a Matt King field goal as time expired to leave Long Island with the victory. 

Rhode Island's Week 3 contest also came down to a late field goal, but the Rams were on the right end of a 9-7 decision at Holy Cross thanks to Garth White's 41-yarder in the late fourth quarter. 

White accounted for all nine Rams points at Holy Cross, as the slow offensive starts that plagued Rhode Island in CAA wins over Campbell and Stony Brook lasted all 60 minutes in Week 3. 

For Rhode Island to reach its lofty potential, it needs to come out firing offensively and sustain production for an entire game. This week may offer that opportunity. 

Long Island has been solid defensively but hardly impenetrable; with seven passing touchdowns allowed, the Sharks rank in the lower half of FCS defenses. URI could be able to get Marquis Buchanan loose early and unleash the long ball to help spread the field for the rushing attack. 

Antwain Littleton Jr. has been a steady presence in the backfield through Rhody's first three games, both carrying and catching the ball. Look for him to see his heaviest workload to date to help the Rams put together their strongest offensive showing of the season yet. 

PREDICTION: Rhode Island 35, Long Island 17 

2025 AFCA Coaches FCS Preseason Poll

1. North Dakota State

2. South Dakota State

3. Tarleton State

4. Illinois State

5. Montana

6t. Rhode Island

6t. Montana State

8. Idaho

9. UC Davis

10. Lehigh 

11. Southern Illinois

12t. Tennessee Tech

12t. Villanova  

14. UIW

15. Abilene Christian 

16. Jackson State

17. North Dakota

18. Monmouth 

19. Northern Arizona

20. Austin Peay

21. South Dakota 

22. Sacramento State

23. New Hampshire

24. Youngstown State

25. Mercer

2025 CAA Football Predicted Finish

(Selected by a vote of Head Coaches)

1. Rhode Island (8 first-place votes)                163
2. Monmouth (4 first-place votes)                    142
3. Villanova (2 first-place votes)                       139
4. Stony Brook                                                  125
5. UNH                                                              119
6. Towson                                                          108
7. William & Mary                                              104
8. Elon                                                                  98
9. Maine                                                             71
10. Campbell                                                        53
11. Hampton                                                         50
12. UAlbany                                                          47
13. Bryant                                                             32
14. North Carolina A&T                                         23

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