Upsets and outstanding performances ushered in October across CAA football. For the second week in a row, the Coastal Athletic Association kicks off with a Friday night affair to begin another intense weekend of midseason action on FloCollege. 

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The Week 7 lineup features six CAA football contests, starting with Friday's non-conference tilt between in-state counterparts Bryant and Brown. Saturday's games include perhaps the most pivotal of the week with Elon putting a six-game conference winning streak dating back to 2024 on the line against perennial CAA title contender Villanova. 

The Phoenix have the opportunity at home to maintain the early pace. Elon joins preseason favorite Rhode Island on top at 2-0, while high-scoring Monmouth returns to league play with a 1-0 mark.

Brown at Bryant Football

Week 7 kicks off in CAA football on Friday night, and it's once again emanating in the Ocean State. 

Last week, Brown stunned preseason CAA favorite and top 10-ranked Rhode Island, 28-21, claiming the Governor's Cup for the first time since 2016. The Bears seek an in-state sweep on Friday, visiting Bryant. 

This year's is the 10th all-time meeting between Bryant and Brown — 99 fewer than the number of games played between Brown and Rhode Island — but 2025 marks the sixth consecutive season in which the two have met. Bryant scored 22 fourth-quarter points to win a 42-35 shootout last season. 

The Bulldogs aim for a faster start this time around — and not just in comparison to their 2024 win over Brown. Bryant dug a deep, early hole last week in a 34-14 loss to Maine, a surprising score after the Bulldogs played each of their first five opponents close throughout. 

Bryant was without quarterback Brennan Myer as the Bulldogs managed just 253 yards of total offense; 109 yards passing from reserve quarterbacks Jaden Keefner and Ridge Docekal. 

"He makes a lot of the things we [do] go," Merritt said of the dual-threat Myer, whose status for Friday is up in the air. "He's week-to-week. We're seeing how things are going." 

Brown gave up 343 yards through the air last week to URI quarterback Devin Farrell, but with a pair of interceptions and two fumble recoveries, the Bears mitigated the potential damage. 

Merritt noted the importance of ball security this week for the Bulldogs. Bryant ranks No. 111 in FCS at minus-6 in total turnover margin. 

PREDICTION: Brown 27, Bryant 23  

Villanova at Elon Football

A dominant road win at New Hampshire has Villanova headed to Elon ranked in the top 20 (No. 17 in the AFCA Coaches Poll, No. 18 in the STATS Perform Top 25) and back on track after dropping its CAA opener to Monmouth. 

The Wildcats look to stay near the front of the pack in what should be a tight race. This week, they visit an Elon team that's right at the front of that pack in the very early stretch of the conference season. 

The Phoenix put on a defensive masterclass at Towson, improving to 2-0 in CAA football with last week's 17-3 win. Jevean Brown delivered a sack, Asher Cunningham picked off a pass, and Elon ground the Tigers down to just 64 yards rushing. 

"Credit our defensive staff on a great game plan, and our players for executing," Phoenix coach Tony Trisciani said. "That's a winning recipe to win games in our league." 

And Elon's won a lot of league games dating back to 2024; six straight, to be exact. The Phoenix opened their CAA slate this season with a 41-20 rout of Hampton, bouncing back from their lone FCS loss of the season. 

At 4-2 overall and 2-0 in CAA, Elon's laid the foundation for a return to the Playoffs. Knocking off Villanova is an important building block to continue that ascension into postseason contention, but the Wildcats have been a consistent roadblock for the Phoenix. 

Elon is winless against Villanova since a 19-14 decision on the Mainline in 2017. The Phoenix have yet to break through against the Wildcats since former Villanova assistant coach Trisciani took over as Elon's head coach in 2019. 

"Well-coached, coming off a big road win just like we are," Trisciani said of Villanova. "And they did it with a balanced attack." 

Villanova's 37-7 romp at New Hampshire may have been the most impressive statement made on the Week 6 slate. After a slow start on offense in its first two games — one of which was at Penn State — Villanova ran off its third straight outing with at least 31 points. 

Pat McQuaide was complementary in the passing game, going 16-of-25 for for 219 yards, balancing a multifaceted rushing attack with David Avit gaining 102 yards; Isaiah Ragland running for 84; and Ja'briel Mace pounding in three touchdowns. 

Avit ranks 18th among all FCS ball-carriers with 472 yards, and the Wildcats are No. 44 nationally with 167 rushing yards per game. It's going to be a matchup of good-on-good, as Elon's rush defense ranks No. 27 in the nation at 127.5 yards allowed per game. 

But if the Phoenix defense can contain Villanova's offense, will Elon be able to control the ball offensively? Trisciani noted points left on the field at Towson, and Elon bookended its 41-point outpouring against Hampton with games of 17 last week and 16 in the loss to ETSU. 

PREDICTION:  Villanova 24, Elon 17 

South Carolina State at North Carolina A&T Football

The rivalry between North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State began in 1924. In 2024, SCSU snapped the longest A&T winning streak in the series' 60 games (seven games). 

The Aggies come back to Truist Stadium for Homecoming looking to shake off both last year's streak-ending loss to the Bulldogs, and a heartbreaking setback in Week 6 at William & Mary. 

A&T had the Tribe on the ropes much of the way, with quarterback Kevin White going 20-of-28 passing for 225 yards and a touchdown throw to Jayvonne Dillard, while running back Wesley Graves rushed for 93 yards and two scores. 

It was perhaps the most impressive offensive performance the Aggies delivered all season. However, surrendering 24 second-half points doomed A&T to a 38-34 loss — its second one-score defeat in CAA play in as many weeks. 

The Aggies wrap up their non-conference slate with SCSU, which comes in off of a 49-6 blowout of Div. II Savannah State. 

SCSU has used two quarterbacks through all six of its games: Dual-threat playmaker Ryan Stubblefield's gone for 988 yards and five touchdowns passing with another 144 and four on the ground; William Atkins IV, who passed for more than 100 yards against FBS opponents South Carolina and USF, threw for three touchdowns in last week's rout. 

SCSU's two-quarterback look poses a unique challenge for the A&T defense, but also another opportunity for standout freshman safety Tyler Howard to shine. Howard only really broke into the rotation the last two weeks, but stepped up with six tackles vs. Maine and four tackles with a forced fumble and interception at William & Mary. 

"He was one of those challenges that I challenged to be better, and he did that," A&T coach Shawn Gibbs said. "I'm excited about the future for Tyler. He's a competitor." 

Howard's is one of two defensive names to know going into Saturday's contest; the other, SCSU end Michael Lunz, is second among all FCS players with 6.5 sacks this season. 

PREDICTION: North Carolina A&T 35, South Carolina State 34 

New Hampshire at Rhode Island Football

Regional counterparts New Hampshire and Rhode Island are both looking to rebound from Week 6 losses. For Rhode Island, its 28-21 setback at rival Brown ended a lengthy streak in the series and marked the Rams' first FCS loss of 2025. 

However, Rhode Island remains in control of its CAA fate with a 2-0 conference mark. New Hampshire, meanwhile, is trying to avoid a sub-.500 hole in the league after its 37-7 loss to Villanova. 

"Disappointed in how he handle the moment," UNH coach Rick Santos said. "Down 14, we have an opportunity late in the first half to go get some points; marching down, had a couple decent plays called [but] had back-to-back sacks that pushed us out of field-goal range. Then, they drive down the field and get a field goal late." 

That swing of as many as 10 points encapsulated what plagued UNH most against Villanova: missed opportunities. 

The same can be said of Rhode Island at Brown, with the Rams coughing up possession four times. 

"That's unfortunately becoming a personality [trait] of ours," URI coach Jim Fleming said. The Rams have committed 14 turnovers in their six games, more than every FCS team save Samford. 

Giveaways have forced Rhode Island to repeatedly play from behind, including in CAA wins over Campbell and Stony Brook. The Rams overcame deficits in both contests, but continuing to have to play from behind can catch up quickly — like it did in the Governor's Cup. 

The challenge for Rhode Island this week as it returns home to Meade Stadium for the first time since a 28-7 rout of Long Island in Week 4 is overcoming its turnover and slow starting habits. 

Expect Devin Farrell to set the tone early for the Rhode Island offense, and look for a spirited effort from the Rams defense. Rohan Davy and A.J. Pena in particular will be key early as URI applies pressure to UNH quarterback Matt Vezza, forcing a Wildcats offense that ranks No. 107 nationally in rushing offense (107 yards per game) well out of its comfort zone. 

PREDICTION: Rhode Island 30, New Hampshire 14 

Campbell at Hampton Football

Hampton returns to CAA competition after winning one of the wildest games of the 2025 college football season. 

The Pirates scored on six of their final eight possessions, overcoming a 21-10 deficit to take down regional rival Norfolk State in the Battle of the Bay. Hampton rushed for 236 yards and four different ball-carriers scored touchdowns in the 41-34 win, with Gracen Goldsmith's 75 yards on just 11 runs setting the pace. 

"Our guys didn't panic. Everybody stayed calm and we refocused," Hampton coach Trenton Boykin said. "To see all three phases really come together was great to see." 

Hampton is back at Armstrong Stadium for another week and pursuing its first CAA win of the season against a Campbell team that shouldn't be judged by its 1-5 record. 

The Camels played two FBS opponents through the first half of the schedule, coming off one such matchup with their visit to NC State in Week 6. Against the FCS, Campbell could just easily be 4-0 with one-score losses to Furman and Western Carolina, and having led Rhode Island deep into the second half in Week 1. 

As it stands, a 50-48, double-overtime victory over Bryant is the Camels' only win. But it means Campbell is 1-1 in the CAA and still very much in the championship hunt. 

"Any time you play a CAA football, you know what you're going to get. It's hard to win football games in the CAA, and it's really hard to win on the road," Campbell coach Braxton Harris said. 

Hampton's rushing attack contrasts with a Camels offense that has had success through the air. Campbell quarterback Kamden Sixkiller has thrown for touchdowns against every FCS opponent the Camels have seen and has nine on the season, helping them to 32.3 points per game in FCS matchups. 

Saturday's showdown in Hampton could be the highest-scoring matchup on the CAA Week 7 docket. 

PREDICTION: Campbell 38, Hampton 31 

Monmouth at Towson Football

Derek Robertson's sizzling pace continued in Week 6. The Monmouth quarterback passed for 351 yards on 25 completions and threw four touchdowns in a 49-38 win over Delaware State. 

Robertson has thrown at least four touchdowns in all five Hawks games, and his 22 scores are the most among all Div. I quarterbacks. The closest competition is Baylor's Sawyer Robertson, who's thrown 19 touchdowns in six games. 

Robertson is maintaining this dizzying pace while sharing the wealth with teammates, like Tra Neal. Neal lobbed a 33-yard bomb to tight end Jack Neri in the win over Delaware State. 

Monmouth's prolific passing attack has also worked in concert with a potent rushing attack. Running back Rodney Nelson exploded for 203 yards against the Hornets, marking his fourth time crossing the century mark in 2025.   

"We could probably talk for hours about the problems [Monmouth's offensive playmakers] present," Towson coach Pete Shinnick laughed. "Quarterback's done an amazing job, o-line is fantastic, wide receivers are very athletic and their running back was just named CAA Offensive Player of the Week." 

"They've got it rolling on offense. They're moving as well as we've ever seen," Shinnick added. 

Monmouth's scored at least 35 points in every game dating back to Nov. 16 of last season. No opponent has held the Hawks to fewer than 20 points since Shinnick's Towson Tigers last October. 

Towson grounded the Hawks in a 26-14 decision last year, thanks in no small part to its work against the run. The Tigers limited Monmouth to just 56 rushing yards and gave up only one touchdown pass to Robertson. 

Duplicating that feat will take a Herculean effort from a Towson defense that in 2025 has endured some ups and downs. The Tigers gave up 247 rushing yards last week in the loss to Elon, which allowed the Phoenix to control the clock. 

Monmouth won't look to play a methodical tempo game in that vein, but also won't need to if Nelson starts cooking and the perimeter is open for Robertson to attack with the pass. 

PREDICTION: Monmouth 45, Towson 21 

2025 AFCA Coaches FCS Preseason Poll

1. North Dakota State

2. South Dakota State

3. Tarleton State

4. Montana 

5. Montana State 

6. UC Davis 

7. Tennessee Tech 

8. Lehigh 

9. Southern Illinois 

10. Illinois State

11. Monmouth 

12. North Dakota

13. Idaho 

14. Jackson State

15. Austin Peay 

16. Northern Arizona 

17. Villanova 

18. Rhode Island 

19. Mercer

20. Youngstown State

21t. Abilene Christian 

21t. West Georgia 

23. Presbyterian 

24. Lamar 

25. Harvard

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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