It's been an accepted standard that if a Colonial Athletic Association/Atlantic 10 football team finishes the regular season with three or fewer losses it goes to the playoffs.

Since 1997, Villanova in 2001 is the only CAA/A-10 team with three losses that did not go to the playoffs.

The league has gotten so much respect from the selection committee that even a four-loss team (New Hampshire) got a bid last year.

Everything could be slightly adjusted this year because of the 12-game schedule (although not everybody played 12 games or a dozen against Division I teams), but three losses will likely still be close to the dividing line for at-large bids.

But while the CAA had five teams in the playoffs last year, that's a lot to expect again this season. In fact, quite a few scenarios exist that could leave an 8-3 or 9-3 team out of the playoffs.

Here's a look at the teams still in playoff contention.

ALREADY IN

James Madison (8-1, 6-0 CAA)

Remaining games: vs. William & Mary, Nov. 15; at Towson, Nov. 22

The Dukes are in. The worst they could finish is 8-3 and with a win over Appalachian State, they would be impossible to leave out. If the playoffs started today, James Madison would be the No. 1 seed. The Dukes probably could lose one more game and still be one of the top four seeds in the field.

TEAMS WITH SOME BREATHING ROOM

New Hampshire (7-1, 4-1 CAA)

Remaining games: at Villanova, Saturday; vs. UMass, Nov. 15; at Maine, Nov. 22

The Wildcats are in a slightly a precarious position despite their record. All three remaining opponents are teams who could potentially beat New Hampshire. UNH could still get in the playoffs even if it loses two of its last three games, but might be behind UMass or Maine in the seeding order if one of those teams wins its last three.

Villanova (6-2, 4-1 CAA)

Remaining games: vs. New Hampshire, Saturday; vs. Towson, Nov. 15; at Delaware, Nov. 22

Saturday is a big game for Villanova because a win would position it to be the CAA's No. 2 playoff team with a win over Richmond already on its resume. Neither the Tigers nor the Blue Hens figure to pose much of a challenge.

William & Mary (6-2, 4-1 CAA)

Remaining games: vs. Northeastern, Saturday; at James Madison, Nov. 15; vs. Richmond, Nov. 22

The Tribe needs to win two out of three to earn a spot, but that won't be easy. If the Tribe beats Northeastern and loses to No. 1 James Madison as expected, the season-ending showdown with Richmond could be for a playoff spot.

NEED TO WIN OUT

Richmond (6-3, 3-2 CAA)

Remaining games: at Hofstra, Saturday; vs. Delaware, Nov. 15; at William & Mary, Nov. 22

Barring an upset in the next two weeks, more than likely the season finale against the Tribe is for a playoff spot.

UMass (6-3, 3-2 CAA)

Remaining games: vs. Maine, Saturday; at New Hampshire, Nov. 15; vs. Hofstra, Nov. 22

UMass needs to win all of its games for starters. The Minutemen would climb up further in the seeding order if New Hampshire also loses to either Villanova or Maine.

Maine (6-3, 3-2 CAA)

Remaining games: at UMass, Saturday; vs. URI, Nov. 15; vs. UNH Nov. 22

The Black Bears and UMass have more or less identical resumes. They need to win all three games left on their schedule and root against UNH.

WORST CASE SCENARIO FOR UMASS/MAINE - UMass or Maine could finish 9-3 and still get left out if:

1. New Hampshire beats Villanova and the loser of the UMass-Maine game.

2. William & Mary beats James Madison.

3. Richmond beats William & Mary.

4. The favorites win the other remaining games.

If all of that happened, James Madison and New Hampshire would each be 9-2; Villanova would be 9-3; Richmond would be 9-3 with victories over UMass and Maine; and William & Mary would be 8-3 with a win over the No. 1 team in the nation.

GAME OF THE WEEK: Maine at UMass, noon, Saturday - The loser is out of the playoff picture.

New Hampshire at Villanova, 3:30, Saturday - Both teams are very much still in the hunt not only to make the playoffs, but to earn a home game and maybe even a top-four seed when they get there.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - Saturday's 49-0 domination of Rhode Island earned two Minutemen CAA player of the week honors.

UMass quarterback Liam Coen, who was nearly perfect against the Rams, was the offensive player of the week after completing 15-of-17 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns. This is the second time this season that Coen has received the honor.

UMass linebacker Josh Jennings has been honored three times this season and shared the CAA's defensive player of the week with Dino Vasso of New Hampshire. Jennings had eight tackles and two interceptions, including one for a TD, at Rhode Island Saturday.

Vasso had 12 tackles and two picks, including one for a 66-yard TD, in the 45-25 win over Hofstra.

Scotty McGee of James Madison was named the special teams player of the week after his third punt return for a touchdown this season and his fourth overall return for a score.

Maine freshman tailback Pushaun Brown rushed for 136 yards and a TD on 16 carries to earn rookie of the week honors.

POLL POSITIONING - UMass jumped up two spots to No. 13 in both Football Championship Subdivision polls released Monday. Four other CAA teams also moved up, and James Madison stayed at No. 1 in both polls.

Villanova improved to No. 6 in The Sports Network media poll and No. 8 in the coaches poll; Richmond is ranked No. 6 by the coaches and No. 7 by the media; and New Hampshire is No. 8 (media) and No. 7 (coaches).

William & Mary is No. 14 (media) and No. 16 (coaches).

Maine is receiving votes, but not ranked in either poll.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. For more UMass coverage, including a UMass sports blog, go to http://www.gazettenet.com/category/sports/umass-sports.