BALTIMORE – Massachusetts is the heavy favorite to win the Colonial Athletic Association football championship.

The Minutemen received 17 of a possible 19 first-place votes to win the North Division in a poll of the league’s 12 head coaches and members of the media.

New Hampshire was picked second in the North, followed by Hofstra. Maine was picked to finish fourth, Northeastern fifth and Rhode Island sixth.

Last year the Black Bears finished in fourth place at 3-5 in the CAA. The return 15 starters from last season and 34 players overall.

UMass returns 12 starters from last year’s league championship team, including quarterback Liam Coen, the preseason offensive player of the year.

Maine opens the season Aug. 30 at Iowa and hosts its home opener on Sept. 13 against Stony Brook.

Richmond is favored to win the South Division and received 11 first-place votes.