The football conference they play in has a new name and new headquarters, but it’s business as usual for the University of Maine Black Bears.

Goodbye Atlantic 10 Conference, hello Colonial Athletic Association. That’s about the only major change as once again, Maine is picked to finish third in the CAA North Division, according to a preseason poll of the conference’s 12 head coaches.

The Bears were picked third last year and fourth in 2005. They went 6-5 overall and 5-3 in A-10 play, finishing second in the division and 24th nationally in The Sports Network’s final regular-season poll. Head coach Jack Cosgrove sees no reason to lower goals or expectations for the program.

“Some things never change, right?” Cosgrove said. “I think it’s a combination of things.

“We may not have been as productive the last four years as we’d like, but we’ve been pretty consistent. Mostly, I think we’ve established a level of respect.”

Two UMaine players certainly have this year, as defensive lineman Bruno Dorismond and offensive lineman Shawn Demaray of Livermore Falls – both seniors – were both named to the preseason All-CAA Team at the CAA preseason media day in Baltimore Wednesday.

“They ran a nice video outlook for the upcoming season and a highlight tape of the all-conference guys,” said Cosgrove. “The Bruno segment really made you look and say ‘wow.” He’s pretty impressive. He was kind of forgotten about because of [Mike] DeVito and [Matt] King, but he’s a heck of a football player. I know I was impressed by those highlights.”

Last season, Bruno was a third team all-conference pick.

“We told him he had to be better than that and used it as a motivational tool, so stuff like this does have an impact,” said Cosgrove. “As far as Shawn, it’s nice to see him recognized for his consistency. “With Shawn, it comes out of the blue a little more, but in both cases it’s a nice shot in the arm.”

Cosgrove said the emergence and sustained success of Maine’s defense in recent seasons is a prime reason for the respect paid to the Bears.

“I think the defense got better and better as the year went on and added a swagger of confidence,” he said. “And I don’t see why we can’t pick up and run with that mindset again this year.”

Once again, Massachusetts was picked as the team to beat in the North – and the conference overall – with the University of New Hampshire second. Northeastern, Hofstra, and Rhode Island round out the rest of the North behind Maine.

In the South, James Madison University is again the favorite.

All 12 Atlantic 10 football programs were absorbed into the CAA in the offseason as six of the A-10 schools were already affiliated with the CAA in other sports. This move helped streamline things for existing CAA schools while still keeping the 12 former A-10 football programs together.

“Starting with the name, I think there is a new leadership focus in this league, make no mistake,” said Cosgrove. “It has more of a southern flavor to it with the league office in Richmond. That’s exciting to me because in the south, there are two sports: Football and spring football.”

Maine’s 2007 season kicks off Sept. 1 when the Bears host Monmouth in a 1 p.m. game at Alfond Stadium.

The CAA preseason players of the year are UNH quarterback Ricky Santos (offensive) and JMU safety Tony LeZotte (defensive).

CAA FOOTBALL POLL

North Division

(First-place votes in parentheses)

1. Massachusetts (15)

2. New Hampshire (8)

3. MAINE

4. Northeastern

5. Hofstra

6. Rhode Island

South Division

1. James Madison (11)

2. Delaware (10)

3. Towson (1)

4. Richmond

5. Villanova (1)

6. William & Mary

Overall Champion: Massachusetts