The Massachusetts Minutemen come in off of back-to-back 1-11 seasons and that includes a 2-14 mark in the MAC over that stretch. This year they do have 13 starters back but they also have little depth with just 34 lettermen back. Preview & schedule are below.
The Minutemen put up a mere 12.7 ppg last year, but they should be a bit better this year with 7 starters back and should be better off at the QB slot this year with Marshall transfer, Blake Fronhapple slated to take over for the ineffective AJ Doyle, who has just 6 TD’s compared to 11 INTs last year. Blake does have some experience back at WR as all 3 starters have starting experience, but only Tajae Sharpe had more than 14 receptions last year as he led the team with 61 for 680 yards and 4 TDs. UMass did get Penn State transfer Alex Kenney, who was the 36th best WR out of high school back in 2010. The running game didn’t do a whole lot last year, but the top two backs return in Jamal Wilson and Lorenzo Woodley after combining 782 yards and 3 TDs last year. The OL is a little young, but still this looks like a stronger group than last year. The UMass defense allowed 33 ppg last year, which was an improvement of 7 points over what they allowed in 2012. The Minutemen do bring back 6 starters on this side of the ball, but just 2 of their front 7 return mean this team could struggle vs the run again after allowing 216 ypg on the ground last year. The secondary has all 4 starters back from last year and are clearly the strength of this defense, but still the talent level is not there and the rate as one of the worst in the MAC.
It is very hard for this team to recruit properly as they are a lame duck team with their future being uncertain after the 2015 season, which is when they are slated to leave the MAC. This year they do appear to be stronger on offense, especially with much better QB play expected under the guidance of Fronhapple. The defense has the worst front 7 in the league, along with a bad secondary, so you can expect another long year from this defense. The Minutemen just don’t have the talent to compete in even the Mack and it looks as if it could be another 1 win season for the Minutemen. KEY TREND: No Relevant Trends
2014 UMass Minutemen Football Schedule
Aug. 30 Boston College
Sep. 6 Colorado
Sep. 13 at Vanderbilt
Sep. 20 at Penn State
Sep. 27 Bowling Green
Oct. 4 at Miami Univ.
Oct. 11 at Kent State
Oct. 18 Eastern Michigan
Oct. 25 at Toledo
Nov. 5 OPEN DATE
Nov. 12 Ball State
Nov. 18 at Akron
Nov. 28 Buffalo
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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