UMass opens its season with a Big 10 team Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are a challenge. They have three All-Americans on offense. Anton Raymond 5-11 205 is one of the top running backs in all of college football. He ran for 1275 yards and 13 TD's against Big 10 defenses. UMass will get a heavy dose of Raymond tonight.
If the Minutemen try to pack the box, Rutgers has KJ Duff a 6-6 225 pound wide receiver. He had 60 catches for 1084 yards. He led the nation in contested catches in 2025.
For run and pass blocking they have Kwabena Asamoah, a 6-2 310 RG, who is a sure NFL pick.
On defense, the Scarlet Knights are mostly, like UMass, new. Rutgers was 125th in total defense in 2025, but that does not reflect this year's team.
The Minutemen are fated to lose this game, but I'd like to see some football plays from UMass. Some flashes at running the ball , good open field tackling, a couple of down-the-field pass completions.
I'd like to see the Minutemen play with intensity and compete. Just show we're not in 2025 anymore.
I'll be watching the game on ESPN+ and cheering for the Minutemen.
Go UMass!!
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The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" previews the UMass-Rutgers game and predicts Scarlet Knights 38-Minutemen 17.
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On the Banks has three keys for Rutgers against UMass.
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CBS Sports says their model thinks the game will go "over" 51.0 points.
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UMass extends their partnership with Bay State Health with on-the-field logos.
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Rutgers starts a new kicker.
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The Daily Targum (?) says UMass won't be much of a test for the Scarlet Knights.
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The Scarlet Nation reports 9 national pundits pick Rutgers to win, 0 pick UMass.
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Also on ESPN+ tonight is ex-UMass QB AJ Hariston and Merrimack against FBS Delaware.
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UCLA fires their athletic director days before their opening game.
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