Game Day--Wisconsin

Today we open UMass's season with Wisconsin. The Badgers are looking to go to their fourth straight Rose Bowl. They would be a challenge for any non-BCS team, and most BCS-level squads too.

But playing Wisconsin is what we need to to go get to full scholarships in 2015. It is another step to a having a competitive football team. Last year UMass football ran a deficit of a couple of hundred thousand dollars. Last year we were a "provisional" FBS team and we received about 60% of the guarantees normally received by visiting teams. The Michigan game provided $550K. This year Wisconsin will give us $900K. Do the math.

Coach Jimmie Reid always said he wanted UMass to play the best. Coach Whipple, when he was asked if UMass could play and compete as a FBS team said sure we could, but we'd "take our lumps the first couple years".

247 Sports has UMass in the top half of the MAC in 2014 recruiting so far. Most recruiting services showed the Minutemen did well in recruiting in 2013 and those rankings do not include Shakur Nesmith and the three BCS senior transfers.

UMass football is on the rise. Today is part of it. I've going to wear my UMass t-shirt and cheer for the Minutemen.

Go UMass!

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MassLive says Coach Molnar is excited to see the Minutemen play.

The Hampshire Gazette says UMass is set to open against Wisconsin.

Wisconsin wants to keep is simple against the Minutemen.

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The Boston Globe says UMass has a tough opener against the Badgers.

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ESPN says UMass is a heavy underdog against Wisconsin.

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Meanwhile, Maine is excited about Norfolk State. The Black Bears have been a good FCS foe over the years and I respect Maine a lot, but that headline says volumes about where we were and where we are going.

The Kennebec Journal says questions follow the Black Bears to Virginia.

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This is sad. Hope Coach Durkin gets this squared away.

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ESPN says Victor Cruz is on the mend.

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Emil Igwenagu will find out today if he made the Eagles.

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