Some of the reasons we are ranked so low in preseason previews is that we return so few of our statistical leaders from 2016. UMass needed a QB and Whipple got Andrew Ford. We needed defensive help and the Minutemen should have instant starters in Ali Ali-Musa and Tedrick Lowery.
One void still remains to be filled: tight end. UMass has an excellent recruiting class of TE's with Taylor Edwards, Cody Banks and Alvin Peah. I'd be willing to bet at least one of which will not redshirt. However, I would be a big help to have a experienced TE on the roster. Whipple's pro-set offense runs a lot better with big TE that can catch the ball.
I don't know if Scottsdale CC TE Sal Canella and UMass are still interested in each other, but a transfer TE that can play FBS ball would have an outstanding chance of being on the field against the Gators on September 3rd. Canella's most recent Hudl.com tape.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking of the Gators, Florida has three defensive players on the Bednarik Watch List.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BTW, the whole UMass-Notre Dame game is available online.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Las Cruces Sun-Times reports on New Mexico State's quest to build an independent schedule. It contrasts their situation with UMass and has extensive quotes by UMass AD Ryan Bamford.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC Country has "should win" games for the SEC West. Mississippi State over UMass is one of them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Orlando Sentinel looks at the college football preview magazines.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Campus Insiders ranks the college football conferences for 2016. The MAC in #9 and theAAC is #7.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports ranks all 128 FBS teams by total athletic department success.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
247Sports thinks South Carolina will get six wins and a bowl invite in 2016.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------