Most football pundits (and Las Vegas) rate the two teams as pretty even. The comparisons somewhat show the tough schedule UMass plays as an independent. Hawaii had a feel-good season last year they went 7-5 and won a bowl game, yet the Minutemen played them pretty even. The Warriors did that with a #79th ranked overall offense and a #112 ranked overall defense. They lost to Michigan, San Diego State and Boise State by a combined total of 19-170.
This year they return eight starters on offense including QB Dru Brown (335-209 2,488 19 TD's) and Diocemy Saint Juste who rushed for 1,006 yards and 3 TD's. Last November the Warriors offense rang up 479 yards of offense and averaged 7.5 yards a play against the UMass defense.
On defense, Hawaii returns five starters. They have a new defensive coordinator this year. Hawaii also lost four-year kicker Rigo Sanchez who punted, kicked off and kicked field goals.
My take is this game is that it will come down to the UMass defense. Last year after UMass had scored twice late in the fourth quarter, the Warriors took only three plays to go 78 yards for the game-winning TD. The UMass defense got beat over-the-top several times in that game. Hawaii was also 4-4 in fourth down attempts.
UMass can win tomorrow if the Minutemen defense can play better. A stronger UMass running game would help control the clock and keep Hawaii's offense on the sidelines. I think UMass can win this game, but it's going to be a nail-biter. Someone from the UMass defense needs to make a play.
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Kevin Dillon of MassLive reports UMass is ready to open its 2017 season against Hawaii.
Matty Vautour says it'll be a rematch of last November's showdown.
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Keepers College football ratings has UMass the favorite by 3.3.
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SB Nation reports UMass and Hawaii will be playing a 20,000 mile home-and-home.
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The Boston Herald says A.D. Ryan Bamford has confidence in Mark Whipple.
The Herald also report UMass players Ford and Breneman look to revive the UMass program.
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The Worcester Telegram relates Leominster's Jerell Addo is embracing life as a UMass LB.
The Telegram also says freshman LB Cole McCubrey could contribute right away.
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Saturday Blitz has three things to watch for in Hawaii-UMass game.
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Sportsnaut has the most dangerous Group-of-Five players in the country. It includes UMass' Adam Breneman as well as Hawaii's Jahlani Tavai. UMass fans will also get to see Old Dominion's Ray Lawry, USF's Quinton Flowers and Appalachian State's Jalin Moore.
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The Knoxville News-Sentinel says in most seasons, UMass would be the weakest team on Tennessee's 2017 schedule.
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Former UMass RB Sekai Linsay gets a lot of coverage in this article on Florida Tech's fifth season.
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UMass Athletics announces some strategic leadership changes.
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