UMass Football News--November 17th, 2017

A quick look at BYU:

Last year the Cougars went 9-4 with victories over Arizona and Michigan State. They beat Wyoming 24-21 in the Poinsettia Bowl. This year, BYU is having a once-in-a-generation bad year for them. The Cougars are 3-8 with wins over FCS Portland State, San Jose State and UNLV. BYU is down to their third-string QB Joe Critchlow. However, their struggles started with starter Tanner Mangum. The Cougars are #120 in the nation in total offense. They are #61 in scoring defense allowing only 25.9 points a game.

BYU will want to run the ball with all-name team Squally Canada (5-11 217). He's gone 92-546 5.9 AVE 4 TD's. Canada ran for 213 yards and a 8.5 yards/carry against UNLV. Stopping Canada will be a priority for the UMass defense. BYU probably won't win a passing contest with UMass' offense.

A chance like this won't come very often. BYU has Power Five fan base and program. They should be in the Big 12 or PAC Ten. A win over the Cougars (even during this year) would be a major milestone for the Minutemen.

Go UMass!

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Matty Vautour says BYU presents another chance for revenge. I was there last year in Provo. The Minutemen played the Cougars even for the first half, then fell apart in the second ---really fell apart. Ford threw a INT for pick-six. We had a punt blocked to give BYU a short field. We fumbled two kick returns to give BYU more field position and we had a running-into-the-punter penalty that allowed another BYU scoring drive to continue. UMass gave away 28 points in second half.

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" previews the BYU game.

Cougar Blue ranks UMass #9 in BYU opponent power rankings.

The Deseret News reports the Minutemen's complex offense will poise problems for BYU's defense.

Saturday's game will be Senior Day for the Cougars.

BYU wants to send the seniors off with a win.

BYU QB "Big Critch" is taking his new celebrity status in stride.

SB Nation picks UMass 26 BYU 25.

Bleacher Report predicts UMass 38 BYU 35.

Athlon Sports predicts UMass 24 BYU 21.

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