UMass Football News--July 10th, 2020

The Big Ten moves to a league-only schedule for 2020.

If the other leagues follow suit, then UMass could be left playing an Independent-only schedule in 2020.

The Minutemen could survive this. We already play four Independents (UConn, New Mexico State, Army and Liberty.) Two games each gives a eight game season and that would be OK given it seems the Fall semester will start early and end at Thanksgiving. We could even just play the East independents. We could also add BYU. UMass has options. The big loser in the Independents-only scenario is New Mexico State. They are not near anybody and nobody is going to want to fly there.

The loss of the Auburn money game would be a hit, but not a fatal one. UMass would save on travel costs. UMass could get the money anyway if Auburn cancels the game or there could be a negotiated partial financial settlement. UConn, Army and Liberty are a bus league. We could play those schools and not have to fly. The Minutemen are also not dependent on big media contracts. We have been surviving with essentially no media money since the move to FBS.

However, I don't think this is the last of the changes. I think it's highly likely even some Power Five schools will cancel their season. So, IMHO, Spring football is looking more and more likely...

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I linked to this article two weeks ago, but it shows how UMass A.D. Ryan Bamford is trying to anticipate all options.

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UConn's schedule takes a hit as the Huskies were going to play two Big Ten teams in 2020.

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BYU may have to scramble to add more Independents to their 2020 schedule.

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Notre Dame will likely play an all ACC schedule.

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Watch Stadium has a story on the percentages of college A.D's who think the 2020 season will be delayed, shrunk, extended or moved to the Spring.

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