Today UMass kicks off the 2020 season. As usual, the Minutemen are doing things the hard way playing a team with three games under its belt. I expect UMass to have some trouble with execution and assignments. Still, I'm looking for improvement in most areas.
i.e.
1. Quarterback play. You remember Randal West gave us 20 minutes of ecstasy against Rutgers. He got flushed out the pocket in the second period, ran down the sideline, came up limping and left the game. After that he was never the same. Andrew Brito has a cannon arm, but could not see over the OL and repeatedly threw into double coverage. Mike Curtis played well in one game and never hit the same level again.
I'm looking for a QB who looks like he's an FBS QB. Since it's going to be the first game for whoever starts, I expect some first-game jitters, but I'd like a guy who some command of the offense and moves the team. Last year UMass was #125 in team passing efficiency.
2. Rushing offense. Last year the Minutemen were #114 rushing offense. We've never been above #100 in our eight years in FBS. Being able to run the ball usually means your offense looks good and helps the QB.
3. Rushing defense. The Minutemen were dead last in rushing defense in 2019 (by a huge 40 yards-a-game margin). Run-offense heavy GSU is a tough team to start against, but I want the UMass defense to look competitive. GSU is currently 3rd in FBS in rushing offense with 299 yards/game. The Eagles are #53 in total offense with 387 yards of total offense a game. Keeping them in the 400's would be a real improvement.
Anyway, I want to see a lot of players get reps. Today is a building block for 2021.
Go UMass!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Moran of the Gazette says the UMass defense is ready to contend with GSU's triple option.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GSU will wear its "away" uniforms today to help out UMass who's road uniforms have not yet been received.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Action Network's guy picks UMass to cover the spread.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" previews the Georgia Southern game.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
