Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post on UMass' projected 2021 season.
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Looking at the Minutemen's 2021 opponents is pretty hit-or-miss because of the screwed up 2020 season. Some teams DNP, many played an altered schedules or had games canceled. That makes it hard to relate 2020 to potential strength in 2021. Anyway, here is my ranking of UMass' 2021 opponents.
- Liberty-- The Flames finished #17 in the final AP poll last year. They are probably better this year. Liberty returns 20 (!) starters and super star QB Malik Willis.
- Boston College--The Eagles may have their best team in the last seven or eight years. BC's O-line features two All-Americans.
- Florida State--The Seminoles face a brutal schedule, but should climb to .500 in the ACC.
- Coastal Carolina-- The Chants went 11-1 in 2020. Coastal only plays one Power Five team (Kansas) in 2021. They could go 12-0 this year.
- Pitt--Looks like another 6-5 season in 2021.
- Toledo--The Rockets return 19 starters and will again challenge for MAC West crown.
- Army--The Black Knights went 9-3 in 2020, but face a tougher schedule this year. Army's defense was #2 in the nation in scoring defense in 2020 and returns seven starters.
- Eastern Michigan--The Eagles went 2-4 in 2020 and most pundits are picking them 5th in MAC West.
- UConn--The Huskies DNP in 2020 and lost pretty heavily in the transfer portal. Right now, UConn's only apparent bright spot is Worcester RB Kevin Mensah.
- Rhode Island--The Rams may have their best team in many, many years. Rhode Island brought in a bunch of Power Five transfers and should compete for the CAA North championship. Tennessee transfer Kasim Hill could be the best QB in the CAA.
- Maine--Not much stands out for the Black Bears. They're probably looking at another .500 season.
- New Mexico State--The Aggies lost to FCS Tarleton State 17-43 and had a last minute win over FCS Dixie State this Spring. Those two teams were by no means FCS powers.
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Congrats to the UMass team for their Spring grades. Coach Bell and staff have really turned around the academic performance of the team.
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