Tuesday before Boston College--September 6th, 2016

UMass has it's game notes up for the BC game.

A cut-and-paste from the game notes:

"UMass featured 10 first-time starters on offense and defense at No. 25 Florida. This total does not include tight end Adam Breneman, who made his first start as a Minuteman but previously started for the Penn State program.

On offense, the new starters included Ross Comis (QB), Marquis Young (RB), Jack Driscoll (OL), Jake Largay (OL) and Raquan Thomas (OL).

On defense, Ali Ali-Musa (DL), Steve Casali (LB), Tedrick Lowery (LB), James Allen (CB) and Lee Moses (SS) marked the first-time starters.

Seventeen members of the UMass football program made their first appearances as Minutemen during the 2016 season-opener at No. 25 Florida. These 17 include Ali Ali-Musa, Bilal Ally, James Bowe Jr., Adam Breneman, Colbert Calhoun, Jack Driscoll, Derek Dumais, Andrew Ford, Malik Lee, Tedrick Lowery, Brandon Mangram, Martin Mangram, Sadiq Palmer, Mario Patton, Travis Reynolds, Isaiah Rodgers and Raquan Thomas."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transcript from BC coach Steve Addazio's weekly press conference for UMass.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keepers College football ratings has BC over UMass by 24.02 (a .pdf download).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Gators felt UMass made it too close for comfort.

247Sports has a 132 image gallery from the Gators-Minutemen game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andrew Ford

The UMass Daily Collegian features transfer QB Andrew Ford.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BC Interruption kicks off its UMass week coverage.

Paul Johnson says Georgia Tech was lucky to beat Boston College.

Cillian Shields of the Boston Herald says, despite the loss, the Eagles trip to Ireland was a big success.

The Atlanta Journal reviews the BC-Georgia Tech game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Minutemen's next foe after Boston College is Florida International. The Panthers play Maryland this week. 247 Sports takes a look at FIU after their loss to Indiana.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the first time since 1936, New Hampshire will play in a new stadium as they open in Wildcat Stadium.

Too bad they didn't take the opportunity to get rid of the track. I think tracks just ruin the atmosphere at football game by moving the fans back from the field. I've been to UNH games more than a dozen times and there is plenty of room next to the field to relocate the track.

Monday before Boston College--September 5th, 2016

Video highlights of the Florida game from the UMass site.

UMass has a small photo gallery here.

YouTube video from the Gators side.

A SEC/Gator fan has a audio review of the game here. He covers the UMass side in the first eight minutes. He's complementary towards the Minutemen.

The entire game is available on YouTube if you weren't able to view it Saturday.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dan Malone reports UMass threatened the upset.

Matty Vautour has observations from a promising start.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prior to the Florida game, UMass practiced at Ocala High School. I would think the Minutemen would have some nifty video to show potential Florida recruits.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately, Gator WR Dre Massey suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for the rest of the year. All UMass fans wish him a speedy recovery.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boston College opens as a 16.5 point favorite over the Minutemen. BC Interruption has a post on the point spread.

BC Interruption does not like coach Addazio's game management.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Houston made it's case for joining the Big 12 look good with a solid win over #3 Oklahoma.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The day after Florida --September 4th, 2016

Well we didn't look like the 128th ranked team in the country did we?

The Minutemen went toe-to-toe with the Gators for most of the game. I was especially pleased with the UMass defense. If finally looked as if we had enough depth up front to play some attacking defense. We ran some blitzes and line stunts. Da'Sean Downey played a great game with several hurries on Del Rio. The Gators were forced to punt 4 times and the Minutemen stopped three Florida drives that resulted in field goals. At times the defense looked well, almost Don Brown-like.

Quote from the Gators writeup:

"For UF, the most apropos response would have been a vintage Spurrier-like offensive eruption of, say, 60 points and 500-plus yards.

But nope."

UMass held the Gator offense to two TD's. And one of those was a busted coverage by Khari Bailey-Smith who inexplicably let Callaway loose in first quarter.

The Minutemen offense didn't do much, remembering the Gator defense was billed as the best "D" in the nation. UMass found a star in Andy Isabella who had three catches for 95 yards---and the first was a nifty over-the-shoulder catch for 53 yards that flipped the field. Marquis Young battled all night, but didn't have much room against a fast and athletic Gator defense. Ross Comis played as well as could be expected against a tough Gator defense. He didn't throw an INT and didn't fumble despite several big hits.

All-in-all a great effort. UMass looked like they belonged.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass write-up here.

Florida write-up here.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dan Malone says the Minutemen threatened an upset.

Matty Vautour says UMass put a scare into Florida.

Matty has a notebook from the game.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Boston Herald says UMass put a scare into the Gators.

The Miami Herald reports a late offensive outburst pushed Florida past the Minutemen.

SEC Country said "Del Rio was under duress all night and the backs didn’t have any running room."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mississippi State lost to South Alabama.

Old Dominion's game was postponed until this afternoon because of the tropical storm.

Louisiana Tech came within a eyelash of upsetting Arkansas. 

Troy rang up 706 yards of offense against Austin Peay.

BYU beat Arizona on a last second field goal.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Richmond was all over Virginia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game Day--Florida September 3rd, 2016

The UMass-Gators game is available on channel 408 of Dish Network here in New Hampshire.

UPDATE: Dan Malone has media options for today's game.

UPDATE II: Boston College loses to Georgia Tech in Ireland. No sure what we learned about the Eagles in this. A lush, soggy field slowed the Wreck's triple option offense and BC's killer defense could not fly to the ball. BC stopped Georgia Tech except when it mattered,on the last drive. The Eagles special teams did not impress either. Toles can throw a spiral, but he looked rusty. BC Interruption reacts.

UPDATE III: I'm enjoying the SEC channel's voice-of-doom promos for the next game.

Florida vs UMass! Next on the SEC channel!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's a big challenge today against the Gators. I do believe we have a better football team in 2016. Let's not get rattled by the Swamp and play under control.

I'm excited to see the Minutemen back on the field. This is what we all obsess about all year long. I still remember how quiet Notre Dame stadium was 20 minutes into the game. I hope UMass can keep it close early and then see what happens.

Let's go, UMass!!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour report Ross Comis hopes to lead UMass to respectability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Traini of Fight Massachusetts previews the Florida game.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEC Country says the Gators should feast in the swamp.

Athlon Sports predicts Gators 52-UMass 10.

Only Gators previews the game.

The Miami Herald says the Gators are not overlooking lowly UMass.

SEC Country says Florida's misery streak ends today against the Minutemen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I watched Army upset Temple last night. The announcers talked about Temple's last minute win over UMass with a blocked extra point. Temple was tied for second in the nation in blocked kicks with 14 last year.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I reported Thursday's game results, I forgot Wagner topped sub-FCS St. Anslem 38-16.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BC-Georgia Tech starts at 7:30 AM on ESPN 2.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday before the Gators--August 2nd, 2016

Dan Malone reports coach Whipple thinks UMass will be up for the challenge of playing in the Swamp.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass beat writer Matty Vautour has a podcast with UMass announcer Matt Goldstein on the UMass-Florida game.

He also has the Minutemen look to pull off a historic upset Saturday.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Boston Herald features UMass WR Bernard Davis.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Alligator says UMass confident despite being overmatched.

SEC Country says Ross Comis faces a daunting debut.

Marty Cohen of 247 Sports predicts Gators 48 Minutemen 3.

SEC Country has five questions with Matty Vautour.

Gator Country predicts a complete victory for Florida.

Sports Chat Place has the Gators by 36.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryan Bamford would be open to a football-only return to the MAC.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maine almost beat UConn last night. Maine botched their late field goal try and UConn's kicker nailed it to put the Huskies over the top.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Indiana, with six players suspended, scored 22 points in the fourth quarter to beat FIU 34-13.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

South Carolina edged Vanderbilt 13-10 on a field goal with 55 seconds left.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wake Forest edged Tulane 7-3.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday before the Gators--September 1st, 2016

UMass A.D. Ryan Bamford will be on a live video chat today 3:00-3:30 PM.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark Whipple thinks the Gators are a complete football team.

Dan Malone reports UMass is expecting big things from Penn State transfer Adam Breneman.

Dan also has a report on why national outlets have UMass at the bottom of the FBS heap. No mystery for UMass fans. National writers don't do much but reviews the stats. The Minutemen lost most of their offensive numbers when Frohnapfel and Sharpe graduated. With the toughest schedule in the Group-of-five, and little in the way of returning firepower, the Minutemen would be ranked low. Let's just prove everyone wrong.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour reports Whipple was pleased with fall camp and practice this week. Matty also reports the true freshman WR's Sadiq Palmer and Elijiah Robinson will make the Florida trip as well as LB Rod Jones Jr. Palmer and Robinson were impressive in the scrimmage I attended and IMHO could end up playing with the 1's by the end of the season.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over at BC Interruption they had a round table on expectations for 2016 and the lowest guess was 7-5.

The Boston Herald looks at the good and the bad for the Eagles.

Boston College still has not named a starter at QB.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KSL.com looks at the second half of the Cougar's schedule and picks BYU over the Minutemen 49-7.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Washington State writer thinks the Gators will cover the 36 point spread against UMass.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gator WR C.J. Worton is out of the UMass game with a high-ankle sprain.

ESPN Gainsville says Florida has a "three-headed monster" at RB.

The Gators will have five players suspended for the UMass game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UConn and Maine play tonight. The game will be on NESN+ and ESPN3.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday before the Gators, August 31st, 2016

Last day of August. Football is coming. My absolute favorite time of year.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first UMass Radio Show is tonight from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Coach Whipple will be there.

Although the press release does not explicitly say so, in the past WEEI Springfield has streamed the audio from the radio show.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour looks at what it will take for the Minutemen to be successful in 2016. The 2015 Minutemen team was not as good at the 2014 squad. UMass needs better kicking, better offensive line play and better Red Zone results to be competitive in 2016. We'll see how it shakes out.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEC Country has an article well worth reading about Whipple's connection with Gator coach Jim McElain. Talks about recruiting in talent-rich Florida and the fact UMass is open to playing more games in the Sunshine State.

Fox sports previews the UMass-Florida game.

Campus Insiders says Whipple has the Minutemen practicing a silent count to cope with the noise at the Swamp.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sam the Minuteman visits the Today Show---brings food.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amherst native Taj-Amir Torres talks about BC's trip to Ireland to play Georgia Tech.

A Georgia Tech blog has BC coach Steve Addazio talking about the 2016 version of the Eagles.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CBS Sports says Tajae Sharpe is the fantasy player you must have.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday before the Gators 08/30/2016

UMass has their game notes for Florida up.

So does Florida.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday news from the Gators.

Antonio Callaway, the SEC's leading receiver, has been cleared to play against UMass.

The Gators two-deep for UMass.

The Miami Herald says the Gators are ready to have a good time.

Florida HC Jim MeElwain comments on the UMass game.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CBS Sports previews the UMass-Florida game. Requires Adobe Flash player.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass opens as a 37 point underdog to Florida.

Dan Malone has the Minutemen's first official two-deep of the season. Bilal Allay and Raquan Thomas make the offense's two-deep. Jake Largay is listed as the starter at RG.

Isaiah Rogers and Bakhari Goodson make the defensive backfield's two-deep as freshmen and James Bowie at LB.

Mike Caggiano is listed as the kicker.

Dan has notes about the two-deep. As Dan says, I expect a lot more rotation than listed especially on defense. If healthy, I would expect the all the JUCO's to play.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour has a post on the Minutemen's new two-deep.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" previews the 2016 UMass season.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former UMass player Jordan Fiske joins the Minutemen strength and conditioning staff.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Randall Jette was cut by the Packers. Marken Michel also likely to be released.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Boston College blog "Eagle in Atlanta" looks at BC's season and predicts a win over UMass.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday--August 29th, 2016

Gator Athletic Dept image

Florida is doing a Giga-pixel 360 degree fan image. For the luckey Minutemen fans going to the Swamp. You can sign up here to tag yourself on the image.

More on the Gators activities for the UMass game including the panorama cam here.

Florida is ready to unveil a revamped offense.

Mississippi State blog "For Whom the Cowbell Tolls" predicts Florida over UMass 27-3.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Boston Globe highlights UMass QB Ross Comis.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maine opens with a Thursday night game against UConn. Mentions Liam Coan as the Black Bears new offensive coordinator.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

This article about Cedar Cliff football mentions UMass transfers Adam Breneman and Andrew Ford.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CBS Sports says Victor Cruz looks like his old self.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More on Tajae Sharpe's 60-yard catch against the Raiders.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday--August 28th, 2016

The Lincoln Journal-Star has Marquis Young among "players-to-watch" in their Independents league review.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Clarion-Ledger previews Mississippi State season.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jacksonville.com says UMass will provide a confidence booster for Luke Del Rio.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Daily Press previews Old Dominion's schedule.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Knoxville News profiles former UMass assistant coach Bob Shoop. Mentions UMass and Don Brown.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Salt Lake Tribune previews the BYU Cougars.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cal cruised by Hawaii 51-31 in Australia to open the 2016 college football season.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

NFLcom has Tajae Sharpe's big catch against Oakland.

Fan Sided asks if Sharpe can lead all rookie WR's.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Victor Cruz makes his first catch in 685 days.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday--August 27th, 2016

One week to the Swamp!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass announces TV coverage for six home games plus @ Florida and @ ODU.

Florida (Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m.) | SEC Network (SEC channel finder)
Boston College (Sept. 10, 12 p.m.) | NESNplus (NESN and NESN Plus channel finder)
FIU (Sept. 17, 3:30 p.m.) | NESNplus, NESN National
Mississippi State (Sept. 24, 3:30 p.m.) | NESNplus
Tulane (Oct. 1, 3:30 p.m.) | NESN, NESN National (NESN National channel finder)
Old Dominion (Oct. 8, 6 p.m.) | CUSA-TV(Conference USA TV)
Louisiana Tech (Oct. 15, 3:30 p.m.) | NESN (until 6 p.m.), NESNplus
Wagner (Oct. 29, 12 p.m.) | NESNplus, NESN National

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour reports James Allen hopes to prove to the Gators they made a mistake by not offering to him.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Gators begin working on a game plan for UMass.

The status of three Florida receivers is still unclear.

The SEC Network predicts Florida's season game by game.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

A New Orleans writer looks at Tulane's season and as usual, predicts a win over UMass.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

BC Interruption looks at the potential two-deep for the Eagles.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tajae Sharpe on adjusting to the NFL.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The NFL Network replays the Packers-49ers game today at 4:30. Set your DVR to check on Randall Jette.

All the NFL Network games schedule here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday--August 26th, 2016

Mic'd up with UMass defensive coordinator Tom Masella. His UMass bio.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dan Malone looks at the potential two-deep for the Minutemen. Players who were not on our radar at the start of camp would be:

Adam Breneman TE

Sadiq Palmer at WR.

Peytton Pickett and Bilal Ally at RB

Jake Largay and Raquan Thomas in the OL.

Isaiah Rogers in the defensive secondary.

Colburt Calhoun at LB

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dan has a post on QB Andrew Ford is feeling more comfortable. Ford probably doesn't know the offense that well at this stage in his career at UMass. Still think he's going make a strong bid to start sometime down the line.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suspended Gator players Teez Tabor and C'yontai Lewis won't play against UMass.

Formerly suspended Gator WR Antonio Callaway thinks he'll be playing in the season opener against the Minutemen.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass plays one of the Group-of-Five's best teams when they tangle with Louisana Tech later this year. USA Today looks at the Bull Dog's floor and ceiling for the 2016 season. The writer expects a blowout win against the Minutemen.

Tech gets a DB transfer from Oregon State who can play right away.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Victor Cruz is ready to play against the Jets.

It'll be Cruz's first game action in 685 days.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Iowa's Chris Doyle is now the highest-paid strength coach in the country at $595,000 a year. UMass' coach Connolly probably doesn't make that much.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Need some motivation today? Check out Navy Football's pump-up video.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday--August 25th, 2016

UMass has a 2016 Press Guide here. It's a .pdf download. Staples or Kinkos will print it out and bind in spiral format for about $10 or so.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The first UMass football luncheon will be held on August 31st.

There will also be a Pep Rally at the Boston Harbor Hotel on Friday September 9th, which is the day before the Boston College game.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dan Malone has a post on James Allen, the player formerly known as James Oliphant. UMass needs all the defensive help it can get, so Allen's resurgence would help. His kick returns would also help to give the offensive a shorter field. Allen went 34-785 23.1 AVE 1 TD 97 LONG in 2015.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour has a story about Jackson Porter returning to the defensive backfield.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Sentinel & Enterprise has a story about UMass featuring DL coach Matt Dawson.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEC Country mentions Ross Comis being named starter for the Florida game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alligator.com predicts Florida's season.

The Gators will start working on their game plan for UMass today.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Montgomery Advisor looks at South Carolina.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Victor Cruz is looking better at camp.

247Sports remembers when a undrafted free agent had a breakout game against the Jets.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recruiting 2018 Justin Johnson II

Back on June 22nd, I blogged about Justin Johnson, a 6-6 330 pound OL from Inhotep Charter School in PA.

Mike Traini has a post on Johnson updating his recruiting.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday--August 24th, 2016

Coach Palermo's UMass bio.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dan Malone reports Ross Comis will start against the Gators.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour has a post featuring UMass center Fabian Hoeller and also training camp news.

Matty reports Whipple has praised TE transfer Adam Breneman and also said true freshman Raquan Thomas won't redshirt. Matty also reports Jalen Williams will make the Florida trip despite not practicing so far in camp. Bernard Davis and Shakur Nesmith will start.  Also making the travel squad are WR's Andy Isabella, Sadiq Palmer, Dan Jonah and Conner Lemieux.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Sentinel & Enterprise features UMass receiver Conner Lemieux.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ESPN Gainsville says the Gators are gaining ground in camp.

QB Luke Del Rio will be the first former walk-on to start for the Gators in almost 20 years.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The BC Blog "BC Interruption" looks at the Eagles defense including new defensive coordinator (and former UMass HC) Jimmie Reid.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

News Oklahoma says UConn's athletic budget sets it apart from other Big 12 suitors.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday--August 23rd, 2016

Hey, it's 48 degrees here in Jaffrey this morning! Feels like Fall. Feels like football! Video is UMass cadence. Turn your computer speakers all the way up.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's do the bad news first, Austin Whipple was arrested for DWI Saturday night. Mike Traini of Fight Massachusetts reacts. Don't drink and drive. It's a tragedy waiting to happen. Not to mention the Globe will love something like this.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour says JUCO transfer could make an impact with the UMass defense this fall. This is a smart move on the part of Whipple and staff. The UMass "D" got the short end of the recruiting numbers for the first couple of years in FBS. Not to mention of the six FBS games we've won, five were due to outstanding defensive efforts. The Minutemen need to fill deficiencies in the roster with JUCO's and transfers. That's just a fact of life for our program at this stage.

Ali Ali-Musa and Tedrick Lowery are sure starters. Linebackers Rod Jones and Colbert Calhoun should be in the rotation. Davone Hall at 6-2 330 gives UMass some much needed size on the DL. Jordan Hamilton was good enough to get an offer from Air Force.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dan Malone has a post on the rebuilt Minutemen offensive line. I thought the OL underperformed last year. With five Power Five teams on this year's schedule, a better running game would sure help.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tajae Sharpe has graded out as the top NFL rookie so far in camp.

Marcus Mariota says Sharpe makes it easy on the quarterback.

iSportsweb.com reports the Titans had a Sharpe take on their game with the Panthers.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Florida Gators open at #25 in the preseason AP poll.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Austin Burton, a QB from Newton South, who had a UMass offer has flipped his commitment from Boston College to UCLA.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hawaii and Cal prepare for kickoff in Australia this Friday.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday--August 22nd, 2016

Matty Vautour looks at competition to make the traveling squad among the UMass running backs.

The Minutemen went into Spring ball with only two scholarship RB's: Marquis Young and Sekai Lindsay. IMHO, that means at least one and possibly both freshmen RB's Bilal Ally and Peytton Picket are a virtual lock to see some significant carries in 2016. John Robinson-Woodget is the starting FB. Whipple likes to see the FB catch the ball out of the backfield, but rarely calls a running play that position. Andrew Libby will probably back up Robinson-Woodget at FB.

Peytton Pickett

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For some incoherent writing, read this write-up on UMass-South Carolina.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Orlando Sentinel says it'll be running backs by committee for the Gators.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour report Tajae Sharpe is playing like a veteran for Tennessee.

CBS Sports says Sharpe is a phenomenal fantasy football late-round sleeper.

Yahoo Sports reports the Titans looked Sharpe against the Panthers.

The Nashville Post says Sharpe looks to redefine the rookie standards for the Titans.

247 Sports has a post that says Sharpe isn't playing like a rookie.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Victor Cruz returns to practice today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday--August 21st, 2016

Watched the Ravens-Colts game last night. Vladimir Ducasse was playing RG for Baltimore.

Ducasse started 6 games for Chicago last year and the Bears won five of the six. Ducasse is in his seventh year in the NFL.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Titans Online image

Inquisitr.com says Tajae Sharpe is one of the top-five fantasy football picks.

The Tennessean reports Marcus Mariota and Tajae Sharpe look like old pros.

Sharpe caught all six passes thrown to him against Panthers.

If you're only going to read one of these links, read Tajae Sharpe looks like a real gem for the Titans.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pilot Online says Old Dominion will have hustle to keep their sellout streak going for the UMass and FIU games on October 8th and November 26th respectively.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sports on Earth previews the FBS independents and predicts UMass will go 2-10.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEC Country reports analysts are saying Florida's D-line is the best in the SEC, but the Gators want to be the best in the nation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

BC holds final scrimmage of fall camp and starts to prepare for Georgia Tech.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday--August 20th, 2016

UMass has a practice at Gillette.

They then hit the beach for a cookout.

From the UMass Twitter feed

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

How Luke Del Rio became the starting QB for the Gators.

Florida coach Jim McElwain embraces the chaos that has been the Gators training camp.

2016 Gators pump-up

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fan Sided previews the 2016 Boston College Eagles.

BC WR Elijah Robinson hopes to add a vertical dimension to BC's offense.

Campus Insiders looks at every game of the Eagles' schedule and predicts a "blowout" win over the Minutemen.

Eagles 2016 hype video above.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Iowa State's president says the Big 12's expansion decision may take longer than anticipated.

CBS Sports ranks the top-ten suitors for Big 10 membership.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday--August 19th, 2016

Dan Malone has a post on UMass kickers Logan Laurant and Mike Caggino. Laurant and Caggiano's bios here and here.

Kicking is another facet of UMass football that Minutemen fans hope has turned the corner in 2016. We would have won at least four more games in our FBS era with better kicking. Look at last year. UMass had top-25 Temple on the ropes and ended up losing. That would have been a huge win for the program. Let's hope those days are behind us.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour has a report on changes to the Minutemen offensive line. Tyshon Henderson has left the program and Lucas Kotler will have foot surgery, which will sideline Kotler for the season.

I think the 2016 line will be:

Elijah Wilkinson LT 6-5 329
Mike Yerardi LG 6-4 306
Fabian Hoeller C 6-3 295
Michael Boland RG 6-6 318
Jack Driscoll RT 6-5 294

Also available are Derek Dumais, Joe Parsons, Dan DiNicola and Jake Largay.

Whipple mentioned Driscoll as a starter during the Town Meeting last week. He also said freshman Raquan Thomas (6-5 392) was so big they haven't been able to find knee braces large enough to fit him. Whipple said they would like Thomas to lose about 25 pounds, which would bring him down to a svelte 360 or so.

Raquan Thomas #57

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Florida Gators name Jack Del Rio as starting QB for the UMass game.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Daily Herald writer predicts the UMass-BYU game as Cougars 48 UMass 9.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whipple, when asked how summer training camp was going responded, with 100+ players on camp, there was always a brush fire somewhere. I think if you compared the behavior of the football players to 100+ random UMass male students, I believe the football players would compare favorably.

However, it's truly amazin' how creative some people manage to be in screwing up. South Carolina punter Sean Kelly was arrested for "malicious destruction of a tree".

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OT, but Dennis Eckersley should come with sub-titles.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------