2024 Game 1: vs. Eastern Michigan

[DanaDingle3]

Strange not to see a thread on this game yet, given it's only a couple weeks away and we're apparently reorienting all of our athletics teams around a football first vision. Is it due to a lack of interest, aside from a few loud folks on twitter?

How many fans will be expected for the season opener? Looks like we're currently favored in this one. A fast start will be very important for this season.

[TheInsider]

Don't turn it over on every drive like last year and we will be ok... such a frustrating game that we should have won by 3tds

[Old Cage]

^^ Last time we had an August opener (2018), we drew 8,486. That was following a season when we beat Georgia Southern, App State, and BYU. No students, of course. Not that they come anyway. That attendance will be hard to match.

[Steve81]

^^ Last time we had an August opener (2018), we drew 8,486. That was following a season when we beat Georgia Southern, App State, and BYU. No students, of course. Not that they come anyway. That attendance will be hard to match.

Old Cage, think you are correct about August games without students gets a low turnout. But would say at least 1.5k students do show up, almost 2 sections and sometimes more.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Actually, there might be some students...

https://www.umass.edu/living/assign/fall-move-in


Potentially a clusterfuck traffic-wise though.

[meff]

Actually, there might be some students...

https://www.umass.edu/living/assign/fall-move-in


Potentially a clusterfuck traffic-wise though.

Not like traffic has ever impacted you getting to the tailgate... oh wait.

[Upstate10]

Don't turn it over on every drive like last year and we will be ok... such a frustrating game that we should have won by 3tds

We were the much better team that day. I could feel us blowing it far before it happened. Zero reason that we should lose this game and, if we do, whatever goals the program has for this season aren't happening. Truth hurts. Must win.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Actually, there might be some students...

https://www.umass.edu/living/assign/fall-move-in


Potentially a clusterfuck traffic-wise though.

Not like traffic has ever impacted you getting to the tailgate... oh wait.

I'm hopeful the new traffic alignment of University Drive and the 30 minute head start for Stadium Drive pass holders will help immensely. Cetainly will be interesting to see how it plays out for Game 1, in addition to the move-in stuff.

[minutefanjsf]

Actually, there might be some students...

https://www.umass.edu/living/assign/fall-move-in


Potentially a clusterfuck traffic-wise though.

Not like traffic has ever impacted you getting to the tailgate... oh wait.

I'm hopeful the new traffic alignment of University Drive and the 30 minute head start for Stadium Drive pass holders will help immensely. Cetainly will be interesting to see how it plays out for Game 1, in addition to the move-in stuff.

The move in routes/check in all start up in Northeast. The real issue is not the UMass plan it it what the local police do. The light/intersection at university and amity is the one that scares me. Hopeful that the freshmen that move in early will show.

[ZooMass84]

We're a 2.5 pt favorite now

[Quann]

Fired up. Way more excited for UMass Football than the Pats this year. I think we can win 4-5 games this season. Let's get off to a good start. Eastern Michigan is a solid middle of the pack MAC team, going to be a tough game. Let's get revenge for last year's heartbreaking loss in Ypsilanti.

[eldonabe]

Fired up. Way more excited for UMass Football than the Pats this year. I think we can win 4-5 games this season. Let's get off to a good start. Eastern Michigan is a solid middle of the pack MAC team, going to be a tough game. Let's get revenge for last year's heartbreaking loss in Ypsilanti.

I don't want to piss on your parade Quann but EMU is ranked in the Bottom 10 on average in the FBS - not discounting any win by Umass as they are all a precious commodity, but lets not overrate the quality here.

[Quann]

Fired up. Way more excited for UMass Football than the Pats this year. I think we can win 4-5 games this season. Let's get off to a good start. Eastern Michigan is a solid middle of the pack MAC team, going to be a tough game. Let's get revenge for last year's heartbreaking loss in Ypsilanti.

I don't want to piss on your parade Quann but EMU is ranked in the Bottom 10 on average in the FBS - not discounting any win by Umass as they are all a precious commodity, but lets not overrate the quality here.

As usual you're poo pooing everything to do with football. I properly rated EMU, they were 6-7 last season with a 4-4 record in the MAC finishing 3rd in the MAC West and 7th place overall in the conference. It's a good win for our program, stop it. I don't really care about preseason rankings or the bottom ten rankings in general, they don't mean much unless you're in the top 25.

[eldonabe]

Sorry Quann...

TBH if they played the Bottom 11 teams in the country this year and put up a respectable W/L record I would be happy regardless of the level of competition. This football program has been really bad - Like Temple 1990's bad - for a long time. Any win is a good win for Umass.

In today's game, SOS carries a lot of weight though.




PS: Temple football was so bad in the late 90's that Vegas would not even post a line on their games. They were listed as "Not Competitive".

[RagingCager]

An obvious key for game one, and onward, will be the dual threat capability of Phomna (Puma?)….. when he was healthy last year, he was much more effective when he was a threat to run; after he got hurt, he was a completely different player, understandably so. If he’s back to 100%, and isn’t afraid to take off, things could be interesting.

Hopefully they’re smart about keeping him and other key players healthy in the “ Pay for Play” games! I know I’m really looking forward to Opening Day…. let’s hope the weather cooperates and we’re not booted out before kick off (like last year)