2026 Season

[TheInsider]

Umass may only win 2 games but Massey preseason rankings are based on last years team. Massey won't become reliable for this season until they play 4 or 5 games.

[stevemaz]

Can I get ONE fuckin' WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????????/

you will get 4 to 8

[Steve81]

Nice to see some indicators that the program is seemingly headed in a positive direction. 4th team MAC is better than nothing. Hopefully in 2026 we will field a team that is disciplined, competitive in the MAC, consistently capable of blocking, tackling, running and covering wide receivers. I'm cautiously optimistic enough to have renewed STs.

Believe many of us are like Jack, no miracles, better football and cautiously optimistic. Will not post the UMass page or any opponents, but enjoying Phil Steele's magazine and a few things that surprised me about Rutgers, Delaware and even Rhode Island has a nice player.
But posting the following and noting how the projections in this section are based on our opponents.




So I'll ask a rhetorical question. Who do you trust more? Some mud slingers as Zoo and others or Phil Steele and most of us being cautiously optimistic.

[ZooMass84]

Nice to see some indicators that the program is seemingly headed in a positive direction. 4th team MAC is better than nothing. Hopefully in 2026 we will field a team that is disciplined, competitive in the MAC, consistently capable of blocking, tackling, running and covering wide receivers. I'm cautiously optimistic enough to have renewed STs.

Believe many of us are like Jack, no miracles, better football and cautiously optimistic. Will not post the UMass page or any opponents, but enjoying Phil Steele's magazine and a few things that surprised me about Rutgers, Delaware and even Rhode Island has a nice player.
But posting the following and noting how the projections in this section are based on our opponents.




So I'll ask a rhetorical question. Who do you trust more? Some mud slingers as Zoo and others or Phil Steele and most of us being cautiously optimistic.

Mudslinger????????? not quite. Just being a realist but I'll say this: if Pop doesn't get hurt at Rutgers (I wouldn't even play him, but I'm not coach Joe) then it's possible we beat both FCS teams and maybe steal 1 or 2 MAC teams. Akron, Ball state and E. Michigan are all at the Junkyard.

[Steve81]

There’s a fourth team all MAC?!?!?

yes that is one level above Mt. Ida or Pine Manor girls all-stars.

Well, this comparison was pretty low.

[eldonabe]

80% chance of the same or better record


Umass has a 100% chance of that!

[ZooMass84]

80% chance of the same or better record


Umass has a 100% chance of that!

yes 100% chance of at least 0 wins.........the definition of at least in math class was equal to or greater than

I don't think we can get negative wins

[69MG]

I don't think we can get negative wins

I wouldn't be so sure after witnessing some of our gut-wrenching defeats. Maybe they count as double losses.

[eldonabe]

If UMass does not get a single FBS win [again] this season - regardless of results against Stonehill and Sacred Heart - the season is a 100% fail.


I could not give one single flying fuck about those two FCS games.... If they want to belong in the FBS, they need to win games in the FBS.

[Jack]

Two Months until the Home Opener against SHU !! Unlike Eldon - I give multiple flying flapjacks about seeing an organized, cohesive, resilient and disciplined performance against SHU and winning that football game. In fact, I'm more interested in that SHU game than the Rutgers game.

[Juice Stand]

MAC media day is on Wednesday from 11-3, streamed on ESPN+. Pop and Tyler Martin will be with Coach Joe.

https://umassathletics.com/news/2026/7/ ... ay-july-22

[eldonabe]

I am not turning a new leaf by any means regarding Bamfraud; however, I am posting something positive about UMass football. The link is the the College Football News 2026 Team Outlook if you want to see it in full glory... but I did copy the text also below. I mean it really is an only 1 direction to go kind of outlook, but there are some building blocks potentially to look at:

https://collegefootballnews.com/college ... eview-2026

Admin edit: I've removed the copy & paste from that source piece. Please don't copy & paste all/most of an article here on the board. Include the link, and maybe paste in a small portion, but stop there. Thanks.

[stevemaz]

7-5

[DeeDeeBee]

Wow! I love your optimism!!
I'm certainly hoping you're correct!!!
I'm reluctant to go THAT far.
Could you be more specific?
Thnx! Football fan.

[MikeUMA]

Shocker. UMass football predicted to finish last in the MAC, again, this season, including behind Sacramento State, who has yet to play a game at the FBS level.
https://getsomemaction.com/news/2026/7/ ... -poll.aspx

Fire Ryan Bamford.