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Swampy wrote:I can only assume that the six people who voted for 4-5 wins haven't seen the team practice and didn't attend the spring game. I love UMass sports as much as the next guy but even I can't be that optimistic!

Maroon colored glasses!

If so many people think we stand a chance against 3/4 teams this year, is it that much of a stretch to consider a 4th win a possibility too? And stranger things have happened. I remember a Kevin Morris coached UMass team giving Michigan a run for their money in the not too distant past.

^^
It really has nothing to do with anything that's going to occur this season. Yes, they gave them a run for their money, but it was fueled by player emotion, a Michigan team that frankly wasn't that good and playing pretty well despite being coached by KM etc. When they were FCS there was always the possibility of riding an emotional tidal wave for ONE game that they had to look forward to , but it won't be possible for them to do it week in and week out. They lack depth/numbers, and what's on the field this year isn't that much different talentwise than what was on the field last year. My vote is still (very optimistically) for two wins. The spring game also showed that placekicking was still looking VERY shaky. I'd rather just be real and not be disappointed. Do you really want to go into the season thinking four wins? If I'm wrong and they win 3 or 4 games, I'll happily eat crow. Just pass the ketchup.

Whether or not Mich was amidst a down year, they are still a premier division 1 program recruiting some of the best players in the country. Playing well against a team at that level can be attributed in part to emotion, sure. But attributing an entire effort to emotion seems like a bit much. It is also hasty to say exactly what talent level the team is at before the freshmen ever step foot in the door and before players are truly in game shape. It is not out of the question for a freshman to shine in their first year, especially in a position of need like WR.

Predicting 4 wins may be a bit of me sipping the Charley Molnar brand kool aid, but I think it is an achievable goal to set. That is not me saying that I would be disappointed if they don't hit that threshold. I would be perfectly happy if the entire team went out every week and played a full 4 quarters of hard nosed football without winning a single game.

"I would be perfectly happy if the entire team went out every week and played a full 4 quarters of hard nosed football without winning a single game."

On this point we agree completely.

photoman wrote:"I would be perfectly happy if the entire team went out every week and played a full 4 quarters of hard nosed football without winning a single game."

On this point we agree completely.

Agreed as well. If this team goes 0-fer but plays a full 60 minutes every game, following through on plays, not mailing it in, etc., then I'll be satisfied with the season. As I've said before, as long as improvement is evident throughout the season and helps improve the players for the 2013 season, then I'll consider the 2012 campaign a success.

Are there going to be four games where Massachusetts has a serious chance of winning? I think so, and I hope so. Winning should be the team's goal going into every single game. However, the fact remains they will probably not be favored in any single game all year long. Getting up for one game and almost getting lucky is one thing. Grinding through a long season with limited depth is going to be another thing. I can imagine the team playing tough all year and coming away with zero to two wins, depending on some breaks. Really, its just about establishing an attitude where this year's freshman envision clawing their way toward the top with chips on their shoulders, and then selling that to next year's recruits.

Play tough, mature and improve as the season progresses. Really don't expect any wins, but I hope for at least two. Can't wait!

All I'm asking for is a smart team that doesn't make stupid mental mistakes and give away points. Keep the turnovers to a minimum and play some tough D and we should be able to compete this year. I also like the idea of a spread offense being implemented. I'd like to see us develop into an offense like West Virginia has had over the last 10 years. That would be fun to watch.

I am thinking Charley gets them whipped up for the Indy game..we win..then if we are lucky we can win 1-2 of the @ Akron, Buffalo or Central Michigan trio at the end of the schedule. Maybe wishful thinking..but looking forward to it..all of it!

Not sure where else to ask this. In a spread offense, is it feasible to play any less than 3 WR's? Or asked another way, is it likely for us to put two running backs or two TE's on the field at once? I ask because, at least based on what we've heard, it seems we are relatively deep at running back (with Broadnax, Cox, Burns, etc., it seems we are at least 5-deep with capable players) and not so much at wide receiver. So I'm thinking our talent would be best utilized by playing two-RB sets. Thoughts?

The only time they did this during the Spring Game was in short yardage situations, once on 4th and 1 at about the 10 yard line, the other near the goal line. The QB was still not under center, he was in a Pistol formation, which for those that don't know is where the QB is back about 3-4 yds from center in a shortened "shotgun" formation. The RB was 2-3 yds directly behind the QB and immediately to the QB's right was another RB. In this case it was not really a RB, it was one of the LB's acting as a FB because we have no FB's on the roster.

To the best of my recollection they ran this formation twice and it got stuffed for a loss of yardage twice. It was not good and the LB/FB looked like he didn't know what he was doing. Going to chalk it up to lack of practice.

Swampy wrote:I can only assume that the six people who voted for 4-5 wins haven't seen the team practice and didn't attend the spring game. I love UMass sports as much as the next guy but even I can't be that optimistic!

I'm one who voted 4 wins. Rationale: perhaps this is the year that the ball will bounce our way more often than not. If that isn't what I was thinking at the time, then someone slipped some bourbon into my ginger ale.

philosopher wrote: ...then someone slipped some bourbon into my ginger ale.

That happens to me all the time!

SI Thinks 3

Charley Molnar, Massachusetts: 3-9. Brian Kelly's former offensive coordinator has the unenviable task of navigating UMass' first season in the FBS and MAC.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/w ... z23Qwxa3bN