Game 1 (2017) Hawaii

[Puffton395]

This is a really hard schedule this year. That's all I am going to say.

It's hard, but it's arguably the easiest Indy schedule we have had to date. It's also arguably the best returning group of starters that we have ever had.

I like our chances for 4-5 wins, but would I be shocked with 2-3, no.

[minutefanjsf]

It is actually the most difficult because there are no bottom feeders like FIU. However, Phil Steele thinks we have an outside shot at bowling.

[Puffton395]

It is actually the most difficult because there are no bottom feeders like FIU. However, Phil Steele thinks we have an outside shot at bowling.

This think this year is easier.

2016 - @Florida, @South Carolina, @Troy
2017 - @Coastal Carolina, @Temple, @Tennessee @USF

2016 - BC, FIU, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Wagner
2017 - Ohio, Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Maine


BYU, Hawaii, Old Dominion, Mississippi State are all repeat offenders.

[minutefanjsf]

It is actually the most difficult because there are no bottom feeders like FIU. However, Phil Steele thinks we have an outside shot at bowling.

This think this year is easier.

2016 - @Florida, @South Carolina, @Troy
2017 - @Coastal Carolina, @Temple, @Tennessee @USF

2016 - BC, FIU, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Wagner
2017 - Ohio, Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Maine


BYU, Hawaii, Old Dominion, Mississippi State are all repeat offenders.

Many publications have our schedule as one of the more difficult based on the number of teams that went bowling in our schedule this year. Tennessee is tougher than Florida, Temple tougher than South Carolina, USF and Troy a wash. Coastal Carolina on the road is tougher than Tulane at home. Maine tougher than Wagner. Ohio tougher than FIU. App state and La Tech close call, but probably give that to La Tech. Georgia southern tougher than BC. Hawaii and ODU at home should be easier than on the road. BYU same in the road. Mississippi state will be much tougher on the road. So, three easier games this year, eight tougher one the same.

[minutefanjsf]

With the schedule being tougher, we hopefully have improved, and can compete and possibly win against this schedule.

[stevemaz]

I think there are going to be a lot close games. Probably lose big at Tennessee and maybe at BYU and we Cruise past Maine. South Florida and Miss St could get away from us too. The other 7 should be decided in the 4th Qtr.

[Berkman]

If that is the case then we need someone that can make field goals consistently.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

We'll lose every single close game if Whip doesn't shore up the FG game....

[eldonabe]

If that is the case then we need someone that can make field goals consistently.

Strike me dead for saying this, but even matching our horrible 3 point shooting percentage in basketball last season would be nice !

[Puffton395]

It is actually the most difficult because there are no bottom feeders like FIU. However, Phil Steele thinks we have an outside shot at bowling.

This think this year is easier.

2016 - @Florida, @South Carolina, @Troy
2017 - @Coastal Carolina, @Temple, @Tennessee @USF

2016 - BC, FIU, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Wagner
2017 - Ohio, Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Maine


BYU, Hawaii, Old Dominion, Mississippi State are all repeat offenders.

Many publications have our schedule as one of the more difficult based on the number of teams that went bowling in our schedule this year. Tennessee is tougher than Florida, Temple tougher than South Carolina, USF and Troy a wash. Coastal Carolina on the road is tougher than Tulane at home. Maine tougher than Wagner. Ohio tougher than FIU. App state and La Tech close call, but probably give that to La Tech. Georgia southern tougher than BC. Hawaii and ODU at home should be easier than on the road. BYU same in the road. Mississippi state will be much tougher on the road. So, three easier games this year, eight tougher one the same.

I disagree, but, oh well.

[Berkman]

I am confident that we will have at least a .500 record and with a bit of luck slightly better. Why you might ask? Well we do have a new defensive coordinator who was very successful at his last school and two more new defensive coaches. Then we did bring in a couple of good size JC transfers. Also playing most of the home games in Amherst should help with a loud home crowd. So that is what I am basing my opinion on.

[MJatUM]

Also playing most of the home games in Amherst should help with a loud home crowd.

[Dickie Dunn]

Many publications have our schedule as one of the more difficult based on the number of teams that went bowling in our schedule this year. Tennessee is tougher than Florida, Temple tougher than South Carolina, USF and Troy a wash. Coastal Carolina on the road is tougher than Tulane at home. Maine tougher than Wagner. Ohio tougher than FIU. App state and La Tech close call, but probably give that to La Tech. Georgia southern tougher than BC. Hawaii and ODU at home should be easier than on the road. BYU same in the road. Mississippi state will be much tougher on the road. So, three easier games this year, eight tougher one the same.

There is absolutely no way Georgia Southern this year will be tougher than BC was last year.

Also, I think Temple takes a step back with Rhule gone to Baylor and Walker graduated. Still will be decent, but South Carolina was a pretty solid team once they made the switch to Bentley at QB (of course, against UMass). Conversely, South Florida will be one of the toughest teams UMass plays, aside from probably Tennessee and BYU.

A big wild card will be Coastal Carolina. They have been a pretty good FCS program, but they will be playing their first game in FBS (and UMass will have a game under its belt). Both Athlon and Phil Steele have the Chanticleers rated bottom 10 entering the season (the difference being, where each has UMass rated).

Here are the ESPN FPI and S&P+ projections for each game. I like that UMass has a reasonable chance in half its games. No margin for error, obviously, without a significant upset, but 5-of-6 home games should be winnable ... App State will be the toughest; Coastal Carolina should be considered the only "winnable" road game.

[njumass08]

Spoke to my ticket rep today and he said they are trying to fill the student section for the Hawaii game with Youth sports teams from the area. Good idea and hopefully it helps attendance.

[umassbaseball]

Has anybody heard any rumors lately about a kickoff time for this game? I want to make it out, but I can't really plan or buy tickets until I know a time.