2015 season - UMass on the rise

[LS71]

Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinal is reviewing all 128 D1 teams and is counting down to number! UMass isn't there yet, but the Minutemen are projected to make significant progress this year. He has UMass as #91.

Outlook: Whipple's impact was immediately felt as the offense went from one of the worst to among the best in MAC in 2014. With a slew of returning players and momentum on its side, UMass can take a big step forward in 2015.

[rsox1221]

I posted this over on the 74 blog when he linked to this article. It's a good read but has some holes...

I like the Sentinel's college football previews, it's a very cool thing they do during the off-season, however for some of the bottom clubs you can tell the research isn't top of the line. Our preview lists Blake Lucas as a "key returnee" on offense. False. I could say more, but I'll just stick with 'False'. It also lists McDonald as a "key loss" but we know that isn't true either, he just happened to be one of the few seniors on the team.

It also states that Woodley is leaving the program and that leaves Abrokwah as the only feature back. That's also false, very false. Jamal Wilson will be healthy again, he was the starter last year. You have Woodley, Abrokwah, and JT Blyden all returning with more experience as well. If Blyden can solve the fumblitis problem he could be something special too.

I'm happy they look at the program making some big strides, but you can tell they don't research the bottom 50 or so too hard, unless they play in Florida.

[Sam Minuteman]

Lot's of Pre Season All MAC Teamers! http://www.philsteele.com/All_Conferenc ... n/MAC.html
I'm a little surprised at TE Rodney Mills getting the first team Nod, but not surprised to see our QB & WR on the First team. Looking forward to lots of fireworks on offense this season!

[rsox1221]

Lot's of Pre Season All MAC Teamers! http://www.philsteele.com/All_Conferenc ... n/MAC.html
I'm a little surprised at TE Rodney Mills getting the first team Nod, but not surprised to see our QB & WR on the First team. Looking forward to lots of fireworks on offense this season!

Nice to see a couple All-MAC defensive players as well. That's where the improvement needs to be greatest, and quickly, in order for us to complete this goal of making a bowl game. I'm thrilled that Shane Huber is coming back this season too. Don't sleep on his impact even a little bit. He's going to be huge teaming with Santos-Knox in the middle.

[69MG]

Is there a preliminary depth chart yet? The D line looks to be small and the O line looks to be huge from what I see. But I might not be projecting the correct starters.

[rsox1221]

Good article here previewing the season. If I find/see any more that are worth a read I'll try to keep them in this thread so they're in one place.

From cfbhuddle.com:

http://cfbhuddle.com/2015/06/02/going-o ... s-bowling/

[Kosty]

We knew that the MAC took us of the graphics right? This is from the Twitter machine......

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGlZYFJUcAAbBR6.jpg:large

CBS Sports Network ‏@CBSSportsNet 30m30 minutes ago
We’re ready for #MACtion. @MACSports football and basketball are coming to CBS Sports Network this fall.

[rsox1221]

^
Well Like Dan Malone said, there are still references to the MAC on UMass' website, but the MAC has completely dropped us after the revamp on their own website.

Part of me wants to think the MAC let UMass know that they were going to drop their logo, but the cynic in me really doesn't think that's the case. The MAC cannot wait to be rid of UMass, so they're doing everything they can to make it like we don't exist.

Winning the MAC Championship this season...that's the best answer to any of it

[UMass2FBS]

^Winning the MAC Championship this season...that's the best answer to any of it

This is the best solution in my opinion as well. As Lou Brown would say in Major League, "lets give em' all a nice big shit burger."

[NE Cat]

^
Well Like Dan Malone said, there are still references to the MAC on UMass' website, but the MAC has completely dropped us after the revamp on their own website.

Part of me wants to think the MAC let UMass know that they were going to drop their logo, but the cynic in me really doesn't think that's the case. The MAC cannot wait to be rid of UMass, so they're doing everything they can to make it like we don't exist.

Winning the MAC Championship this season...that's the best answer to any of it

Not to pick nits, but Missouri has been an affiliate member of the MAC in wrestling and West Virginia in soccer for years, and never received the benefit of exposure on the MAC site that UMASS had until recently being removed from the banner. One might argue that the MAC would have received more benefit from using the Mizzou and WVU brands than those schools would have benefited by association with the MAC, but I'm certain their full time primary partners would frown on that.

My assumption is that since the scheduling agreement for hoops has passed, and with UMASS being only an affiliate in one sport, you have been relegated to the same status that the other affiliate members have been. So I wouldn't take the present lack of branding as a slight, but rather would be appreciative of the promotion you received that other affiliates hadn't received in the past. And who knows, perhaps UMASS actually initiated the removal of their brand themselves, believing they were above the MAC, as many posters/fans of UMASS believe is the case. Who knows?

See MAC affiliate member page here: http://mac-sports.com/sports/2014/6/28/ ... 42517.aspx?

[Chris20]

Agreed, it's not always some sinister, anti-UMass thing.....we have a few professional victims on here.

[rsox1221]

Agreed, it's not always some sinister, anti-UMass thing.....we have a few professional victims on here.

That's true, but in this particular case, I don't think it's wrong to say that the MAC can't wait to be rid of UMass. IMO they're a little scorned about the fact that we wouldn't come in for all sports and will be happy to see us leave. It was a marriage doomed from the start once Temple went to the AAC before ever joining the MAC. If that hadn't happened I think we'd still be associate members going forward.

Sorry if you feel like I'm among the "professional victims", but in this case I feel like the criticism of the MAC is warranted. I also think we'll be better off in the long run for leaving the MAC after this season. It's something that had to happen.

[Chris20]

Agree with all of that.

[Jack]

It's pettyy and stupid. The MAC screwed up by taking an all or nothing position. The smart move would be to cooperate with UMASS in its transition. It's just stupid brand management by the MAC not to try and grow the conference and develop a northeast presence with the largest university in New England. We're going to the AAC.

[Dickie Dunn]

Whipple supposedly will be on Sirius XM in a few minutes with Jack Arute (who is from NE, runs Stafford Speedway) and Gino Torretta. I know it is Ch. 91 on XM.