Game 1, 2026: @ Rutgers (9/3)

[stevemaz]

Time to start this thread.. is anyone going to the game? I think I may drive down for it.

[photoman]

Not going to the game but I'm hosting a watch party. Ok...I'll be the only one attending. I did invite my cat Vinnie, but when he saw that UMass is a 30 point underdog he sent his regrets. Oh well, more chips and salsa for me! Seriously though I'm looking forward to an improved season and had to get hooked up with YouTube TV to get the Big10 Network so i can watch this one. Looking forward to seeing some progress this year.

[TheInsider]

As you said... Progress.. thats what I want to see. It is so hard to predict. Obviously everyone is saying we blow and will lose every game by 40. How does anyone know when you turn over 85% of the roster. Hopefully they look like an actual football team and gives us some hope... that would be progress.

[Uminuteman]

The 2 goals of this game are:

1. Come out healthy
2. Be respectable on both sides
2a. Cover the spread

[Floyd]

^ & no snow angels on the field if we score. Act like you been there

[mdogt12]

Forecast calling for possible thunderstorms

[m626t]

Forecast calling for possible thunderstorms

I think crappy weather can help us...our running game vs theirs.

[minutefanjsf]

Forecast calling for possible thunderstorms

I think crappy weather can help us...our running game vs theirs.

Sure hope we can tackle and stop the run this year.

[UMassNet15]

Myself and three others will be making the trek. Anyone else?
No... we haven't bought tickets yet! Think we'll be ok. Haha

[TheInsider]

My heart says we lose by 17ish.. Close in the first half and then lose something like 31-14, but look like a football team. My head says 41-10 and it doesn't look great. One of these years my heart has to be right.. it has too

[photoman]

My heart says we lose by 17ish.. Close in the first half and then lose something like 31-14, but look like a football team. My head says 41-10 and it doesn't look great. One of these years my heart has to be right.. it has too

Honestly 31-14 would be quite respectable. Hoping it'll be that close. Mismatch games like this one and upcoming Stonehill College are poor barometers for MAC play.

[TheInsider]

I really hope its a score like that and everyone is healthy.. If it is that close, it will be fun to watch the Rutgers fans lose their minds. Many there think they should score 60.. We had the worst roster in the history of FBS and a terrible OC and even games against Iowa and Missouri we didn't lose 60-7. One of these years we won't be the same ol Umass. I think Coach H can get it done.

[DeeDeeBee]

I attended the last Umass @ Rutgers game in '19!
UM was ahead for all of the 1st quarter....then the wheels fell off.
For that 1st quarter the crowd was shocked!!! and was fun for a while.

[m626t]

I think we are going to hang in there for about half of the game, then get smoked. I hope we come out of the game healthy, with no significant injuries.

[photoman]

I attended the last Umass @ Rutgers game in '19!
UM was ahead for all of the 1st quarter....then the wheels fell off.
For that 1st quarter the crowd was shocked!!! and was fun for a while.

I think we all dream that maybe once...just once, we could be Appy State in the upset over Michigan. Every now and then I'll youtube that one because it was really that historic.