Massachusetts Minutemen:

Veteran coach Don Brown is entering his third season back in Amherst as the UMass head coach. Brown served as the Minutemen’s head coach from 2004-08 before departing to serve as a DC at numerous Power Five programs.

UMass won three games last year, which was their most in a season since 2018. This will be the Minutemen’s final season as an independent before they head to the MAC in 2025. The schedule will include five games against MAC teams as well as three games against SEC foes including a trip to Georgia on Nov. 23. 

 

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Offense

QB Taisun Phommachanh returns for his second season at UMass. The former four-star recruit started his college career at Clemson (2019-21) before playing one year at Georgia Tech (2022). Phommachanh played in nine games last year and rushed for a career-high 96 yards in the 41-30 upset over New Mexico State in Week 0 last year. Phommachanh did not practice during the spring as he rehabbed a knee injury. 

The best player from last year, RB Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams, transferred after rushing for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. Additionally, UMass lost second-leading rusher Greg Desrosiers and second-leading receiver George Johnson. The offensive line has to replace three starters from last year. Leading WR Anthony Simpson returns after hauling in 57 receptions for 792 yards and three touchdowns and UMass was busy in the portal, bringing in two Power Five receivers. According to SP+, UMass returns just 54% offensive production from last year, which is 91st nationally. 

Defense

Prior to his return to UMass, Don Brown spent over a decade at various stops including Michigan. Last year, however, the defense had a tough time slowing down its opposition allowing 37.8 PPG (130th nationally). 

Leading tackler LB Nahji Logan transferred to Indiana and DT Billy Wooden (6.5 sacks) graduated. The Minutemen added DE Etinosa Reeuben (Clemson/Ga Tech) and DE Jaylen Hudson (Wake Forest) from the portal to help bolster the defensive line. The secondary returns three starters and added depth via the portal, including CB Ryan Barnes (Notre Dame). Additionally, UMass added a pair of Dartmouth transfers that could start, LB Macklin Ayers and S Leonard St Gourdin. Both Ayers and Gourdin earned postseason Ivy League honors last year.

Outlook

Don Brown led UMass to an appearance in the FCS championship game back in 2006, but his second tenure with the Minutemen has been more challenging now that they are in the FBS ranks. They’ll host a pair of FCS opponents this year, likely the only two games where the Minutemen are favored. Last year, UMass won a pair of games as a touchdown (or more) underdog and they will need to do that again to surpass their win total. With three SEC opponents on the schedule as well as C-USA favorite Liberty, it will be a challenge for UMass to get to four wins.

Pick: Under 3.5 Wins

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