UMass Minutemen 2026 College Football Preview
Posted June 15, 2026
2025 Recap
Record – 0-12
ATS – 3-9
“Andy crawled to freedom through five hundred yards of shit-smelling foulness I can’t even imagine, or maybe I just don’t want to.”
<Red> played by Morgan Freeman
<Shawshank Redemption, 1994>
There is simply no way to sugarcoat this — the Minutemen went 0–12 in their MAC REBOOT season, and it was a brutal slog from start to finish. The only FBS loss that came within single digits was a 28–21 defeat to Buffalo. They endured four straight weeks scoring seven points or fewer. And to make matters worse, they dropped a game to FCS foe Bryant — a defeat that will live in Amherst infamy for decades.
The good news? It’s almost impossible to go anywhere but up from here. Year two of the Joe Harasymiak rebuild begins with the lowest possible expectations and a very manageable schedule.
Let’s go!
UMass Minutemen 2026 Outlook
OFFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (MAC):
- Scoring: 11.1 PPG (#13 MAC — dead last)
- Total Offense: 247.5 YPG (#13 MAC — dead last)
- Rushing: 82.4 YPG (#13 MAC — dead last)
- Passing: 165.1 YPG (#9 MAC)
- Sacks Allowed: 34 (#11 MAC)
Dead last in the MAC in scoring, total offense, and rushing — those numbers aren’t just bad, they’re historically dreadful. A full-season offensive faceplant of the highest order. Onwards and upwards.
At quarterback, Virginia Tech transfer Pop Watson brings mobility and a dual-threat dimension the Minutemen desperately needed. Florida A&M transfer RJ Johnson III (21-4 TD to INT) offers a more polished passing option and is currently listed as the backup, giving UMass a clear upgrade over last year’s group.
The running back room gets a nice infusion of talent. Justin Williams-Thomas (Marshall) and Jordan Washington (Murray St) should provide more physicality between the tackles. At wide receiver, Joseph Griffin (Wisconsin) and Devin Matthews (East Texas A&M) add depth and playmaking, whilst tight end Max Dowling had three touchdown grabs last season.
The offensive line was a tire fire in 2025, but UMass added significant size up front this offseason. Whilst it’s still early, our UMASS INSIDERS believe the group should be noticeably improved in 2026.
DEFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (MAC):
- Scoring Defense: 38.6 PPG (#13 MAC — dead last)
- Total Defense: 433.8 YPG (#13 MAC — dead last)
- Rush Defense: 221.3 YPG (#12 MAC)
- Pass Defense: 212.5 YPG (#10 MAC)
- Sacks: 13 (#13 MAC — dead last)
Dead last in the MAC in scoring defense (38.6 PPG), total defense (433.8 YPG), and sacks (just 13, ranking #129 nationally). This stop unit needs PENETRATION desperately, and losing their best pass rusher, EDGE Marques White, to SMU only deepens the crater. Getting to the quarterback has to be Priority No. 1 in Year Two.
The good news? The rebuild is already underway. LB Tyler Martin (104 tackles) returns as the leading tackler, and that’s a massive retention for this program. He’s the anchor of the second level and gives Harasymiak a real foundation piece. Portal additions Joshua Iseah (NC A&T) and Kendric Council (St. Francis) should help stabilize the middle layer.
Up front, the new faces are promising: Justin Krueger (William & Mary), Zachary Betts (St. Francis), and Indiana transfer Andrew Depaepe join a group that desperately needs to generate more heat. The secondary is the relative bright spot, with returning senior safeties Zeraun Daniel and Kendall Bournes providing experience and stability on the back end.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The special teams group has been a steaming DUNG PILE for years, and there’s not much optimism to report heading into 2026. The one glimmer of hope? PK Derek Morris can absolutely UNCORK BOMBS — he went 10/16 on field goals last year and a respectable 5/10 from 40+. That’s the closest thing this unit has to a functional superpower.
Schedule Analysis
Overall — A bottom‑three easiest schedule in the entire FBS per ESPN SP+ is the biggest gift Harasymiak could’ve asked for heading into Year Two. They even get two FCS opponents — though, of course, the Minutemen can only count one toward bowl eligibility. Insert joke here, yo.
From a MAC perspective, there are at least a few lifelines: home games vs Akron and Eastern Michigan are legitimate win opportunities, and missing Western Michigan is a straight‑up blessing from the scheduling gods.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot — at Sacramento St (Sept 26)
Long trip out to the West Coast for the MAC opener — a brutal scheduling spot for any team, let alone one still trying to find its footing. And don’t forget: this will be the MAC home opener for Sacramento St, a brand‑new entrant into the FBS.
Season Win Total
Market consensus – June 15
Over 2.5 -150
Under 2.5 +120
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
Don’t let us do this. Just kidding. Not really.
To be serious for a moment: there are two FCS opponents on the schedule, along with a few legitimately winnable MAC games sprinkled throughout.
Note – Our official list of season win total investments will be posted in the blog section of the website.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Former OC Mike Bajakian didn’t just leave — he parachuted out of Amherst like a man escaping a burning WAFFLE HOUSE, landing straight in the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room. One of the worst offenses in FBS somehow became his NFL golden ticket, proving once again that the coaching universe is a mysterious, chaotic, deeply unserious place.
The last time UMass won more than three games was back in 2018 when they went 4-8.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
As disgusting as last season was, the Minutemen have upgraded their talent to the point where they can legitimately think about beating some of the lower-echelon MAC teams. Not something to brag about, but hey — it’s a start. They’ve improved on both sides of the football, and there’s a small handful of winnable games on the schedule. That alone should help them build a little confidence after last year’s trauma.
We’ll do the unthinkable and call for three wins whilst hoping for a significant upset along the way. You know we love our MAC bottom feeders.
GO UMASS GO!