Massachusetts Minutemen 2016 NCAA Football Preview
MASSACHUSETTS MINUTEMEN
Independent
2015 Record – 3-9
ATS – 4-8
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
Independent #4
2015 Recap
It was another rough year for the Minutemen. They were actually a pretty experienced team heading into 2015, and even after their early non-conference stretch in which they went 1-3, it was still not out of the question that they could make a bowl game. They could not successfully navigate the MAC schedule and finished a disappointing 3-9. At least they managed to win their last MAC game, even if it was against Buffalo, by a score of 31-26 on the road.
OFFENSE
UMass enters the season with a gaping hole at QB as they will be without the #3 school all-time leading passer Blake Frohnapel. There is going to be inexperience at QB, whether last season’s backup Ross Comis wins the job, or Virginia Tech transfer Andrew Ford gets the nod. Either way, the smart thing for the Minutemen to do will be to rely on rising star RB Marquis Young to carry the load. Young finished the 2015 season just shy of the 1000-yard mark and will be asked to be the focal point of the offense. The offensive line returns three starters and has some nice size.
Another significant loss to the offense is UMass all-time leading receiver Tajae Sharpe who led the FBS in receptions last season with 111 (!) while picking up 1319 yards and 5 TDs. There is a gaping hole left behind and we will have to wait and see if there is anybody waiting in the wings to at least partially fill Sharpe’s shoes.
DEFENSE
The defense was not very good last season giving up 48+ points on four different occasions, but we have to admit, they held their own against reasonable competition. In fact, in the final five games of the season they did not give up more than 26 points.
This season could be trouble for a couple of reasons. First of all, they only return five starters on defense and the secondary loses three starters and a ton of experience. Secondly, they only had 15 sacks last season (!) which ranked 116th in the FBS, and they absolutely need to find a pass rush or the secondary will be regularly torched.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Logan Laurent will handle the FG and punting duties and he is rock solid. James Oliphant did a decent job with kick returns last season.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 1.0
MEGALOCKS says:
This season is going to be a challenge. They lose a very good QB and four of the top five tacklers from last season’s defense. The schedule is not kind. Road games at Florida, BYU and South Carolina are pretty much certain losses. So are the home contests vs BC and Mississippi St. Tulane and Wagner will be welcome relief.
Overall, we give the MINUTEMEN a 1.0 ATS Value Rating (Avoid) this season. They should have a decent running game that will give lesser opponents some trouble. However, they will most likely be in big trouble against any team that can stop the run. The Minutemen are going to be big underdogs in a lot of games this season but they seem like a team that will have trouble covering even the most inflated spread. We would stay clear until they show they are competitive.
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