UMassHoops.com

Sam Minuteman · Senior Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Posts: 1164 Location: Tampa, FL

The only event listed on the Umassathletics website is a meet and greet for football so this seems like a great time to start talking about the upcoming season.

There is a lot to be excited about!
The Minutemen will be playing a full season at the highest level of collegiate football since the 70's.
Minutemen and Patriots will be defending the same home field.
Kicking off the season against UConn whose fans, if not administration and team, will be looking to avenge a drubbing of a sendoff from FCS they received from the Minutemen in the 90's.
Another Trip to the Big House, should bring back a host of memories including remembrance of the Legendary George Parks.
An OOC schedule deemed by many to be the most challenging in college football, with all 4 games coming against power conferences; 2 Big10, 1 SEC, 1BE.

In 1997 Coach Whipple stated the programs goal was to win a National Championship. Some would say the 1998 football season was one of the most magical of any at UMass, and it followed a few sub par years..... Just Saying Wink

After mediocre seasons on the field I have no idea what to expect from the upcoming season, but like what I have heard from the new Head Coach.

UMass will start the season as decided underdogs in every game they play so 6-6 would be a huge success. Many national publications put several MAC schools near the bottom of FBS ratings (right ahead of the Minutemen), and Indiana has been awful of late so with improvement throughout the season I'll predict a 3-9 season.

Give the coaches time to fully settle into their role, recruit, and grow the program and lets see what happens going forward. One thing is certain with the OOC schedules that are being lined up UMass is jumping in with two feet and playing those teams should help better prepare the program and give them a fighting chance to quickly improve their standing in the MAC.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!?!!?!?!? Question

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UConn girls are........................... Huskies!!

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 9:30 am Post subject:

1-3. This move is going to be a struggle, but I'm going to be part of that struggle every step of the way.
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Stop waiting for UMass to do something big and help UMass do something big. - Shades

lane one · Junior Joined: 17 Aug 2003 Posts: 674

With all due respect to the team, 6-6 would be an unbelievable success. 3-9 would be a tremendous success, in my opinion. Optimism is great, but it will be important for the fans to have tempered expectations or there will be some very discouraging first few years. I would hate to see the excitement of the move be wasted because people expect the team to get good at an unreasonable rate and then give up on the team.

DrG · Hall of Fame Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 2171 Location: MA

I would be very satisfied with three wins, although even that could be an uphill climb. I hope our fans are patient and understand the enormous difficulty involved in this transition. Coach Molnar will need a few more recruiting classes before we start to see the results. I'm excited to be on the ground floor of this effort and I really look forward to seeing the improvement each year.

photoman · Senior Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 919 Location: Attleboro

Two wins would be fantastic. Zero wins would be understandable.

cox'n · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 2:44 pm Post subject:

I don't care how many games we win next year. Really. However, I want to see a young team that plays with heart, shows improvement every game, and are scholars and gentlemen off the field. Ask me again next year about wins and losses.

sldrums · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject:

I think we take Indiana and 1 MAC game, with the possibility of upsetting UConn or maybe one other team. If we don't win I will not be disappointed as long as we play tough.

RocheyAlum05 · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject:

Being realistic, I think anywhere from 1-3 wins would be a great success for our first year in major college football.
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ktabz16 · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 5:19 pm Post subject:

i'm going to the uconn game, i can't miss history like that.

photoman · Senior Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 919 Location: Attleboro

UMass02 · Hall of Fame Joined: 11 Nov 2003 Posts: 2144

I'm in this for the long haul. I understand that it will be a difficult transition. I'll be happy as long as they show improvement throughout each season.

Rolling Ridge · Freshman Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 52

Like others, I'm in the 1-3 wins camp, but that isn't my measure of success for this season. I'd like to see the team start to play with more discipline and consistency. I'd like to see a more creative offense developing and see some demonstration of the "never quit" attitude that coach Molnar has talked about. That's enough for me, whether they win a game or not this season.

This is going to be a tough transition, we can't fool ourselves. But I'm in this for the ride, and will try to take the long view and be patient and supportive. I like what I've seen so far.

Bill

photoman · Senior Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 919 Location: Attleboro

^^
Glad to see most posters here are in this for the long haul and not expecting immediate success. I agree with the "steady improvement" philosophy. I do hope that the "average" fan can adopt this view.

UMass2FBS · Sophomore Joined: 02 Jan 2010 Posts: 214

3 potential wins could come from, Buffalo, Akron and Indiana. I feel like we need at least one win, but I am not going to trade in my season tickets if we put up a zero.
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UMass Football-2013 MAC Champions!!!!!

Swampy · Hall of Fame Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 2444

I can only assume that the six people who voted for 4-5 wins haven't seen the team practice and didn't attend the spring game. I love UMass sports as much as the next guy but even I can't be that optimistic! Shocked