UMass Hits Rock Bottom: Can the Minutemen Bounce Back?
A new coach, Joe Harasymiak, brought hope and belief that UMass football could finally turn things around. Six games into the season, the Minutemen are winless and sit near the bottom nationally in every statistical category. Mistakes on the field and inconsistent play leave the Minutemen struggling to find an identity. An extremely slow start to the season proves rebuilding this team may take longer than fans have hoped.
The Minutemen have struggled in nearly every aspect of the game. Turnovers and inconsistent quarterback play have stalled drives on offense, and the defense has allowed opponents to control the tempo of the game. UMass ranks last among all FBS teams in points scored per game and average yards per play, emphasizing just how difficult it has been for their offense to generate points. While on the defensive side of the ball, blown assignments and missed tackles have allowed opponents to control the game and score with ease.
Making the move from the FCS to FBS, the Minutemen stepped into College Football's highest level and proved the program might not be prepared. Since making the jump in 2012, UMass has not had a winning record, with a record of 26-128, highlighting how difficult the move has been. The problems in Amherst go beyond the on-field performance. Outdated facilities and a history of losing drive top recruits away, leaving the program at a disadvantage to compete with other FBS teams.
College football teams in the Northeast often fall behind teams located all around the country due to recruiting challenges. Many of the region's top prospects tend to choose programs like Boston College over UMass, making it harder for the Minutemen to build a roster capable of competing with other FBS programs. Already at a disadvantage in a region with limited recruiting opportunities, and with top prospects often choosing other schools, UMass frequently relies on the transfer portal to fill gaps in experience and production that the roster lacks. Transfers may not fit the system correctly, and with key players always coming and going, UMass struggles to build the chemistry and solidarity needed to compete in the FBS.
Already struggling to recruit top high school prospects due to the location, UMass is further held back by facilities that are well below FBS standards. All across the nation, there are high school football stadiums bigger and better equipped than UMass's McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Nicknamed "The Junkyard", McGuirk Alumni Stadium looks more like a high school field than a Division I football Stadium. These subpar facilities undoubtedly drive recruits away from UMass, making it difficult to put together a roster that can compete at the FBS level.
A long and difficult rebuild lies ahead for the Minutemen, but there may be light at the end of the tunnel. Nearby the University of Connecticut, a program that previously struggled, has recently turned its program around, offering a road map for UMass to follow. With over 30,000 students, UMass has the potential to establish a large and passionate fan base if the team can win consistently. For a program currently at rock bottom, a return to the FCS might not be the worst option, as it would give the Minutemen time and opportunity to rebuild in a less challenging environment.
