2023 Independents Team Preview Capsules [UMass]

[joedchi 1,603]

2023 Independents Team Preview Capsules

 

UMass Minutemen

Head Coach: Vacant

2022 Record: 1-11

 

Changes:  Another season, another coaching change except they haven't announced a new coach yet. Gone are their two of their best players, WR Nicholas Spence Jr and OG Thomas Turner who both went pro.

Strength:  This program is still growing but has a couple pieces in C Bruce Hoskins who will be a leader and help the inexperienced offense get in the correct alignments.  Redshirt freshman TE Kulani Laupepa will be a focal point of the offense.  And redshirt sophomore Marc O'Malley is a thumper in the back end of the defense.

Weakness:  The team lost 33% of their pro level talent and their best offensive weapon in Spence.  They are weak through the air and on the ground and will really struggle moving the ball.  On the defensive side, they severely lack talent.  With only 4 defensive starters over a 3 star ranking, they will have trouble stopping opposing offenses.

Key Returning Starters: 

• C Bruce Hoskins
• TE Kulani Laupepa
• FS Marc O'Malley 12 Tackles

Key Games: @UConn, New Mexico State, @Liberty

2023 Outlook:  Losing Spence really hurts this offense.  There's just not enough talent to be competitive yet.  They did manage to avoid scheduling any P5 teams so hopefully there won't be many blowouts.

Prediction: 1-11

[Ape 4,689]

Is the predicted win against Liberty? 

[joedchi 1,603]

12 minutes ago, Ape said:

Is the predicted win against Liberty? 

Liberty or UConn.  I think they win one of those but not both.

[Ape 4,689]

Just now, joedchi said:

Liberty or UConn.  I think they win one of those but not both.

 

Is Liberty v UMass rivalry week? 

[joedchi 1,603]

It is.  Liberty did beat UMass last year 31-21 in week 8.

[Ape 4,689]

11 minutes ago, joedchi said:

It is.  Liberty did beat UMass last year 31-21 in week 8.

 

So possible 0-11 v 0-11 matchup. Will the Independent Report be broadcasting that live on periscope because that feels like the only way it would be televised  

[joedchi 1,603]

6 minutes ago, Ape said:

So possible 0-11 v 0-11 matchup.

It's possible but there are some winnable games for each team.

 

6 minutes ago, Ape said:

Will the Independent Report be broadcasting that live on periscope because that feels like the only way it would be televised  

We'll see.  We have given College Game Day the right of first refusal.