UMass Minutemen Future Odds: Betting Predictions & Analysis
After Going Winless Versus FBS Competition in 2022, What Is Next for the UMass Minutemen?
Large Numbers of Transfers Could Play Immediately at UMass in 2023 Season
Don Brown’s second stint as the UMass head coach is still a work in progress. A quick peek at the NCAA football stats shows that the Minutemen ranked 129th out of 131 teams in total offense. The defense showed some strides by finishing 55th in total defense. When looking at the UMass Minutemen future odds, plenty of work remains to be done.
UMass was very active working the transfer portal with former Arizona linebackers coach Keith Dudzinski having a role in seven players who began their collegiate careers at Arizona landing at UMass.
UMass quarterbacks completed less than 50% of their passes in six of the first seven games before starting to connect at a slightly higher rate as the offense had monumental struggles to move the ball.
UMass used most of its roster slot on incoming transfers and junior-college transfers, but did add three offensive linemen among the high school commitments as the Minutemen look to build the team from the inside out.
FBS Transfers Look To Make An Impact For the Minutemen
Four touchdown passes in 12 games is simply not going to get it done and that is what UMass had a season ago. Brady Olson is back after throwing two of those TD passes. He also led the Minutemen with 791 passing yards. The arrival of former Clemson and Georgia quarterback Taisun Phommachanh is going to challenge Olson for the starting job.
UMass needs to replace Ellis Merriweather, the top rusher. However, he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, so it is going to be too challenging to address that loss.
UMass had 10 plays from scrimmage of at least 30 yards, the worst mark among the 131 FBS teams, and adding more big-play ability on offense will be a priority.
Among the 22 incoming transfers, 13 come in from Power-5 conference teams. It is a concern that the top five rated transfers headed elsewhere, which factors into the UMass Minutemen future odds.
George Johnson, who led UMass with 28 catches in 2022, is back as is Isaac Ross while also coming back and some help from transfers is coming to upgrade the talent among the pass catchers.
Linebacker Gerrell Johnson and cornerback Jordan Mahoney are the top returnees on defense.
Cornerback Isaiah Rutherford, defensive tackle JB Brown and linebacker Jerry Roberts both came in from Arizona, safety Dashaun Jerkins transferred in from Ole Miss, safeties Jalen Harrell and Steven Ortiz arrived from Miami and Minnesota. At the same time, former Florida State edge rusher Shambre Jackson could play critical roles in 2023.
National Championship Odds: Wait Until Hockey Season
UMass did win a national championship at a lower level when Brown was there. It is not going to happen at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
When looking at the UMass Minutemen’s future odds, remember that the Minutemen are 2-34 against FBS competition over the last four NCAAF seasons. UMass had just two games decided by one score a season ago, so there is still plenty of work to do. That is clear when looking at the NCAAF predictions with the national championship odds set at +100000 for the Minutemen.
Regular Season Wins: Nowhere To Go But Up
The only win during the 2022 season came against a Football Championship Subdivision team. Nine of the 11 losses came by double digits as the NCAA football scores were sometimes not pretty.
UMass was a 20-point underdog six times in 2022 and did cover in three of those games. Are better times ahead? UMass is priced at -130 to go over two wins and at even money to finish under that total.
The games against Auburn and Penn State probably won’t be pretty. Still, there are some games where the Minutemen could be competitive, so perhaps a couple of wins versus FBS teams and a victory versus FCS Merrimack is a possibility.
To Make the Playoffs: We Don’t Think So
UMass will focus on a win, any win coming into the 2023 season. There is no chance of being among four teams invited to compete in the College Football Playoffs.
As an independent, there is no conference title to shoot for either, so the focus will be on games against New Mexico State, Miami (Ohio), Eastern Michigan, New Mexico, Arkansas State, Toledo, Army, Liberty or UConn. UMass is an eight-point underdog in the season opener against New Mexico State on Aug. 26. UMass fell to New Mexico State 23-13 in 2022.
Getting a couple of wins would be a sign of progress as the rebuilding of the UMass program continues until the watch of Brown.
For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
Follow us on Twitter
