By MATT VAUTOUR
UMass is the worst college football team in the Bowl Subdivision.
That’s what CBSSports.com says anyway. The Washington Post and Campus Insiders agree.
While those three rankings are done by media members, ESPN’s Football Power Index is computer based and has the Minutemen No. 123, but winning just two games.
The numbers aren’t surprising. UMass has eight wins in four seasons and lost a lot of production on both sides of the ball. Expectations nationally were bound to be low.
If the Minutemen want to take steps forward as a program, they can’t remain stuck in the mud forever.
For UMass to jump over the low bar being set for it externally, here are some ingredients it needs.
Reliable quarterback play — Blake Frohnapfel wasn’t the same quarterback as a senior in 2015 as he was as a junior. His touchdowns went down (23 to 16) and his interceptions went up (10 to 13), and the offense didn’t run the same.
But he still left big shoes to fill.
New starter Ross Comis has looked good in mop-up duty last year. His next test is how he plays when the game is on the line.
Better protection would help too. UMass was sacked 29 times, the most of any Mid-American Conference team that only played 12 games.
A receiver to emerge — With Tajae Sharpe gone, it won’t be instantly obvious to opponents who to focus their pass coverage on.
Jalen Williams has had a hard time staying healthy. Shakur Nesmith has never found consistency and Bernard Davis has been a complimentary player throughout his career. Are any of them ready to take a huge step?
It doesn’t have to be a wide receiver. Tight ends Adam Breneman and Travis Reynolds could see a lot of balls thrown their way, if no wide out stands out.
Pressure on opposing QBs — UMass’ defense had 15 sacks last year, which left it tied for 116th in the country. JUCO transfer Rod Jones Jr. is supposed to be a specialist at getting to the quarterback after registering 16½ sacks at the College of San Francisco.
But Jones isn’t on UMass’ two-deep yet as he tries to catch up.
Be better in the red zone — The Minutemen need to be better inside the 20 at both ends of the field. Last year they visited 42 times on offense and scored just 29 times ranking them 122 out of 127 FBS teams.
Opponents scored on 49 of 55 trips, which put UMass 106th in the FBS.
Kicking better would sure help. The Minutemen missed four field goals and didn’t score at other points because they weren’t confident enough to try and kick.
Frohnapfel was intercepted five times inside the 20. Avoid a few turnovers and make a few more kicks and you’re a much better football team.
Make the most of a schedule that’s not quite as hard as it looks — There are four Power 5 schools on UMass’ schedule starting with No. 25 Florida Saturday.
But after the Gators, it’s not as scary as it sounds.
The same CBS rankings that put UMass last, has every team the Minutemen face, except Florida and BYU, in the lower half of its 128.
Boston College was 3-9 last year with two of its wins coming over FCS schools. Barring another blizzard of quarterback injuries, the Eagles will be better, but this is a program that’s still rebuilding.
Beating any SEC school figures to be a monstrous task for UMass, but South Carolina was picked last in the East and Mississippi State was last in the West. If the Minutemen stay competitive they could build some momentum.
Tulane was picked last in the AAC West.
Hawaii was last in the Mountain West’s West Division.
In Conference USA’s East Division, Florida International is fifth and Old Dominion is sixth in the preseason poll ahead of only Charlotte, which is playing in its first FBS season.
If UMass can be even a little better than expected there should at least be some competitive games.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage