AMHERST — The college football season is finally upon us, and with that so is UMass’ first season as a full-time member of the Mid-American Conference. New head coach Joe Harasymiak leads the Minutemen into the MAC this fall with hopes to rid them of their recent — more like prolonged — struggles.
UMass holds an abysmal 8-40 record against MAC opponents since becoming an FBS program in 2012, including an 0-13 mark since 2020, and hasn’t recorded more than four wins in a season during that span. That’s all out the window now, as the Minutemen jump into the MAC with more money they’ve ever had to use on a detailed, experience coaching staff (like the one Harasymiak has assembled for the 2025 campaign) and NIL deals to bring in top talent.
For the first time in what feels like forever, UMass also has a schedule with some consistency to it. Goodbye to the independent slate that features November games against SEC opponents and hello to eight consecutive conference bouts after four non-conference games that’ll be over in September. It’s a normal schedule, at last.
UMass kicks things off at home against Temple on Saturday before welcoming Bryant the next week, a legit chance for the Minutemen to start 2-0 for the first time since 2011. After that it’s back-to-back Power 4 contests against Iowa and Missouri with a bye week in between to set the stage for MACtion.
As we’ve done for the past handful of seasons, let’s get into a detailed breakdown of each game on the Minutemen’s 2025 schedule.
Game 1: Aug. 30 vs. Temple, 3:30 p.m.
Head coach K.C. Keeler takes the reins in his first season at Temple, bringing two FCS national championships (Delaware 2003, Sam Houston State 2020) and a proven track record of program turnarounds to Philadelphia. Very similarly to UMass and Joe Harasymiak, Keeler has brought in a completely new coaching staff — highlighted by offensive coordinator Tyler Walker (previously Montana State) and defensive coordinator Brian Smith (Rice).
Keeler hit the portal hard in the offseason to revamp and reshape the Owls’ roster. Offensively, running back Jay Ducker comes over from Sam Houston State and will be an impact player immediately for Temple, as will linebackers Ty Davis (Delaware), Jayvant Brown (Kentucky) and Willy Love (Monmouth). Temple’s offense ranked toward the bottom in FBS in points per game (121st) and yards per play (129th), but Walker — the 2024 FCS Coordinator of the Year — is certainly going to change that this year.
Aside from the above aforementioned transfers, Temple’s quarterback situation is one to keep an eye on. Keeler made it known he won’t publicly appoint a QB1 until gameday, although his team will likely know before then.
The battle is between Temple’s 2024 starter Evan Simon and transfer Gevani McCoy (Oregon State). Simon threw for over 2,000 yards and had 15 touchdowns a year ago while McCoy tossed 1,300 yards in limited action with the Beavers. Both QBs have been closely matched throughout training camp, trading snaps and standout moments in scrimmages.
It’ll be an interesting matchup with UMass considering both staffs and teams are completely different than they were a year ago.
Prediction: 27-21 UMass
Game 2: Sept. 6 vs. Bryant, 3:30 p.m.
Chris Merritt returns for his seventh season leading the FCS Bulldogs. It’s Bryant’s second year competing in the CAA, after transitioning from the Big South‑OVC following the 2023 season.
In the CAA preseason poll, Bryant was picked to finish 13th out of 14 teams, which means UMass should have no problem handling the lesser Bulldogs. For the first time in its program’s history, Bryant will face two FBS opponents in the same season — New Mexico State to open things up on Aug. 30 and of course UMass in Week 2.
With a challenging schedule, a new home atmosphere (renovated stadium in offseason) and a mix of returning leaders and newcomers, the Bulldogs’ true progress will be measured in team cohesion and conference wins. External expectations are low, but internal progress could lay the foundation for a brighter future.
Prediction: 35-13 UMass
Game 3: Sept. 13 @ Iowa, 7:30 p.m.
Under the lights at Kinnick Stadium, nobody in the country expects UMass to even put up a fight, let alone win. And that should probably be the goal: try to stay competitive for at least two quarters. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is an anomaly in today’s sport, as he enters his 27th season patrolling the Hawkeyes’ sidelines. OC Tim Lester is in year No. 2 and Phil Parker comes back for his 14th year at Iowa.
The defense has never been an issue for the Hawkeyes, as they traditionally rank atop the Big 10’s marks on that side of the ball. But it’s Iowa’s offense that typically struggles. With Mark Gronowski coming in from South Dakota State, he will be the best quarterback Iowa has had in years. Gronowski is a two-time FCS national champion, a 2023 Walter Payton Award winner and a prolific dual-threat option under center.
Making plays alongside Gronowski is Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson, both looking to fill the RB void that NFL-bound Kaleb Johnson left. Jacob Gill returns as the leading receiver while Reece VanderZee and Chattanooga transfer Sam Phillips are capable of breaking out this season. Iowa’s offensive line remains a pillar led by center Logan Jones and tackle Gennings Dunker, both among the nation’s top prospects.
The Hawkeyes’ defensive line is elite, with Ethan Hurkett, Max Llewellyn and Aaron Graves, although their linebacker and secondary groups are areas of concern due to major turnover.
Prediction: 41-10 Iowa
Game 4: Sept. 27 @ Missouri, TBD
Fresh off a bye week, the Minutemen will hit the road for another Power 4 road game under the lights, this one being the return game after the Tigers traveled to Amherst last fall. Eli Drinkwitz embarks on his sixth year leading Missouri, following a successful 10–3 campaign in 2024 that concluded with a Music City Bowl win over Iowa. Projections have Missouri taking a step back from last year, as the Tigers were picked to finish 12th in the SEC.
That won’t really matter when UMass rolls into town, as similarly to the Iowa game, the Minutemen just need to get through the game fully healthy as MAC competition begins the following week. Competing throughout the first half is a plus.
The Tigers’ QB race remains unsettled; Penn State transfer Beau Pribula and returning redshirt-junior Sam Horn will both see action in the season opener, giving Coach Drinkwitz a real-game evaluation before naming a definitive starter. Ahmad Hardy, the 2024 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year from Louisiana Monroe, joins as the presumed lead rusher after a 1,351-yard, 13-TD season while Kevin Coleman Jr. (All-SEC from Mississippi State), Marquis Johnson and Joshua Manning step in to handle WR duties.
Missouri returns a defensive backbone that features seven returning starters and impactful new additions through the portal. Damon Wilson II (elite pass rusher), Josiah Trotter (sturdy linebacker) and Jalen Catalon (experienced safety) are the three to watch, one at each level of the defense.
Prediction: 48-14 Missouri
Game 5: Oct. 4 vs. Western Michigan, TBD
Western Michigan and head coach Lance Taylor are victims of the new era of college football. They build a solid foundation, land talent in their recruiting classes and fill in the gaps from the transfer portal. But for MAC schools like WMU, their top players are grabbed by the Power Four programs and gone in a blink.
Few teams in the MAC have less returning production, especially on offense. Quarterback Treyson Bourguet transferred to BYU and wide receiver Kenneth Womack graduated. Running back Jalen Buckley returns as one of the most consistent rushers in the conference fresh off scoring 19 TDs over the last two seasons, and tight end Blake Bosma is a top target in the MAC.
Defensively, Western Michigan struggled in 2024. The Broncos had little-to-no pass rush and their interior line often got pushed back, which led to them giving up 30 or more points in seven contests. In order for Western Michigan to have success this season, it needs to run the ball well with Buckley and in turn the Broncos must do a much better job up front stopping the ground game themselves.
Prediction: 27-24 UMass
Game 6: Oct. 11 @ Kent State, TBD
This is one of those games that the Minutemen simply have to win if they’re going to turn the corner as a program. Kent State was 0-12 last year (and 1-11 the year before that) and is starting completely from scratch in 2025 under interim head coach Mark Carney, who also will be calling the plays as offensive coordinator.
The Golden Flashes offensive line returns only one starter in Dustyn Morell, their running game was second-worst in college football in terms of rushing yards and it was dead last in yards per carry. Only Ky Thomas ran for more than 145 yards in the entire season last year, and he’s gone. Minnesota transfer Jordan Nubin, who totaled only 11 carries in 2024, is set to be Kent State’s feature back.
Fordham transfer CJ Montes is probably the Golden Flashes’ best option at quarterback although he doesn’t have much t throw to as top target Chrishon McCray left for Michigan State. Only one touchdown catch returns from last year’s roster.
And as bad as the offense is, Kent State’s defense is just as bad. They were last in total defense, scoring defense and run defense. UMass can’t afford to lose this game and is given a 63.5 percent chance to win it according to ESPN Analytics.
Prediction: 28-14 UMass
Game 7: Oct. 18 vs. Buffalo, TBD
Buffalo thumped the Minutemen 34-3 a year ago in upstate New York’s version of Amherst, but hopefully that’ll change in western Massachusetts’ version of Amherst. This is going to be the Minutemen’s first huge MAC test of the season after two favorable games against Western Michigan and Kent State. The Bulls turned a lot of heads in the conference in 2024 after going 9-4 and finishing the year on a five-game winning streak that included a decisive 26-7 win over Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl.
This year, Buffalo is included in the small group of teams that can win the MAC. The Bulls’ defensive unit helped the team rank in the top 20 in turnover margin, the offense was opportunistic and they didn’t lose much to the transfer portal in the offseason.
New quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson comes over from Kansas State after not seeing much action, but he did throw for over 2,000 yards and 12 TDs at UConn in 2023. Top wideout Victor Snow was an All-MAC selection a year ago and is back to build off his strong season, and the offensive line is littered with veterans to make up one of the team’s best units.
Prediction: 35-17 Buffalo
Game 8: Oct. 25 @ Central Michigan, TBD
Going into Kelly/Shorts Stadium will be a fun experience for UMass in what will be its first true conference road environment as a member of the MAC (no, I’m not counting Kent State’s empty stadium). Under new head coach Matt Drinkall, the Chippewas are looking to find their mojo again after going 13-23 with no bowl appearances over the last three seasons — something Central Michigan isn’t used to.
After running the triple option at Army the past six years, Drinkall won’t bring that exact playbook to Central Michigan, but one thing for sure: he wants to pound the ball on the ground. The Chippewas didn’t establish the run enough to open up their pass game in 2024, so that will be priority number one under the new coaching staff in 2025.
A quarterback competition between Broc Lowry and Brady Jones is still being settled, and CMU’s wide receivers are a bit thin after losing Chris Parker and Evan Boyd — two of the Chippewas’ top targets — to the portal which leaves some question marks hanging over the offense. Central Michigan’s linebackers led by Jordan Kwiatkowski are the strength of the defense, and the secondary is strong thanks to the portal additions of Kalen Carroll and Maddix Blackwell.
CMU is similar to UMass with a new coaching staff and a quarterback competition that ran into fall camp.
Prediction: 31-24 Central Michigan
Game 9: Nov. 4 @ Akron, 7 p.m.
Welcome to MACtion! This will be the Minutemen’s first of four weeknight games of the year, an early-November bout with the Zips in what is sure to be chilly temperatures. Akron was toward the bottom of the MAC in 2024 going 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the conference, but a 21-14 OT win over Toledo to end the year gave the Zips and head coach Joe Moorhead some promising momentum heading into the offseason.
With only one winning season (2015) since 2005, Akron is praying that 2025 is finally the year that everything comes together. Moorhead is a brilliant offensive mind, and when the Zips put up more than 320 yards in a game last year, they went 4-2. The offensive line needs to be better this year, as Akron’s run game struggled, but the additions of Amarie Archer (East Carolina) and Darrell Johnson (Western Kentucky) will be a boost.
Leading rusher Jordon Simmons left for Ole Miss, however Tennessee State transfer Jordan Gant and Colgate transfer Chris Gee are solid options in the backfield. Quarterback Ben Finley began his long career at North Carolina State before moving across the country to California, where he threw for over 2,600 yards and 16 scores in 2024. He’s leading the Akron offense this season.
Defensively, it’s all about the front seven, which was almost non-existent for the Zips last season. Returner Kiawan Murphy and Arizona transfer Cyrus Durham are promising presences up front.
Prediction: 23-17 Akron
Game 10: Nov. 12 vs. Northern Illinois, 7 p.m.
The first weeknight MACtion bout at McGuirk will be against one of the MAC’s stronger teams in NIU, a group coming off an 8-5 season that featured a double overtime bowl win over Fresno State. While this is UMass’ first season in the MAC, it’ll coincide with the Huskies’ final season in the MAC as they head to the Mountain West next fall.
The highlight of NIU’s 2024 season was undoubtedly its shocking win on the road over No. 5 Notre Dame, a team that ultimately made it to the College Football Playoff National Championship game in January. From there, not much went right for the Huskies as they lost their next four games.
This year, Northern Illinois will look much different as just about everyone is gone from last year’s group of producers. Telly Johnson is coming off a promising freshman season in which he ran for 480 yards and four touchdowns, quarterback Josh Holst is more of a running-style QB and will step in as the starter after serving as the team’s backup in 2024, and wideout Dane Partridge is the veteran among a very young and inexperienced group.
Now here’s where NIU is scary; the Huskies’ defense finished fourth in the entire country in total defense. Only one team managed to score more than 24 points on them last year, and NIU still won the game. The pass rush was deadly. But the bigger programs came in and cleaned house, taking almost all of the Huskies’ key contributors. Quinn Urwiler, Jasper Beeler and Roy Williams are names to watch on the NIU defense.
Prediction: 34-21 Northern Illinois
Game 11: Nov. 18 @ Ohio, TBD
With a new head coach, it’ll be hard for the Bobcats to repeat last year’s success, which happened to be the best season in program history — 11 wins, a MAC championship and a bowl win. It’s a good thing that new head coach is Brian Smith, who served as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2024. Like every Group of 5 school deals with, Smith did lose some key pieces to the big fish in the portal.
However the Bobcats’ core is still strong, and their skill positions may be even better than they were last year. The offense in 2024 lived off of third-down conversions and keeping the chains moving. Continue on with that and the MAC’s best offense will continue to produce with All-MAC selection Parker Navarro back at quarterback. Navarro threw for nearly 2,500 yards and ran for over 1,000 to go along with 31 total TDs.
His receivers are Chase Hendricks and Rodney Harris, both as solid as they come, but his line needs retooling after a handful of departures. Defensively, after a top-10 nationwide finish in total defense, the entire line is gone and Ohio’s linebackers are thin. The secondary is where the Bobcats will shine led by Tank Pearson — one of the MAC’s top corners.
If Ohio can piece together its defensive front and its run defense can hold up, the Bobcats have a chance to repeat as MAC champions.
Prediction: 38-16 Ohio
Game 12: Nov. 25 vs. Bowling Green, TBD
Although the game time hasn’t yet been announced, it’ll be a night game at McGuirk to end the season as Bowling Green comes to town for a Tuesday night contest — wrapping up the Minutemen’s first year back in the MAC. Eddie George is the new head coach of the Falcons which will be interesting, as the Ohio State and NFL legend moves on from his previous gig at Tennessee State where he recently won a conference title and got them to the FCS Playoffs.
Drew Pyne is George’s quarterback. It’s Pyne’s sixth year of college football after three seasons with Notre Dame (over 2,000 yards and 22 TDs in year three in South Bend), one with Arizona State and one with Missouri. Pyne hasn’t seen much action since his one standout season with the Irish, but he’s going to get his chance this fall with Bowling Green.
And Pyne has plenty to work with as Finn Hogan and Rahkeem Smith are strong pass catchers on the outside and running backs Chris McMillian and Mar’Kel Porter can strike for home run plays. On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Brandon Fisher comes with George from Tennessee State to call the defense. He’ll have Myles Bradley and Collins Acheampong as terrific edge rushers to work with, alongside four or five serviceable members of the secondary.
Prediction: 41-38 UMass