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Yet another one developed by Coach JRod who had few to no offers coming out of high school, now heading out the door to get paid. What really stings about losing Morris is his ability to adequately play anywhere on the OL when needed.

My guess is they feel there will be a solid enough base to make them competitive in 2026 with the retention of their 13–15 “quality” players, plus a decent recruiting class. I’d think this past year was more of a learn-on-the-job experience for their HC, where he found out football at the G5 level is a bit more difficult than at FCS. I don’t know if UMass has the right guy for the job or not, but I’d love to see Akron find a way to retain most of our best players.

Always open for good scuttlebutt: ... Went searching on the internet and chat-rooms and couldn't find anything - even a hint - about this or something like it. I checked KSU roster from last season and they did lose two guys, including the freshman kid from Akron. The other loss was a portal kid who started early, but was deep on the bench when he 'got hurt' during MAC play, then signed with a pro team in Brazil. He was injury prone before getting to Kent (never played a full season) so don't know how to read that one. Like above, willing to give the kid benefit of the doubt at this point.

I'm sure it's cheaper and easier to retain your own players than getting into bidding wars for others. It's probably the better long-term building strategy assuming you can bring in players that are capable of being developed. That said, UMass appeared to be a mid-tier FCS caliber roster last year. One would think if they have the deep pockets they claim to have they would at least try to jump start this rebuild by bringing in a few day 1 contributors. Someone on UMass board says they plan to spent $3 million in NIL for 2026. Without some outside talent I'm not sure how that money is going to get spent. Do they just plan to grossly overpay their current roster?

Groundhog Day. Waking up to JoeMo Year 1... again.

If this was a one time deal and he hasn't created any other issues, I wouldn't label the young man as having moral issues.

Dang. Looks like we’ll be moving forward with a completely new starting 5..

Exactly. The entertainment value of these games is horrible. Because coaches and players leave, and the players falling out of shape because of the gap between the end of the season and the first games, the football is just bad.Please raise your hand if you saw a well played college game. If anyone watched these games and felt quality football was being played, I have ocean front property in Arizona I'd like to sell you. It was terrible. NFL games between even average teams provides much better entertainment. The only people who say good things about it are the bobbleheads on ESPN. The NFL should look at the ineptitude of the powers that be in college athletics and run this nonsensical invitational tournament out of business by hogging up TV time on Saturdays in December. The NFL could easily run it out of business or at least drive the games to less desirable weekdays. Give it a catchy name like MACtion and watch it collapse.

Thanks MD, at least posting what KenPom has made public. But to use the gaussian method (whatever that is), there must be some input. It seems too me the input has to be more than just home and away final scores. My earlier guess that foul shooting, injuries, etc. are included may be wrong. In any event, I suppose the luck factor goes into the overall Kenpom rating, so it all washes out.

I watched the NFL games today instead of the bowl games. I'm not sure what the powers that be hope to achieve by expanding the playoffs. Unless you're a fan of the teams playing, who is going to watch JMU-Oregon over Packers-Bears? The more they try to expand the playoffs, the more games that will overlap with NFL time slots.

Allegedly, he punched a teammate who ended up quitting the team. Don't know all the details, but if they're true, Pinky chose to stick with Gillespie and bring in his cousin.

Just curious ... wasn't up to date on Gillespie allegations. What have I missed? (Always want to be informed).

Well when you reject the need for any moral standards, it opens the door to find said ballers. If the allegations against Gillespie last season are accurate, add him to a long line of baller punks that have worn the Kent Pee Yellow. Interesting results today. PCCC and BUGS each with 10 pt road wins, but neither had particularly strong offensive performances. UMass returned to their Paradise Jam version, shooting 33% from the field (no wonder Gillespie had 20 rebounds). Ohio blows and I have no idea how they beat St. Bonnie. Miami with a nice offensive performance on the road, but a single digit win vs one of the worst teams in CBB is hardly impressive. Buffalo is the only team that took care of a garbage MAC program.

It looks like there are several teams in the MAC with decent post players: Akron, Buffalo, EMU, Kent, Toledo, Miami and maybe one more I'm missing. At some point all of them will have a game where the whistle finds them early and they are sent to the bench. It will be interesting to see how the whistle blows against all these guys as the season wears on. Lyles-Gillespie should be a classic. Frankly, I hope the officials let those two guys officiate themselves. It should be a classic.

Thats a grown man game. Have to give Pinkie credit in one area - he tends to always have a flat out baller on his team.

Iona beat Vermont at Vermont! That’s impressive

KSUcks' Gillespie had 18 & 20 vs. UMass today 👀

This might be BGs year

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Concord's?

Still a lot of MAC games to go. Based on MAC history, if UMass is indeed a top tier MAC team, a road win there will carry some weight in the standings down the stretch. Don't think Zips have to worry about that, and Kent already has come out of Amherst standing, but until the likes of Miami, Toledo, Buffalo or any other MAC contender walks out of there standing I'll take UMass at home most nights. As for Boals and TK ... still too early to write either of them off. Expect both to be above .500 on the season, albeit barely. The hot seat turns up next season, when their roster management/adjustment will be exposed as they try to improve. Also. If BG builds up a head of steam, they could be a darkhorse in this race by the end of January. Just my opinion.

I certainly hope not. I like him there and Tod at Toledo. Two fewer teams that we have to worry about come March.

UMASS opens their first conference game with a 10 point loss to Kent State. OU down by 15 mid-way through the 2nd to BG. Have to think this might be Boals’ last season with the program if it keeps trending this way.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47371200/sources-rams-fire-special-teams-coordinator-chase-blackburn