Image courtesy of UMass Football
The UMass Minutemen are returning to the MAC in 2025 under new head coach Joe Harasymiak. They’ve also brought in new offensive and defensive coordinators and made significant use of the transfer portal to bolster their roster. While there’s a fresh energy and some promising additions, UMass has historically struggled at the FBS level, with a 2-10 record in 2024 and 2023. This schedule will be a challenge.
Here’s a breakdown and prediction for each game:
August 30 vs. Temple: On paper, this is a game UMass could win. Temple is coming in with a new head coach of their own in K.C Keeler. Keeler is a proven winner at the FCS level and he will get the Owls going. I think this will be a good game but I am giving the edge to Temple in a close one. Prediction: Loss
September 6 vs. Bryant: Chris Merritt’s squad is always well coached and prepared but UMass is the more talented program and that proves to be the difference. Joe Harasymiak picks up his first win as UMass Head Coach. Prediction: Win
September 13 at Iowa: A Big Ten road trip. Iowa consistently fields strong, disciplined teams, especially defensively, and Kinnick Stadium is a tough environment. This will be a significant challenge for UMass. Prediction: Loss
September 27 at Missouri: UMass hung with Missouri for a quarter and a half last season at McGuirk and then the Tigers ran away with it. You could see the same thing play out in this game but in the end, Missouri is too good, especially at home. Prediction: Loss
October 4 vs. Western Michigan: UMass’s first MAC home game. Western Michigan is a tough home opener. Lance Taylor’s squad is physical and well coached. UMass can keep this close but Western Michigan has the slight talent edge so I am going with the Broncos. Side note. Former UMass coach Walt Bell is the Broncos offensive coordinator. Prediction: Loss
October 11 at Kent State: A MAC road game against a team that has also been rebuilding. This is a game UMass needs to win if they are going to make meaningful progress this season. Minutemen get it done and pick up their second win of the season. Prediction: Win
October 18 vs. Buffalo: Another game where the Minutemen will play tough and be in it in the fourth quarter but may come up short in the talent department. Pete Lembo’s teams are always well coached. I’m leaning Bulls here in another close home loss. Prediction: Loss
October 25 at Central Michigan: A toss up game. The Chips also have a first year head coach in Matt Drinkall, who comes from Army. Central Michigan is coming off a 4-8 season and only returns three starters on offense. On paper, UMass can win this game. They will. Minutemen pick up a big road win and their third win of the season. Prediction: Win
November 4 at Akron: A roadie to Akron kicks off MACtion and the Minutemen make it two in a row with a big win on national television. Prediction: Win
November 12 vs. Northern Illinois: Thomas Hammock is a good coach who runs a good program. UMass will be ready to play and this game will be a battle but it is hard to pick against one of the better programs in the MAC. Prediction: Loss
November 18 at Ohio: Final road game of the season is a tough one at Ohio. The Bobcats are one of the top programs in the conference and this game will have conference and bowl implications for them. Give me Ohio in a game you Joe is competitive if you are UMass. Prediction: Loss
November 25 vs. Bowling Green: It is weird to have UMass close out the season on Tuesday night at McGuirk but that’s life in the MAC. Eddie George’s Falcons return some good talent and could be feisty. Despite that, I think the Minutemen win a close one and give the fans a lot of hope heading into 2026. Prediction: Win
Overall Predicted Record: 5-7: I am all in Joe Harasymiak and this coaching staff. I think they turn things around and get this program on track finally as an FBS program. Sure, they have struggled against the MAC in recent years but I think conference is down and there are a lot of new head coaches. UMass capitalizes on it and gains some much needed momentum.