A new era of UMass football is about to begin with the start of spring ball next week.

Joe Harasymiak officially begins trying to bring the Minutemen back to respectability and relevance when the team hits the field on Monday, but fans can finally start planning tailgates and maybe a road trip or two. In conjunction with the MAC, UMass released its full schedule on Wednesday afternoon.

Here’s a look at the full 12-game slate:

Saturday 8/30 – vs. Temple
Saturday 9/6 – vs. Bryant
Saturday 9/13 – @ Iowa
Saturday 9/27 – @ Missouri
Saturday 10/4 – vs. Western Michigan
Saturday 10/11 – @ Kent State
Saturday 10/18 – vs. Buffalo
Saturday 10/25 – @ Central Michigan
Tuesday – 11/4 – @ Akron
Wednesday – 11/12 vs. NIU
Tuesday – 11/18 – @ Ohio
Tuesday – 11/25 – vs. Bowling Green

The obvious glaring omission is no more game against UConn, which is disappointing. But, three Tuesday night games and a Wednesday night game as one of only two or four teams playing that night on national TV is exposure you simply can’t get as an independent. Those games – particularly if the team is actually competitive and the stands are filling up – is massive for recruiting.

It’s going to be a tough stretch following Temple and Bryant with those back-to-back games at Iowa and Mizzou, but Harasymiak is clearly trying to get his team hardened for the games that ultimately matter the most in-conference. There’s a long way to go and this team hasn’t had a single practice under their new leader yet, but picking off Temple and beating FCS Bryant should be on the table as far as expectations go.

Times and broadcast info for all of the games will be announced closer to the start of the season.