INDEPENDENT Underrated Team

The independent conference was about as similar as last season’s, but Notre Dame’s winning season last season was a welcoming one. This conference also adds Liberty and New Mexico State on the schedule. This is also the schedule where both will play each other twice this season. This hasn’t been done in a long time but they get the benefit of the doubt. Notre Dame will make a run for a playoff spot with the talent they return. Army may take a step back, but their schedule could produce a 9-win season, but replacing Ahmad Bradshaw will be a tall ask from them. BYU seemed to have lost their identity and big questions come from the quarterback spot, which is what BYU desperately needs. UMass returns key players on offense to improve their offensive stats, but hopefully their defense will follow. Liberty surprisingly popped in to the FBS level despite a losing season, but I heard quarterback Stephen “Buckshot” Calvert can really sling it. The team I chose is UMass because having most of their offense back can do wonders for their season.

UMASS

The Minutemen’s time in the FBS hasn’t been friendly. They have yet to reach .500 and haven’t even sniffed bowl-eligibility. This is one team I choose to risk at because of the offensive talent they return, including QB Andrew Ford, RB Marquis Young, and WR Andy Isabella. It’s also in the risk category because of their defense. But here’s what you all must know if you didn’t watch UMass last year, 7 of their 8 losses were by 11 points or less. This team can definitely score, but with the schedule they face, UMass’s offense must turn the dial up to UCF if they want any chance of winning 6+ games and go bowling for the first time since joining the FBS.