UMass is off to a historic start 🔥 The Minutemen are 2-0 and have won both games by double digits, including their victory over Power 4 opponent Rutgers on the road. UMass currently has a *93.5% CHANCE* to make a bowl game (ESPN), the 10th-best chance in the Group of 6 and 30th-best chance in the FBS. For reference, UMass has NEVER reached a bowl game, and never even won more than 4 games in a season at the FBS level. If they beat FCS Stonehill this week, they will already have more wins than they did in 2024 and 2025 COMBINED. So far this season: • First win since 2024 (snapped 16-game losing streak). • First win vs. FBS team since 2023 (snapped 24-game losing streak vs. FBS). • First win vs. Power 4 team since moving up to the FBS level. • First win by double digits over an FBS team in over 1,100 days. • First 2-0 start in program history at the FBS level. • Scored 30+ points in back-to-back games for the first time since 2018. • Won back-to-back games by double digits for the first time since 2014. • In good position to reach a bowl game this year for the first time ever. One key note for UMass is that they do play two FCS teams this year, which means they have to win 7 total games in order to be bowl eligible (only 1 FCS game counts toward bowl-eligibility). UMass has a major chance to make a bowl game, but ESPN analytics also have them currently favored to win 10 GAMES. They’re 2-0 and currently are only projected to lose at UConn and at Toledo in their remaining matchups. Through two games, their Virginia Tech transfer quarterback, Pop Watson III, is 28/32 for 349 yards and 4 TDs, with 80 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown as well. That 87.5% completion percentage trails just Darian Mensah’s 91.1% and is the second best in the entire FBS. Head coach Joe Harasymiak and their emerging star quarterback have the Minutemen off to an incredible start. 📈