CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Massachusetts Minutemen are truly in limbo going into the 2014 Mid-American Conference football season. This is the beginning of a two-year exit from the MAC for UMass football, with their future landing spot still unknown.
On top of that, this is still a fledgling major college football program, complete with the talent and depth issues one would normally expect. Not much is expected from the Minutemen this season, particularly since this was an offensively challenged outfit last year that still has experience and depth issues to overcome.
This is the fifth in The Plain Dealer's week-long preview of MAC East football teams.
UMASS MINUTEMEN
Coach: Mark Whipple, first year.
Last season: 1-11 all, 1-7 MAC.
Offense: The Minutemen are the big unknown in the MAC. Former head coach Charley Molnar was fired after only two seasons of building the team into a Division I program after moving up from the former I-AA ranks. Whipple, the Cleveland Browns quarterback coach in 2011-12, is actually in his second tour with the Minutemen as he was the head coach when UMass was a I-AA power. With seven starters back, but unsettled at quarterback, UMass will be a work in progress.
Defense: With the exception of two late-season games where it allowed better than 50 points in each, the Massachusetts defense was actually rather stout, considering the offense scored seven points or less in half its games, and two touchdowns or less in 11 of 12. Three of six returning starters are on the defensive line, so the Minutemen do have an anchor to grow from.
Major loss: Three of five offensive linemen on an already offensively challenged team leaves a major void that likely will not be filled quickly.
Player to watch: Tailback Jamal Wilson (368 yards, 1 TD) took over as No. 1 last season. Considering the offensive line must be rebuilt, and scoring is already a challenge, Wilson can be the guy to move the chains and keep the clock running.
Non-conference schedule: Boston College, Colorado, at Vanderbilt, at Penn State.
Key game: Oct. 4 at Miami -- This is the first of a three-week run (followed by games at Kent State and at Eastern Michigan) where the Minutemen could pick up a victory or two. If not, this could be a long season at UMass.
Overview: The non-conference schedule would be daunting for a veteran MAC team, but is particularly tough for a building program. Then the MAC grind only has a home game vs. Eastern Michigan as the best chance for a home win, and that's if the Minutemen get through September without major injuries. Truly a rebuilding year for a new coach and a new program.
• UMass football schedule, roster, stats and more.
MAC Football 2014:
Plain Dealer MAC East preview schedule this week; Monday --
; Tuesday --
Wednesday --
Thursday --
Friday -- Massachusetts; Saturday -- Miami; Sunday -- Ohio University.