Massachusetts at Rutgers - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Massachusetts Minutemen at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

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Thursday, September 3rd 2026 (12:00 AM EDT)
SHI Stadium - Piscataway, NJ

 
Minutemen (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Joe Harasymiak (0 - 12)
Avg Score : 11 - 39 (9 - 43 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#104)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: Rutgers -34.5  (SP+ RUTG -38)
Projected Score: UMASS: 12 - RUTG: 46 (58)
RUTG Win prob: 100% | Cover: 58%
UMASS Travel: 6348 miles
Scarlet Knights (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (99 - 108)
Avg Score : 29 - 32 (35 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.5 - 6.5 (#73)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 0) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
 
Massachusetts's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Massachusetts at Rutgers+34.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Massachusetts at UConn+30.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Massachusetts's Schedule
Rutgers's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Rutgers vs Massachusetts-34.5————
Fri 9/11Rutgers at Boston College-2————
Sat 9/19Rutgers vs USC+16.5————
Sat 9/26Rutgers vs Howard-25————
Sat 10/3Rutgers vs Indiana+25.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17Rutgers at Maryland+3————
Sat 10/24Rutgers at Northwestern+4————
Sat 10/31Rutgers vs Michigan+15————
Sat 11/7Rutgers at Wisconsin+1————
Sat 11/14Rutgers vs Nebraska+2————
Sat 11/21Rutgers at Penn State+18.5————
Sat 11/28Rutgers vs Michigan State-4.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Rutgers's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UMASS#135 (-.01)34% (134)11.133% (136)2.05 (136)8234% (129)1652.17 (136)#133 (.28)48% (130)38.649% (129)48% (129)4.64 (134)41.41.30.8
RUTG#37 (.21)47% (20)28.746% (41)3.03 (55)14247% (18)2663.38 (102)#134 (.31)47% (128)31.847% (113)49% (132)4.45 (131)32.60.91
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UMASS0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
RUTG0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UMASS Offense1211.19.333.7%2.171.316248821652.845%54%33%34%20%-.01
RUTG Defense1231.830.347.4%4.451 - - - - - 50%49%47%49%12%.31
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UMASS Defense1238.642.548%4.640.8 - - - - - 55%43%49%48%9%.28
RUTG Offense1228.735.446.8%3.380.9234081422663.749%50%46%47%16%.21

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Massachusetts1226:5615.531%23%5.241.41.30.83.31.1125.9
Rutgers1232:3123.343%62%4.132.60.913.90.9328.1
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UMASS Offense1245% (108)33% (136)29.382.42.86 (122)-.03 (129)2.05 (136)60% (127)13% (127)1.12 (12)
RUTG Defense1250% (64)47% (113) - - - - .26 (134)3.15 (110)66% (28)9% (106)1.13 (131)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UMASS Defense1255% (126)49% (129) - - - - .2 (121)3.53 (136)77% (106)6% (136)0.84 (14)
RUTG Offense1249% (74)46% (41)38.8141.53.719 (49).09 (80)3.03 (55)75% (46)9% (44)0.86 (117)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UMASS Offense1254% (26)34% (129)18.634.6165.14.88.98 (134)9 (88).02 (132)1.3 (135)38% (135)25% (119).14 (126)7% (110)2 (70)
RUTG Defense1249% (74)49% (132) - - - - - - 5 (100).44 (134)1.6 (66)30% (96)34% (118).36 (100)4% (133)2.1 (89)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UMASS Defense1243% (12)48% (129) - - - - - - 4 (75).41 (128)1.6 (103)26% (134)33% (105).42 (120)3% (136)2 (76)
RUTG Offense1250% (62)47% (18)19.531.5266.18.513.722 (42)7 (60).34 (39)1.5 (89)29% (36)36% (20).33 (57)7% (110)1.8 (129)

Massachusetts's Power Ratings
Massachusetts's Power Rating: -23.68  #138
Massachusetts's Offense Rating: -0.70  #137
Massachusetts's Defense Rating: 27.98  #138
2026 Talent Rating: 428.00  #126
Blue Chip Ratio: 3%  #64
Massachusetts's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Massachusetts's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -36.6  #136
Massachusetts's Offense SP+ Rating: 7.8  #136
Massachusetts's Defense SP+ Rating: 42.8  #136

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 546.62
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Massachusetts: -23.68   Rutgers: 4.195

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Massachusetts: -36.6   Rutgers: 1.0




Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: 4.195  #69
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 16.01  #42
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 18.62  #87
2026 Talent Rating: 816.00  #57
Blue Chip Ratio: 7  #47
Rutgers's 2026 Expected Record: 5.5 - 6.5
Rutgers's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.0  #72
Rutgers's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.6  #39
Rutgers's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.7  #95

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Massachusetts Scoring
Offense: 11.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 9.3
Defense: 38.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 42.5

Massachusetts's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Rutgers 46
Massachusetts 12

Projected Total Points: 58
Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 35.4
Defense: 31.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 30.3

Rutgers's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201908/30Rutgers48Massachusetts21Rutgers -17Rutgers54.0Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rutgers111 Overs
Massachusetts000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#138) UMASS at (#69) RUTG
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUMASSRUTG
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #138 #69
SP+SP+ #136 #72
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #126 #57
Blue ChipsBC% #64 #47
Massachusetts Notes
(2/27) Vibes: Why bother. School deserves better
(2/27) 8 wins in 7 years (8-68), should not be FBS
(2/27) QB Watson (VT) vs Johnson (FAMU)... meh
(2/27) RB a stable of longshots with 2 portal adds
(2/27) WR could have upside w King (FCS), Matthews
(2/27) OL 6 w starting exp, 2 from FCS. Better than exp
(2/27) DL severely lacks size, talent. Have bros from IU?
(2/27) LB best unit on team, by far. 3 good starters
(2/27) DBs will be bad, likely really bad.
Massachusetts Injury Report
Rutgers Notes
(3/3) Vibes: Meh, no NIL, 3rd lowest P4 portal class
(2/8) New DC Travis Johansen was S Dakota's HC
(2/5) QB Lonergan (BC) serviceable, can't run. Depth?
(2/5) RB Raymond one of CFBs best. Good depth here
(2/5) WR Duff a great target, but there's no proven depth
(2/5) OL 1 starter back, 2 more G5/FCS. Options here but ?
(2/5) DL 4 portals, biggest area needed. Looks OK
(2/5) LB has 2 w starting exp but avg. Need more
(2/5) DBs big ? CBs w most exp are portals. S looks bad
(2/5) Two good weapons and lots of ? in lots of areas
Rutgers Injury Report
Massachusetts on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
UMASS OffRUTG Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #134 #128
ExplosiveExp #78 #114
PPAPPA #135 #134
PowerPwr #137 #87
SP+SP+ #136 #95
Pts POPPO #136 #131
HavocHav #131 #125
Massachusetts Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
UMASS OffRUTG Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #136 #113
Run ExplRExp #12 #131
PPAExp #129 #134
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #136 #110
Stuff RateStuff #136 #62
TackleTak - NR
Massachusetts Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
UMASS OffRUTG Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #129 #132
Pass ExplPExl #135 #66
PPAExp #132 #134
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #127 #106
DB HavocDB #110 #133
Rutgers on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatRUTG OffUMASS Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #20 #130
ExplosiveExp #89 #24
PPAPPA #37 #133
PowerPwr #42 #138
SP+SP+ #39 #136
Pts POPPO #102 #134
HavocHav #76 #136
Rutgers Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffUMASS Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #41 #129
Run ExplRExp #117 #14
PPAExp #80 #121
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #55 #136
Stuff RateStuff #21 #136
TackleTak - NR
Rutgers Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatRUTG OffUMASS Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #18 #129
Pass ExplPExl #89 #103
PPAExp #39 #128
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #136
DB HavocDB #110 #136
Program Comparison
RUTG 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

UMASS 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in SHI Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
UMASS's OC Max Warner (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
RJ Johnson III (Tr)17626566%21861648.2
William Watson III (Tr)2450%770019.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Washington (Tr)8634034.024
Justin Williams-Thomas (Tr)3519725.637
RJ Johnson III (Tr)5713932.426
Elijah Faulkner4011402.914
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Randall King (Tr)59689511.777
Devin Matthews (Tr)36649718.059
Jordan Washington (Tr)2220219.260
Max Dowling20199310.077

View Massachusetts's Full Roster

UMASS's DC Jared Keyte (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyler Martin973002
Zeraun Daniel753002
Timmy Hinspeter694222
Kendall Bournes582000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Timmy Hinspeter694222
William Depaepe (Tr)21100
Tyler Martin973002
Kezion Dia-Johnson30000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jahmad Harmon (Tr)242005
Tyler Martin973002
Timmy Hinspeter694222

RUTG's OC Kirk Ciarrocca (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Lonergan (Tr)19028467%20251257.1
AJ Surace4944%58206.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Antwan Raymond2441241135.151
Clay Thevenin (Tr)13163484.850
Ja'shon Benjamin6832824.819
Edd Guerrier72503.69
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
KJ Duff601084718.172
Clay Thevenin (Tr)3326908.230
Kenny Fletcher2623609.139
Antwan Raymond18225212.548

View Rutgers's Full Roster

RUTG's DC Travis Johansen (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Kaj Sanders640001
Abram Wright531012
Rondarius Porter395244
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
J'Dan Burnett (Tr)2810711
Malachi Davis (Tr)3510681
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Rondarius Porter395244
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rondarius Porter395244
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Abram Wright531012