Massachusetts at Rutgers - 2026 Matchup Preview
Massachusetts logo Massachusetts Minutemen at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsRutgers logo
Thursday, September 3rd 2026 (12:00 PM 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 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: Rutgers -30.5  (SP+ RUTG -38)
Projected Score: UMASS: 14 - RUTG: 44 (58)
RUTG Win prob: 96% | Cover: 54%
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: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Massachusetts's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Massachusetts at Rutgers+30.5

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 9/3 Rutgers vs Massachusetts-30.5
Fri 9/11 Rutgers at Boston College-1
Sat 9/19 Rutgers vs USC+19.5
Sat 9/26 Rutgers vs Howard-22.5
Sat 10/3 Rutgers vs Indiana+27.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Rutgers at Maryland+5.5
Sat 10/24 Rutgers at Northwestern+7
Sat 10/31 Rutgers vs Michigan+14
Sat 11/7 Rutgers at Wisconsin+3
Sat 11/14 Rutgers vs Nebraska+4.5
Sat 11/21 Rutgers at Penn State+18.5
Sat 11/28 Rutgers vs Michigan State-3.5

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 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: -21.88  #135
Massachusetts's Offense Rating: 0.97  #125
Massachusetts's Defense Rating: 27.85  #134
2026 Talent Rating: 458.00  #119
Blue Chip Ratio: 3%  #11
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 524.17
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Massachusetts: -21.88   Rutgers: 1.44

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Massachusetts: -36.6   Rutgers: 1.0




Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: 1.44  #70
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 13.85  #44
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 21.97  #104
2026 Talent Rating: 812.00  #52
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Rutgers's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
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 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


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 44
Massachusetts 14

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

(#135) UMASS at (#70) RUTG
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUMASSRUTG
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #135 #70
SP+SP+ #136 #72
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #119 #52
Blue ChipsBC% #11 #24
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 #125 #104
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 #44 #134
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 Mike Bajakian (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
RJ Johnson III (Tr)17626566%21861648.2
William Watson III (Tr)2450%770019.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Rocko Griffin5324524.643
Jordan Washington (Tr)2723318.668
Justin Williams-Thomas (Tr)3519725.637
RJ Johnson III (Tr)5713932.426
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Max Dowling20199310.077
Kezion Dia-Johnson673112.227
Rocko Griffin106106.118
Justin Williams-Thomas (Tr)341113.730

View Massachusetts's Full Roster

UMASS's DC Jared Keyte (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyler Martin973002
Derrieon Craig781112
Zeraun Daniel753002
Timmy Hinspeter694222
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Timmy Hinspeter694222
William Depaepe (Tr)21100
Derrieon Craig781112
Tyler Martin973002
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jahmad Harmon (Tr)242005
Tyler Martin973002
TJ Magee90002

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 Robb Smith (in his second 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