Whew! Glad to get out of Villanova!

When I looked at the 2006 schedule back last spring I knew the Villanova game had bad Ju-Ju written all over it. Vince DiGregorio of the Springfield Republican has an article here.

First of all, the trio of games UMass opened its season were all tough games.

• Navy is undefeated and only three wins from being bowl eligible.
• Colgate is still my pick to be Patriot league champion.
• And Villanova is in a class of its own for bad karma.

The UMass-Villanova all-time record is (after Saturday) tied 11-11. Of those 22 games only five have been won by the visiting team. Andy Talley has never won in Amherst. Prior to the current UMass three game win streak, the Minutemen had lost 9 out of ten at Villanova Stadium.

Then there is the "I-A hangover". I-AA teams make a heroic effort against a I-A team and then play flat against their regular competition. Take a look at Montana State. They beat Colorado in one of the greatest wins ever by a I-AA team. Then lost their next two game against a DII team and a 0-45 rout at home. Willian & Mary played a tough game against Maryland, then lost a A10 game to Maine.

The win against the Wildcats should put UMass into the by week at 3-1. That a whole lot better than starting off the A10 slate with a loss.

UPDATE: Matty Vautour of the Hampshire Gazette in his UMass Sports Blog also discusses UMass' schedule so far. Right now, it looks like the November 4th game against UNH is going to be one of the best in the nation...