COACH: Charley Molnar: At UMass and overall: 1st year
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Kruczek
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Phil Elmassian
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2007, Colonial co-champions
LAST BOWL: (2007, FCS playoffs)
RETURNING STARTERS: 18; 6 offense, 10 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Kellen Pagel, TE Rob Blanchflower, WR Marken Michel, C Quinton Sales, LB Perry McIntyre, FS Darren Thellen
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: The offensive line is big, experienced and fairly deep. The tight end position could be the most productive of the skill positions, with Blanchflower and Brandon Howard. The defensive secondary is strong with safeties Christian Birt and Thellen. Molnar put together a veteran group of assistants.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: The move up means a lot of FCS talent playing in FBS. UMass has a new coaching staff, new offensive system and few returning skill position players. There is a new defense and new coordinator for the third time in three years. The kicking game needs to take a huge step forward.