Boston College at UMass: 5 Big Questions
By Joe Micik
Aug 31, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebackers Brendan Kelly (97) and Derek Landisch (30) force a fumble during the first quarter against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 45-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Boston College at UMass: 5 Big Questions
4.) Has Mark Whipple revitalized the UMass offense into a competitive unit?
If we are going to be fair, it must be pointed out that Whipple did have success at UMass before as an offensive-minded head coach, though at a lower level, and he has had some success elsewhere, both in college and the NFL.
If Jacory Harris hadn’t thrown an interception on every other play, Whipple might have done some even better things with Miami, and he was sought after as a quarterbacks coach at the next level.
Here’s his problem: the Minutemen are short on talent on both sides of the ball, not just offense. When people say that of Boston College, that is relative to the rest of the ACC. Meanwhile, UMass will have trouble winning two games in the MAC.
Ask Steve Addazio: it is possible to get more out of less, though some would argue that Boston College under Frank Spaziani was an “okay” team that was badly underachieving. Addazio merely restored the Eagles to their full potential. The Minutemen aren’t underachieving: they’ve only been in FBS for a couple years and do not yet have the roster to compete.
Whipple might have his offense playing better, and it would be hard not to considering they only averaged about 11 points per game last year, but they are not going to make a big transformation.