Pregame blog: UMass

Josh Conklin’s take on Army-UMass

The Black Knights return home to host the UMass Minutemen looking to snap a 5 game losing streak. After losing to Air Force last week 17-13, Army will face off against a 1-8 UMass team that has allowed a NCAA worst 52 points per game.

During their five-game losing streak Army has lost every game by less than 10 points that included two losses at home after they won 15 straight at Michigan Stadium. The Minutemen have a 4 game losing streak of their own in which they’ve allowed over at least 200 yards rushing in each game.

Look for the Black Knights, who passed for 214 yards and a touchdown last week, to get back to its roots and lean heavily on the ground game.

On the defensive side senior captain Elijah Riley will look to limit the explosive plays and get after a Massachusetts offense that has thrown 12 interceptions and allowed 22 sacks. This is Army’s bounce back game against a Massachusetts team that has trouble stopping offenses all season. The only question isn’t whether or not they’ll win, it should be by how much.

Prediction: Army 49, Massachusetts 21

We are hearing that starting linebacker and captain Cole Christiansen is out today.