College Football: 5 schools at risk of going winless in 2019

4. UMass Minutemen

First year head coach Walt Bell inherits a UMass team coming off a 4-8 season a year ago. With several key departures, this season’s team could take a step back.

Bell has a good offensive mind and is a rising star in the ranks of FBS coaches. He is coming off stints as offensive coordinator at Arkansas State, Maryland and Florida State. However his first year as a FBS coach will be challenging.

UMass’ best offensive player, wide receiver Andy Isabella, is off to the NFL. It will be tough to replace his production of nearly 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns from a year ago. Also the two top quarterbacks are gone and the Minutemen are very thin at running back. Things are not much better on the defensive side of the ball. Last season saw the Minutemen defense relinquish 489 yards and 43 points per game.

The good news for Bell and his staff is they will have no pressure to win right away. Outside of Southern Illinois, hard to see the Minutemen winning many games. Rutgers, UConn, Coastal Carolina and Liberty are all toss-ups. UMass could finish with as many as five games, but if they lose to Southern Illinois early in the season, a winless season is most certainly possible.