Start Time: 3:30 p.m. EST, Oct. 21

Location: Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, Mass.

Records: Georgia Southern (0-5), UMass (0-6)

Weather: 75 degrees at kickoff, 6 mph winds

Betting Line: UMass -7

Georgia Southern Outlook

I think at this point in the season, saying Georgia Southern is the worst football team in FBS is not too much of a stretch.

When the Eagles aren’t cobbling together short, terrible drives on offense and failing to move the ball at all, GS has been happy to surrender big plays on the back end after just deciding not to cover receivers or simply giving opposing quarterbacks too much time in the pocket.

Not that I have to tell even the most casual of football fans, but giving up quick, easy scores while you have a slow plodding offense? Actually bad.

But hey! At least Southern didn’t lose by 10+ points for the first time all season last week in its 35-27 loss to New Mexico State. So there’s that.

I’d love to hear from anyone in the athletic department or anyone in a position of importance on what has actually transpired this year. Not just another canned interview with athletic director Tom Kleinlein where he answers softball questions from an underling and tells everyone they’re delusional for not wanting to go 0-12 this season.

It’s gotten so bad that a very small contingent of students have taken to protesting Kleinlein and head coach Tyson Summers at the quad every Monday until we win.

This is a program that won a bowl game with an interim head coach just two years ago.

Bravo TK and TS, you did it.

Now get the hell away from the football team.

UMass Outlook

While the Minutemen haven’t been able to squeeze out a win yet this season, it’s been the defense that has been the achilles’ heel, not its offense.

UMass is averaging 25 points per game behind a pretty solid passing attack, with quarterback Andrew Ford throwing for 12 touchdowns to just two picks so far this season.

Not a great recipe for a Southern team that has struggled to defend the pass for years and has looked worse than ever this season.

Ford averages 300 yards passing per game, and look for that success to continue or even exceed his average against a porous Southern secondary.

Hell, would any of us be surprised if the Eagles gave up 500 yards passing in this one?

Leading the pass catchers for UMass is tight end Adam Breneman, who has 36 grabs for 500 yards and two scores this season.

The Minutemen don’t run the ball very much, but Southern has escorted opposing rushers to the end zone this season, so don’t be surprised if running back Marquis Young puts up numbers not seen from him all year.

While effective offenses like Ohio and Coastal Carolina have taken advantage of the Minutemen’s poor defense, I wouldn’t be surprised if Southern throws up another 10 spot on the board and gets trounced in this one.

Prediction

Take the points.

UMass 38, Georgia Southern 17.