UConn to play UMass at Gillette in 2016

This story broke today on the web from various sources. Although there will be detractors, I think there is a lot to like about this game from the UConn perspective. We can scream about it not being BC and who cares about UMass, but this game happening is a good thing, and here’s why.

1.) Natural Rivalry

Before we hear how nobody outside of New England will care about this game, let me start by saying that I agree with that. Nobody outside of New England will care. The teams haven’t been any good the past few years, and there’s really no reason for a casual fan to watch this game. However, that shouldn’t be the driving force. Who cares if the game wouldn’t draw an audience across the country. We should be trying to draw an audience in New England. With our states bordering, and both programs still in the beginning of our D1 plight, why not play this game on a yearly basis. I am in the camp that this game should happen every year. Plus with conference realignment, UConn lost any natural rivals it had within the conference. Fans potentially will get into this game more than a Cincinnati or SMU game because living in New England, there’s a better chance you work with, meet, live next to, or hang out with UMass grads and/or fans. Could lead to some friendly (and some not-so-friendly) back & forth between the fanbases. Maybe if both teams become good on a yearly basis, the game means more & more each year. I’m not suggesting all of this will happen because of this one game, but if it’s a success, it may be the start of something great for New England football.

2.) It’s a school not named Buffalo or directional Michigan

You’re all tired of the directional schools and UB as much as I am. This is a breath of fresh air to not see them fill this spot on the schedule with one of them. Plus it’s a road game at an NFL stadium within driving distance for most fans as opposed to a flight to some no-name town.  You’re crazy if you’d rather play one of them. Crazy.

3.) Easy road game to get to

This has the potential to be an additional home game for UConn. I believe we will travel well to this game. The Army game this year will be a tougher ticket, and UConn fans are getting their hands on those, so there’s no need to get all up in arms about ticket allotments for this game. If the UConn fan wants to go to this game, there will be tickets available all over the stadium. That’d be best case scenario, right? Have Gillette 80% full of UConn fans? Count me in for 4 tix now.

4.) We need to fill our OOC schedule

We have so many openings on our future OOC schedules, we need to fill them with somebody. Why not UMass for one of these spots?  If you’re telling me we should hold out for Alabama or USC to come calling, I think we’ll be waiting on that for a LONG time.  If teams like that want to play us, we have plenty of room on the schedules in the upcoming years.  UMass will not get in the way of us being able to schedule something with a bigtime program.

Overall

I like this move. I like the move even more if the rumors of a return game at Rentschler Field come true. I do wish it was BC, but as fans we shouldn’t be so short sided. This game is a great thing for football in the northeast. It’s a start. Potentially, the start of something really good.

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