The UMass Minutemen will travel to Buffalo to take on the Bulls in a crucial Mid-American Conference (MAC) showdown on September 14, 2024. Both teams are looking to make a statement early in the season. The Buffalo Bulls, led by head coach Pete Lembo, have had a mixed start to their 2024 campaign. After a solid win in their opener, Buffalo faced a tough test against Missouri, where they struggled to keep up offensively. Quarterback Cole Snyder has been the focal point of Buffalo’s offense, throwing for 2,109 yards last season, and is expected to lead a balanced attack against a UMass defense that has been vulnerable against both the run and the pass.

UMass, under head coach Don Brown, has shown some signs of improvement but still faces challenges on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh has been a bright spot, providing both passing and rushing capabilities, but the Minutemen have yet to find consistency on offense. Their defense, which allowed nearly 38 points per game last season, must step up to limit Buffalo’s offense. For UMass to have a chance, they will need to create turnovers and control the clock with a more disciplined approach. The key to this game will likely be Buffalo’s ability to establish their running game against a shaky UMass front seven. If the Bulls can control the tempo and avoid mistakes, they should be able to cover the spread and secure a win at home. UMass, on the other hand, will need to play a nearly flawless game and capitalize on any opportunities that come their way.