Stum-Bowling into the Postseason

(The one-year bowl ban imposed on UCF may open the door for UMass to become bowl eligible)

Somehow, through the magic of fuzzy math and misbehaven football programs, UMass could actually play in a bowl game this season.

According to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd, the increased number of bowl bans is forcing the NCAA to make changes to its bowl eligibility rules. This Thursday, the NCAA Board of Directors is going to discuss a number of possibilities, and allowing reclassified teams to play is an option.

Of course, even in a world where the board declares UTSA, South Alabama, Texas State and UMass eligible, those teams have to actually win enough games to make the cut. For the Minutemen, that means winning six or more games against a full slate of FBS opponents without so much as a one-week FCS chaser.

So, while a positive ruling on Thursday would no doubt serve as motivational fodder for Molnar and his staff, the process of getting to six wins will be no easy task for the Maroon and White.