UMass Rejoining the MAC in 2025

Minutemen on the Move

UMass fans, rejoice! The University of Massachusetts is officially making its way back to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2025. This marks a homecoming for the Minutemen, who previously competed in the MAC from 2012 to 2015 after transitioning to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level.

The move comes after a decade of independence for UMass athletics. While the football program struggled during its solo run, the return to the MAC offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides stability and a sense of belonging within a conference structure. Secondly, the MAC presents a more realistic path to post-season play, especially with the recent College Football Playoff expansion allowing access for more conference champions.

The addition of UMass also benefits the MAC by expanding its reach and adding another program to the football landscape. With 13 teams now in the fold, the conference strengthens its position and competitiveness.

While the official competition won't begin until the 2025-26 academic year, UMass fans can already start gearing up for renewed rivalries and exciting new matchups within the MAC. This move signifies a positive step forward for the Minutemen, and it will be interesting to see how they fare in their return to familiar territory.

This Post was written by Google Gemini AI and Edited by Brayden Slater