The news of UMass joining the MAC stands as a massive day for fans of UMass, the MAC, and comedy. Everyone knows about the legendary CUM Bowl between UConn and UMass, but now, we’re being gifted something bigger than the CUM Bowl. We’re getting the annual CUMass game between UMass and Central Michigan.

Some of you are probably asking “But Andrew, couldn’t UConn playing UMass just be the CUMass bowl?” No. No it cannot. The reason the CUM Bowl is the CUM Bowl is due to the Wikipedia page explaining the rivalry between the two northeast slouch programs of the past few seasons.

The Wikipedia page has since been changed by someone who clearly hates fun. But everyone knows that when UConn and UMass face-off at the end of each football season, it’s the CUM Bowl, which is a phrase you shouldn’t Google without adding in football or one of the universities. It’s a mistake I’ve made and has left me scarred. It’s still unclear if the rivalry will continue with UMass joining the MAC, which is unfortunate. All we can do now is hope and pray.

Two days ago, it was announced by The Associated Press that UMass would make the move to the MAC. This move is set to happen for the 2025-2026 athletic seasons. For the Minutemen football team, this is a familiar move. They were members of the MAC from 2012 to 2015 and became Independents following the 2015 season. In their four seasons in the MAC under Charley Molnar and Mark Whipple, UMass went 8-40.

Despite departing from the MAC, they continued to play a schedule with a mix of MAC teams. Last season in Don Brown’s second season back with the program, they played Miami Ohio, Eastern Michigan, and Toledo.

UMass’ return to the MAC does limit them a bit when it comes to cashing in on big pay days to play teams like Penn State, Auburn, Texas A&M, and Tennessee regularly, but they will have a better chance to succeed. With a 3-9 record in 2023, it marked the best season in UMass football since 2018. With Don Brown back and now having a more winnable schedule, we could see a program turnaround quicker than expected. When Brown was the head coach between 2004 and 2008, he held a record of 43-19. His experience, recruiting, and the fact he’s brought back coaches like Jim Reid is massive for the Minutemen.

As a fan of football in the northeast, I’d love to see UMass return to prominence. But what I care more about is the fact that we could get both the CUM Bowl and CUMass game in the same season. It’s rare to have one game a year with a humorous name. Now you’re telling me we might get two? This is what dreams are made of.