Getty Chris Ash and Rutgers open the 2019 football season against UMass on Friday night.
With both teams coming off disappointing 2018 seasons, the UMass Minutemen and Rutgers Scarlet Knights are looking to turn the page and get a fresh start when they meet Friday night in Piscataway.
The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on Big Ten Network. If you don’t have cable or don’t have that channel, you can watch a live stream of the game on your computer, phone, Roku, Fire TV Stick or other streaming device via one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
FuboTV
Big Ten Network is one of the 100-plus live TV channels included in the main FuboTV bundle, which is largely tailored towards sports. And in case the game gets moved to the Big Ten Network alternate channels, those are also included with FuboTV.
You can start a free seven-day trial of FuboTV right here, and you can then watch a live stream of UMass vs Rutgers on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, or other supported device via the FuboTV app.
If you can’t watch live, FuboTV comes with 30 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as a 72-hour look-back feature, which will allow you to watch the game on-demand within three days of its conclusion, even if you don’t record it.
Hulu With Live TV
Hulu With Live TV comes with Hulu’s extensive on-demand library of TV shows and movies and 60-plus live TV channels, including Big Ten Network.
You can sign up for Hulu with Live TV right here, and you can then watch a live stream of UMass vs Rutgers on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Echo Show, or other streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch live, Hulu With Live TV comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as the option to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of space and the ability to fast-forward through commercials.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV comes with 70-plus live TV channels, including Big Ten Network.
You can sign up for YouTube TV right here, and you can then watch a live stream of UMass vs Rutgers on your computer via the YouTube website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or other compatible streaming device via the YouTube app.
If you can’t watch live, YouTube TV comes with included DVR.
UMass vs Rutgers Preview
Despite only winning four games last season, things don’t look too promising for UMass in 2019. Losing one of the best receivers in program history along with their quarterback depth and leading rusher, the high-powered Minutemen offense is going to have an entirely different look this season. While the passing attack should likely still be able to move the football occasionally, the run game offers the biggest question marks – especially considering a number of departures from an already thin offensive line.
On the defensive side of the ball, UMass is also losing six starters – something that doesn’t seem to bode all too well for a unit looking to improve off a lackluster 2018. The defense should improve with time as the Minutemen have some quality young players but it will almost certainly take some time for the unit as a whole to come together. Thankfully, against Rutgers, they should likely avoid being thrown into the fire in week one.
As tough as the outlook might be for UMass, Rutgers seems to be in a considerably worse state. After losing a number of players stemming from a string of arrests, the Scarlet Knights limped to a 1-11 finish in 2018. Sophomore quarterback Artur Sitkowski is coming off one of the worst collegiate seasons in recent memory as he wasn’t provided with any help as a freshman and led the nation in interceptions – while completing fewer than half his passes. Though the rest of the offense needs to improve as well, Sitkowski’s ability to improve his play and cut down on his turnovers will go a long ways towards helping to get the Scarlet Knights back on the right track.
Defensively, things look a bit better for Rutgers. They return some quality talent and bring in a new defensive coordinator to help try and turn things around. While they won’t be a standout unit by any means, they have the pieces in place to at least create some stops and should keep most of their games within relative striking distance.
The showdown between two teams in turmoil could help set the tone for the season on both sides. A win for either team would be a big start to the season and provide considerable confidence to an extremely young team whereas a loss could set the table for another dismal losing campaign. Expect a low-scoring sloppy affair that should be close wire to wire.