The inaugural season of the United Football League (UFL) kicks off this weekend and eight teams will compete to be the first-ever league champions. After competing with each other a season ago, the XFL and USFL merged to create the UFL and keep spring football alive.
The eight teams will be divided into two four-team conferences: the XFL Conference and the UFL Conference. The four teams in the XFL conference are the Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, San Antonio Brahmas, and St. Louis Battlehawks. The four teams in the USFL conference are the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Roughnecks, Memphis Showboats, and Michigan Panthers. Sportsbooks have recently put out odds on winning the league championship.
1. Birmingham Stallions +300
1. St. Louis Battlehawks +300
3. D.C. Defenders +380
4. Arlington Renegades +550
5. Houston Roughnecks +650
6. Memphis Showboats +800
7. Michigan Panthers +1300
8. San Antonio Brahmas +1400
odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Co-Favorite Birmingham Stallions +300
The defending USFL champion Birmingham Stallions is a co-favorite at +300. Head Coach Skip Holtz has put together a great two seasons for the Stallions putting together a 21-3 record including two USFL championships.
Birmingham will have to replace 2023 USFL MVP Alex McGough who signed with the Green Bay Packers. Former quarterback J’Mar Smith is back from his season-ending injury a year ago and looks to be the new starter. Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Corral will look to compete for some time as well.
It’s hard not to expect the Stallions to be contenders as long as Skip Holtz is roaming the sideline.
Co-Favorite St. Louis Battlehawks +300
The Saint Louis Battlehawks are also a co-favorite with the Birmingham Stallions at +300. Led by Head Coach Anthony Becht, the Battlehawks will be hungry to go on a playoff run this season. Due to the playoff format, the XFL had in place last year, the Battlehawks missed the playoffs despite a 7-3 record.
The Battlehawks return quarterback A.J. McCarron who was elite for them last season. In 2023, McCarron posted 2150 yards and had a touchdown to interception ratio of 24 to 6. The veteran will also be the most experienced starting quarterback in the league. McCarron asked to be released by the Cincinnati Bengals so that he could rejoin the Battlehawks for the 2024 season. McCarron’s main motivation is to give his sons the ability to watch him play football before his career comes to an end.
“My 6-year-old loves watching tape of me on YouTube. That’s a big reason I chose to return this way… I probably could’ve tried to come back with an NFL team and had a chance to probably made bigger money, but no one knows what the future holds. I’m enjoying this, and it’s a great way to create some memories for me and my boys.”
Saint Louis had a great home-field advantage last year as the city has been hungry for football ever since the Rams left in 2016. Saint Louis will also be the host city for the UFL championship in 2024. The Battlehawks will have a great opportunity to capitalize off of being the host site and gain an extra advantage.
My Pick: I will be riding with the Battlehawks at +300 to win the first-ever UFL championship. Hungry dogs run faster, and the Battlehawks will be motivated to bounce back from missing the playoffs a season ago.
For More of My Content
Follow me on X @coderedpicks. You can also reach out to me personally via email at codypestino@gmail.com. To join our Facebook group and keep up to date, click here! For more on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!
