UFL Week 9 Odds & Picks: Panthers vs. Stallions (Saturday)
The Stallions have won three straight spring championships, securing back-to-back USFL championships before snagging the UFL’s inaugural championship. The Panthers reached the playoffs the previous two years and, like the Stallions, have already punched their ticket for the playoffs this season. They’re on a crash course for another meeting in the playoffs this year. However, there isn’t much left to sort out. While the USFL regular season title is up for grabs, and a Michigan win would secure that for themselves, Birmingham will host the USFL Division playoff game, even if they finish behind the Panthers. Navigating the final two weeks of the regular season will be tricky, but one bet is the most appealing for this contest. Here is our top UFL picks for Week 9’s game between the Panthers and Stallions.
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UFL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Week 9 (Saturday)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Birmingham Stallions vs. Michigan Panthers UFL Picks & Predictions
The Stallions have had Michigan’s number. Since last year, Birmingham has victories of 21-12 in Week 2 this year and 20-13, 20-19 and 31-18 in Week 2, Week 10 and the playoffs last year, respectively. I initially wanted to pick the Stallions -3 as my favorite bet. However, another bet is the apple of my eye.
The Stallions have scored 90 points at home this year, averaging 22.5 points per game with a median of 23. Birmingham has lit up the scoreboard lately, too. They’ve scored 26, 33 and 28 points in the previous three weeks. They’ve scored at least 20 points in five straight games and six of their last seven.
However, the Stallions haven’t done a great job keeping their opponents off the scoreboard. In their previous four games, they’ve allowed 29, 25, three and 24 points. The lowly Brahmas were responsible for the three points in that four-game sequence, and even the lousy Showboats and unimpressive Roughnecks scored 24 and 25 points. Last week, the Battlehawks lit up the Stallions for 29 points. Birmingham will have their hands full this week.
The Panthers have a UFL-high 211 points this year. Unfortunately, Bryce Perkins is ruled out for Week 8, and Danny Etling will start. Nevertheless, Michigan hung 30 points on Houston last week, with Etling starting.
While Michigan’s offense can light up the scoreboard, its defense isn’t great at keeping the points off the board. They’re middle of the pack, allowing the fifth-most points (153) in the UFL this season. After a sluggish start to the year, with game totals of 38 and 33 points in the first two weeks, their games have erupted for 49, 36, 59, 52, 49 and 48 points. They were unfazed outdoors on the road the previous two weeks, with their games producing 49 and 48 points in Arlington and Houston, respectively.
Circling back to Birmingham, their offense has thrived since J’mar Smith stopped their quarterback carousel. He hasn’t been flawless, but he’s produced big plays. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), among 18 quarterbacks with at least 20 dropbacks this year, Smith is their fourth-graded passer, first in yards per attempt (10.2) and first in big-time throw rate (8.3 BTT%).
The Stallions and Panthers have no incentive to empty the playbook this week since they’re meeting again in Birmingham for the playoffs on June 8. Nevertheless, the offenses have been the A-side for the Stallions and Panthers, and points have been plentiful in their contests. Thus, I’m taking the over for 44.5 points.
Pick: Over 44.5 Total Points (-105)
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.