It’s Championship-or-Bust for UFL’s Stallions

Birmingham Carries Shortest 2024 UFL Playoff Odds

The inaugural UFL playoffs kick off this weekend, with the Birmingham Stallions hosting the Michigan Panthers and the San Antonio Brahmas visiting the St. Louis Battlehawks. Both are rematches from Week 10.

The winners will meet in the championship game on June 16 (5 p.m. ET, FOX).

Birmingham has spent all season as the title favorite, but there’s not much separating it from the other three semifinalists.

What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down the 2024 UFL playoff odds.

Matchups at a Glance

USFL Conference Championship

  • Matchup Odds: Panthers (-5, O/U 43) vs Stallions
  • Date/Time: Saturday, June 8, 3 p.m. ET
  • Location: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL
  • How to Watch: ABC

XFL Conference Championship

  • Matchup Odds: Brahmas vs Battlehawks (-3, O/U 44.5)
  • Date/Time: Sunday, June 9, 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, MO
  • How to Watch: FOX

THE FAVORITE

Birmingham Stallions (-115)

The Stallions been the clear favorite since the preseason, and outside of possibly St. Louis, there may not be anyone who can beat them. They are 9-1 and rank first in total offense (347.5 yards per game) and second in total defense (259.5 yards allowed per game). Six of their wins have come by at least seven points and four by double digits.

Their 2024 UFL playoff odds have climbed from +300 to -115, the only team with better than plus money.

The Stallions, who won USFL titles in 2022 and 2023, have a big-time playmaker at quarterback in Adrian Martinez. The former Nebraska and Kansas State star has thrown for 1,749 yards and rushed for a league-high 528, averaging 9.8 yards per carry. He made the inaugural All-UFL team and is a frontrunner for MVP.

Given where they started and how they’ve ended up, anything short of a championship would be a bitter disappointment for Skip Holtz’s team. It’s title or bust.

TOP CONTENDER

St. Louis Battlehawks (+255)

Martinez may be the UFL’s best all-around player, but AJ McCarron is its most productive. A former three-time BCS national champion at Alabama, McCarron has thrown for 1,582 yards and 15 touchdowns despite missing two games with an ankle injury.

McCarron struggled in his return last week, managing just 115 yards on 10 of 24 passing in a 13-12 win over San Antonio.

Under the tutelage of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht, the Battlehawks (7-3) are second in the UFL in scoring (26.0 PPG) and third in total defense (259.8 yards allowed per game). They’ve surpassed 25 points six times and scored 30-plus on three occasions, according to UFL game stats.

Outside of Birmingham, nobody stands a better chance to win the title. Their championship odds have climbed from +350 to +255.

NEXT IN LINE

Michigan Panthers (+600)

Michigan went 7-3 and nearly beat Birmingham last week, losing 20-19 when Jeremy Bates missed a 53-yard field goal as time expired.

The Panthers, coached by longtime NFL defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, rank top-four in both total offense (300.7 yards per game) and total defense (263.1 yards allowed per game).

Bates has been a weapon, his Week 10 miss notwithstanding. He is 17 of 22 on field goals, including a league-best 64-yard make in Week 1 against St. Louis.

Michigan won five of its last six regular-season games, during which it averaged 25.6 points.

After opening at +1300 on the 2024 UFL playoff odds board, Michigan’s climbed to +600 to win it all.

San Antonio Brahmas (+650)

The UFL’s best underdog story, San Antonio began the season with the longest championship odds (+1400) of any UFL football team. It responded with a 4-1 start and concluded the regular season 7-3, allowing a league-low 256.7 yards and 15.3 points per game. The Brahmas lost 13-12 to St. Louis last week.

Longtime NFL defensive coordinator/head coach Wade Phillips, who last season guided the XFL’s Roughnecks to a division championship, has his imprint all over the team.

San Antonio’s quarterback play has been inconsistent, but it has a productive running back in John Lovett. Lovett, who was in training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers last summer, is fourth in the UFL with 422 rushing yards. He ran for a league-record 153 yards in a Week 6 loss to D.C.

For UFL box scores, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine


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