On Saturday night, history will be made. The first game ever for the new United States Football League will be at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama when the Birmingham Stallions host the New Jersey Generals. On Sunday, the rest of the league will play with the Houston Gamblers at Michigan Panthers, Philadelphia Stars at New Orleans Breakers, And Tampa Bay Bandits at Pittsburgh Maulers. The new United States Football League is adopting the identity of the first USFL that ran three seasons from 1983 through 1985. That first iteration of the USFL proved that spring football could work. However, it also proved that large NFL-level contracts with a small TV contract aren’t a money-making formula. The new USFL, backed by FOX Sports, promises to keep expenses in line. If it does, it might break through as sustainable.
Week 1 USFL Matchups
All games to be played in Birmingham, Alabama (ET)
Saturday, April 16, 2022
New Jersey Generals at Birmingham Stallions – 7:30 p.m. – NBC/FOX
The Stallions opened as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 49.5. Birmingham opened as a -182 moneyline chalk with New Jersey at +140.
The first iteration of the New Jersey Generals was best known for running back Herschel Walker, quarterbacks Brian Sipe and Doug Flutie, and, of course, owner Donald Trump. At the beginning of its second season, Trump bought the team and produced a first-class operation that made the playoffs in its final two seasons. The 1985 Generals had a serious shot at the title before Flutie was lost to a shoulder injury late in the regular season.
Trump is often blamed for the end of the first USFL because he demanded that the league move from the spring to the fall. But a deeper dive reveals that the USFL was overspending on NFL-level talent without an NFL-level TV contract. Red ink was the real issue for the original USFL’s demise.
Birmingham was a strong USFL franchise in its own right. The Stallions had good fan support, and it makes sense that the new USFL will be the home base of the entire league.
Birmingham was selected to host the entire league in its first season to control expenses and if there was a spike in the pandemic or related health and safety concerns.
Next year the USFL is expected to have its teams play in their home cities.
Sunday, April 17, 2022
Houston Gamblers at Michigan Panthers - 12:00 p.m. – NBC
Michigan opened as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 47.5. On the money line, the Panthers opened at -167, with the Gamblers at +130.
Philadelphia Stars at New Orleans Breakers – 4 p.m. – USA Network
Philadelphia opened as a -2.5-point favorite with a total of 46.5. On the moneyline, the Stars opened at -149, with the Breakers at +115.
Tampa Bay Bandits at Pittsburgh Maulers – 8 p.m. – FS1
The Bandits opened as a -2.5-point favorite with a total of 48.5. Tampa Bay is a -149 moneyline favorite, with Pittsburgh at +115.
Odds Analysis
This is one of the most challenging weekends in sports gambling history. That is because of the ultimate unknowns. All of the teams are brand new. Many of the players are unknown. And it all adds up to a lot of guesswork from oddsmakers and handicappers.
Which team(s) really have a roster advantage, and which ones are weak? Oddsmakers have had a massive challenge in going over the rosters and assessing how the betting public will rate the teams. There is no real public favorite to speak of.
As a result of the element of the unknown, live in-game betting activity is expected to be exceptionally high.
New Jersey at Birmingham Bookmaker USFL Free Picks
On Saturday night, the public will bet the home favorite, as usual. New Jersey could bring strong value as a road dog on a night when everyone is flying blind.
BookMaker Best Bet: New Jersey Generals
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