Week 8 of the USFL season is in the books. The status quo held firm for the most part, with the league's elite teams coming out on top.
That said, the Birmingham Stallions had their biggest test of the season, needing a late field goal to ensure they remained perfect and moved to 8-0. Meanwhile, the Generals and Stars made quick work of the Maulers and Panthers as they fell to 1-7 and are completely out of the playoff picture. In the weekend finale, the Bandits dropping 13 points in the second quarter was enough to fend off the Gamblers.
With just two weeks left in the USFL's regular season, every team is still in playoff contention. And one thing is clear -- at least one deserving team from the South Division will miss the postseason.
In Week 8, when the four South teams were matched up with North opponents, all four from the South prevailed, setting up an odd situation where the worst team in the South had a better record than the best in the North. With the top two teams in each division making the playoffs, here's how the standings look with just eight games still to be played in the regular season.
Let's start with the North Division. The good news for the Philadelphia Stars, who reached the USFL title game last year, is that they're in first place. The bad news? They're only .500 after losing to the Birmingham Stallions and have allowed 31 more points this season than they've scored. In fact, every team in the East owns a minus-point differential. The Michigan Panthers are in the playoff picture, sitting in second place in the North despite a 3-5 record.
The Stars finish the season with games against the Generals and Panthers, so Philly controls its fate. Every team in the USFL faces only divisional opponents in what should be a wild final two weeks of the regular season. Everything is still up for grabs.
In the South Division, where all four teams are 5-3 or better, the defending champion Birmingham Stallions boast the league's best record at 6-2, but a stumble in the final two weeks against a pair of strong divisional opponents (Gamblers, Showboats) could still leave them home for the playoffs. Those Gamblers and Showboats, along with the Breakers -- who finally got back in the win column after a three-game slide -- are knotted at 5-3, with games remaining only within the division.
Now, let’s take a look at the Week 9 Best Bets!
Bet USFL Week 9 Picks at BookMaker.eu
Saturday, June 10
Michigan Panthers -2, OU 41 at Pittsburgh Maulers
On Saturday, June 10, 2023, the Michigan Panthers will face the Pittsburgh Maulers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Kickoff time is set for 12 p.m. ET with television coverage on FOX.
Last week the Houston Gamblers beat the Pittsburgh Maulers by a score of 20-19 as 2.5-point favorites. The game went under the total of 43.5. As a result, Pittsburgh has a record of 2-6, good for 4th place in the USFL North Division. Pittsburgh has USFL metrics of 8th for offensive yardage, 4th for rushing yardage, 8th for passing yardage, and 8th for scoring offense. On defense, Houston ranks 1st for total yards allowed, 1st for rushing yards allowed, 2nd for passing yards allowed, and 4th for points permitted.
Last week the New Orleans Breakers beat the Michigan Panthers by a score of 24-20 as 3.5-point favorites. The game went over the total of 42.5. As a result, Michigan has a record of 3-5, good for 2nd place in the USFL North Division. Michigan has USFL metrics of 6th for offensive yardage, 6th for rushing yardage, 4th for passing yardage, and 7th for scoring offense. On defense, Michigan ranks 4th for total yards allowed, 6th for rushing yards allowed, 4th for passing yards allowed, and 6th for points permitted.
Bookmaker Best Bet: Michigan Panthers
New Orleans Breakers PK, OU 43.5 at Memphis Showboats
On Saturday, June 10, 2023, the New Orleans Breakers will face the Memphis Showboats at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Kickoff time is set for 3 p.m. ET with television coverage on NBC.
Last week the Memphis Showboats beat the New Jersey Generals by a score of 25-16 as 2.5-point dogs. The game went under the total of 41.5. As a result, Memphis has a record of 5-3, good for 2nd place in the USFL South Division. Memphis has USFL metrics of 7th for offensive yardage, 7th for rushing yardage, 6th for passing yardage, and 4th for scoring offense. On defense, Memphis ranks 6th for total yards allowed, 5th for rushing yards allowed, 6th for passing yards allowed, and 2nd for points permitted.
Last week the New Orleans Breakers beat the Michigan Panthers by a score of 24-20 as 3.5-point favorites. The game went over the total of 42.5. As a result, New Orleans has a record of 5-3, good for 2nd place in the USFL South Division. New Orleans has USFL metrics of 1st for offensive yardage, 5th for rushing yardage, 1st for passing yardage, and 3rd for scoring offense. On defense New Orleans ranks 2nd for total yards allowed, 3rd for rushing yards allowed, 3rd for passing yards allowed, and 5th for points permitted.
Bookmaker Best Bet: Memphis Showboats
Sunday, June 11
Birmingham Stallions -3.5, OU 45.5 at Houston Gamblers
On Sunday, June 11, 2023, the Birmingham Stallions will face the Houston Gamblers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Kickoff time is set for 2 p.m. ET with television coverage on NBC.
Last week the Houston Gamblers beat the Pittsburgh Maulers by a score of 20-19 as 2.5-point favorites. The game went under the total of 43.5. As a result, Houston has a record of 5-3, good for 2nd place in the USFL South Division. Houston has USFL metrics of 3rd for offensive yardage, 3rd for rushing yardage, 5th for passing yardage, and 2nd for scoring offense. On defense, Houston ranks 5th for total yards allowed, 3rd for rushing yards allowed, 7th for passing yards allowed, and 7th for points permitted.
Last week the Birmingham Stallions beat the Philadelphia Stars by a score of 27-24 as 7-point favorites. The game went over the total of 45.5. As a result, Birmingham has a record of 6-2, good for 1st place in the USFL South Division. Birmingham has USFL metrics of 2nd for offensive yardage, 2nd for rushing yardage, 2nd for passing yardage, and 1st for scoring offense. On defense, Birmingham ranks 8th for total yards allowed, 7th for rushing yards allowed, 8th for passing yards allowed, and 3rd for points permitted.
Bookmaker Best Bet: Birmingham Stallions
Philadelphia Stars -2.5, OU 44 at New Jersey Generals
On Sunday, June 11, 2023, the New Jersey Generals will face the Philadelphia Stars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Kickoff time is set for 7 p.m. ET with television coverage on FOX.
Last week the Memphis Showboats beat the New Jersey Generals by a score of 25-16 as 2.5-point dogs. The game went under the total of 41.5. As a result, New Jersey has a record of 2-6, good for 3rd place in the USFL North Division. New Jersey has USFL metrics of 4th for offensive yardage, 1st for rushing yardage,7th for passing yardage, and 6th for scoring offense. On defense New Jersey ranks 3rd for total yards allowed, 4th for rushing yards allowed, 1st for passing yards allowed, and 1st for points permitted.
Last week the Birmingham Stallions beat the Philadelphia Stars by a score of 27-24 as 7-point favorites. The game went over the total of 45.5. As a result, Philadelphia has a record of 4-4, good for 1st place in the USFL North Division. Philadelphia has USFL metrics of 5th for offensive yardage, 8th for rushing yardage, 3rd for passing yardage, and 4th for scoring offense. On defense, Philadelphia ranks 7th for total yards allowed, 8th for rushing yards allowed, 5th for passing yards allowed, and 8th for points permitted.
Bookmaker Best Bet: New Jersey Generals
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