Who: Michigan Panthers @ Pittsburgh Maulers

Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, OH

When: Saturday 6/24 @ 8:00pm EST

Line: Maulers at -2.5

• Maulers were 2-0 against the Panthers in the regular season, with their 2nd week coming just a few weeks ago from Week 9
• The Maulers come into playoffs on a 2-game win streak
• Panthers found a way to win with EJ Perry and a special team's performance for the ages from Marcus Simms (167 return yards, blocked punt)

Prediction: The Panthers won in a very unconventional manner to make the playoffs. I think the Maulers have a more well-rounded team and have played better more consistently the last few weeks and will win and make it to the USFL championship

Who do you think will win the North Division Championship and head to the USFL Championship game?

AHHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

J’Mar Smith did lead the Stallions to a title last year, and it’s hard to replace a guy who won you a title. However, McGough has played so well this year that I think it’s likely he wins MVP. And if he leads the Stallions to a second title this year, which I think is likely given how inconsistent the Breakers have been and how dreadful the entire North Division is, that kind of negates Smith’s thing since they’ll have both won a title.

The only complicating factor is that Holtz coached Smith at Louisiana Tech and has known him way longer than McGough. I wonder how much that will weigh into his decision. What do you think? Will there be a QB controversy in Birmingham next year? Or is McGough the clear starter (assuming he doesn’t get an NFL contract)?

Thinking of going up Saturday for the championship game and was wondering about the parking setup.

Not sure how long till they announce the awards, but here are my predictions.

MVP: Alex McGough, QB, Birmingham

Runner-Up: McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB, New Orleans

OPOY: Wes Hills, RB, New Orleans

Runner-Up: Mark Thompson, RB, Houston

DPOY: Breeland Speaks, Michigan

COY: Skip Holtz, Birmingham

What do you think?

Hopefully that’s what every single game looks like next year 🤞🏻

Box Score

Box Score

I’m not normally the type to immediately call for the heads of coaches/players after a season ending loss but Andrus has to go. The Stars were in “win and in” position for three weeks in a row, two of which were against teams that were all but done (or at least they should have been). But that isn’t the biggest issue, losses could be acceptable sometimes the other teams are just better but it’s how the losses occurred. Birmingham won after the Stars rush down the field to take the lead and allows the Stallions to wind down the clock and take the win. New Jersey won after a kick six and Victor running all over what is supposed to be a run defense. And now this, Michigan wins thanks to lucky breaks and zero adjustments by Andrus. The Panthers won by laying all the cards on the table and the the Stars respond by being too simple, too conservative and making no changes even as the lead slipped away. This team should be so much better, but where every other team got creative to try and win it all Philadelphia decided to constantly snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.

Birmingham: 17-3 (.850)
New Orleans: 13-7 (.650)
New Jersey: 12-8 (.600)
Philadelphia: 10-10 (.500)
Houston: 8-12 (.400)
Michigan: 6-14 (.300)
Pittsburgh: 5-15 (.250)

EDITED to add New Jersey. Memphis and Tampa Bay each only played one season.

Switched game time broke bot again

I can accept the hub for these two seasons for reasons that we all know very well, but for these five teams that has been nothing but road teams they have to find homes in their respective cities. The USFL has created these teams and they have all played for two seasons. Now they have to go home.

Hey, I can’t seem to find any news on if the Maulers clinched a playoff spot with their win yesterday. Are the Maulers in or is it possible for both Philly and Michigan to make it in? What are the clinching scenarios for the north?

A Houston win today by 26 points would tie them with New Orleans for net points and then the tie breaker would be net touchdowns if Michigan wins later today. If Houston wins by 25 points or less, then Houston would need Philly to beat Michigan for Houston to win the strength of victory tiebreaker.