How are the Stallions Gonna React Away from Home in USFL Championship Game
By Charles Jay
It wasn’t expected that the Birmingham Stallions were going to find themselves in the USFL title game. But they are there nonetheless. It was suspected that they might have a bit of a home field advantage, and maybe that had its effect, as they’ve lost only one game on the season.
But as BetOnline customers may or may not know, the Stallions have had to leave home in an effort to capture the first championship in the “new” USFL (United States Football League).
On Sunday night it could happen, as they will square off against the Philadelphia Stars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Game time is 7:30 PM ET and it will be televised by the Fox Network, which actually owns the league.
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USFL Betting — Here are the numbers…..
According to the folks at BetOnline, the Stallions are the favorites coming into this clash:
Birmingham Stallions -4.5
Philadelphia Stars +4.5
Over 45 Points -110
Under 45 Points -110
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USFL Betting — The story with the Stallions
Skip Holtz, hired as head coach of the Stallions, used Alex McGough as his starting quarterback at the season’s outset. But he was injured and was eventually replaced by J’Mar Smith, who was Holtz’s quarterback at Louisiana Tech.
His familiarity with Holtz’s way of doing things paid off, as he was able to move the chains in an attack that was centered around the run. Smith also passed for 1573 yards and ten touchdowns.
This ground game is formidable, and the Stallions had approximately a 50-50 ratio between runs and passes. CJ Marable had 114 yards in a previous meeting with the Stars, and Bo Scarbrough, who went to three national championship games with Nick Saban at Alabama, came at mid-season.
Marlon Williams and Victor Bolden are two of the big guns for Smith to look for, and they have combined for 889 receiving yards.
Placekicker Brandon Aubrey is a weapon, having made 18 of 22 field goals while leading the league in kicking points.
Birmingham got to the title with a decisive 31-17 win over the New Orleans Breakers in the semi-finals.
USFL Betting — The story with the Stars
Philadelphia got off to a slow start and then came on strong, with four wins in their last five regular season games. Then they pulled off an upset over the New Jersey Generals last week, scoring the winning touchdown on an 87-yard punt return by Maurice Alexander.
Special teams was indeed a strength for the Stars, as they finished second in the USFL in punt return average and led everybody in kickoff return yardage. However, they gave up a punt return TD of their own against New Jersey.
Philly also had to make a change at quarterback. Bryan Scott had been coach Brad Andrus’ QB in the Spring League, and knew the offense. But he went down early, with Case Cookus having to take over. Cookus came through, with 1334 passing yards and a dozen TD’s, completing his passes at a 62.5% rate.
The Stars did not emphasize the run as much as Birmingham, but when they ran they were effective, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
On defense, the Stars were a somewhat permissive group, but they made up for it by taking the ball away from the other team. Their +8 turniover ratio was the best in the league.
USFL Betting — Our conclusion
There is something to go on here in terms of history. On May 15, Birmingham won a 30-17 decision. McGough started the game, to be relieved by Smith, who proceeded to complete 17 of 22 passes for 203 yards. As mentioned, Marable passed the century mark on the ground. And the Stallions dominated time of possession, holding onto the ball for 38 minutes.
We like that template they’re using. And there is no reason the Stallions shouldn’t be able move the ball and win the field position battle.
Interestingly, Birmingham’s defense showed a lot of vulnerability at the start of the season; New Jersey had 222 rushing yards against them. But after the season’s first two games, the Stallions didn’t allow any team to reach 20 points.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia held its opponents below 20 points only twice.
The Stars were fortunate to get here. They’d have to be even more fortunate to get past this hurdle. We’ll lay the points.
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