The USFL Championship is here! Last year there were many questions about if the new spring league would make it through a full year after several others had failed. Now, the league enters its second Championship in as many years. The Sports Gambling Podcast Network has covered the USFL all year, and now we have our 2023 USFL Championship preview, with USFL Championship best bets.
After the Maulers went toe-to-toe with the Panthers and secured their spot in the Championship in an overtime thriller, the Stallions never let up against the Breakers. These teams had very different seasons, but none of that matters now. Each team is 0-0 and just one win away from a championship. Will the Maulers go from the worst team in the USFL to the best? Or will the Stallions become back-to-back champions?
2023 USFL Championship Preview and USFL Championship Best Bets
Why The Maulers Could Win
Last year, the Pittsburgh Maulers seemed to be the laughingstock of the entire USFL. After multiple questionable decisions from the coaching staff, they began new this year with new coaches. Now they find themselves in our 2023 USFL Championship preview and one win away from going from the worst team to the champion.
However, how can this Maulers team that went 4-6 in the regular season possibly beat the Birmingham Stallions? Just ask the DC Defenders of the XFL after they were beaten by the 4-6 Arlington Renegades in this year’s XFL Championship.
The Maulers aren’t great on offense. That’s no secret. However, that hasn’t mattered, especially down the stretch of the season. With arguably the best defense spring football has ever seen, the offense normally doesn’t have to do much. The offense plays a short field, whether it’s from a forced turnover by the defense or a big special team’s play.
The defense is fast, fierce, and opportunistic. The Maulers could win this game by containing the Stallions’ offense and giving themselves a good field position.
If the Maulers win, I expect it to be in a low-scoring, grind-it-out fashion. They’ll smother the Birmingham offense with their pass rush and tire the Stallions’ defense out by running the ball a lot. While it doesn’t seem plausible, the Maulers could win this game.
Why The Stallions Could Win
The Stallions have a lot going for them. After thinking they would struggle when J’Mar Smith was injured, Alex McGough quickly showed everybody why he originally won the starting job last year. McGough has been very impressive and won games with his arm and legs. Not to mention, he’s gotten help on the ground from C.J. Marable and a plethora of pass-catchers.
In fact, two of those pass-catchers were in the top five for receiving yards. They were tight end Jace Sternberger and receiver Davion Davis. Sternberger led the league in touchdown receptions, while McGough led in passing touchdowns.
Marable helped by finishing fourth in rushing yards after Bo Scarbrough had an early season injury. McGough was also third in rushing touchdowns with five. However, the best thing the Stallions have going for them is that they are the best-coached team in the USFL.
While the Maulers have players with the most kick return yards, most punt return yards, and most interceptions, the Stallions’ defense has done enough. Scooby Wright is still one of the best linebackers in the USFL, despite struggling with some injuries throughout the year. At the end of the day, it didn’t matter how the defense played though.
The offense carried the team as they scored more than 20 points in every single game. In fact, including the playoff game, they averaged 30 points a game.
If the Stallions win, it will be for one simple reason. Their offense is better than everybody else’s. Nobody can keep up with the Stallions’ offense, so if they can move the ball easily on the strong Mauler’s defense, they’ll win this game. They found a way to get into the 2023 USFL Championship preview after winning last year. They have the experience, and now they will prove why they are the best team.
USFL Championship Best Bets
What’s a 2023 USFL Championship preview without some USFL Championship best bets? This game is incredibly hard to handicap. Last week I went against my gut and picked the Breakers to end the Stallions’ season. I can’t go against my gut again. While the Maulers have a very strong defense, I don’t think they can completely stop Alex McGough and the Stallions. They forced him into two interceptions in their first meeting, but he’s taken an even bigger step forward in the past couple of weeks.
If the Stallions get ahead, the Maulers will have a really tough time catching up. I like the Stallions to win the game at -280. However, the point spread has jumped to seven after originally opening at four-and-a-half. The Maulers’ defense is good enough to keep the game close, as witnessed by their 24-20 loss to the Stallions the last time these two teams played.
Therefore, I like the Maulers +7 (-110) to cover. A lot of people are going to jump on the under. With a total at 46, I’m going to take the over. I expect the Stallions to put their foot on the gas and not let up, even if it means some turnovers that lead to Mauler points.
One final bet to take is in the form of props. That’s right. We have some prop bets for the championship game! Jace Sternberger has been such a reliable target. I like him as an anytime scorer at -150. I also like Sternberger as the first scorer at +450. Lastly, I also like taking Alex McGough anytime touchdown scorer at +125.
