USFL WEEK 7 PREVIEW & PICKS

BY ADAM GREENE

We had a nice little spike in viewers for the USFL last week and it was well deserved. The football keeps getting better as the good teams have solidly separated themselves from the pack. And with the exception of a couple of scrub squads, everyone else can at least regularly show up and play.

Saturday night’s game between the Birmingham Stallions and Michigan Panthers drew the biggest audience, 1.196 million for NBC. It helps that the Stallions are the class of the league and kept their perfect record rolling.

It’s all good news for those of us who want to bet the odds and totals on football this time of year. If they can keep it up going head to head with the XFL (who has the NFL’s blessing and I’m betting access to bottom roster players) is anyone’s guess.

SATURDAY

NEW JERSEY GENERALS AT TAMPA BAY BANDITS (+4, O/U: 42.5)

The Generals nearly fumbled away their game against the Houston Gamblers last weekend. They needed a last second score to take a 26-25 victory. The Bandits made it interesting in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns while falling just short to the Philadelphia Stars, losing 35-28.

After settling on DeAndre Johnson as their QB, New Jersey had to go back to Luis Perez after Johnson left the field with an ankle injury. Perez had an odd day, completing 75 percent of his passes for 159 yards and a touchdown, but was guilty of two sack fumbles, one that led to a touchdown and one that was returned for a touchdown. Johnson was 4 for 4 for 52 yards and a TD when he went down. Trey Williams rushed 16 times for 76 yards and a touchdown. KaVonte Turpin put on a nice show with 10 catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

For the Bandits, Jordan Ta’amu was 27 of 40 for 333 yards, four touchdowns and a pick in the loss. He added 61 yards on the ground, for what might be the best rushing performance to Tampa Bay all season. Rashard Davis caught three passes for 83 yards. Cheyenne O’Grady hauled in three for 45 yards and two TDs.

If Johnson has to miss for the Generals, this one might be particularly interesting. Even with Perez under center, New Jersey still has the edge at QB. Plus, they can run the ball and Tampa hasn’t proven they can. Generals 20, Bandits 17

NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS AT MICHIGAN PANTHERS (+5.5, O/U: 42)

The Breakers took their turn hanging a loss on the Pittsburgh Maulers, winning 26-16. The Panthers lost, as they often do, in blowout fashion to the league’s best team, falling 33-17 to the Birmingham Barons.

Kyle Sloter completed 61.9 percent of his passes for a measly 92 yards for New Orleans in what has to be a season low. Anthony Jones carried the ball 22 times for 102 yards and a TD.

Shea Patterson once again got the call for Michigan for whatever good it did. He had a decent day, completing 68.6 percent of his passes for 209 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Reggie Corbin had 16 rushes for 71 yards. Lance Lenoir Jr. had nine grabs for 82 yards.

The only surprise in Michigan losing last week is that they were actually in the game for a while. Jeff Fisher is showing definitively that not only was every NFL team looking at a head coach right to pass him over, but every NCAA FBS and FCS team too. Breakers 31, Panthers 13

SUNDAY

BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS AT PITTSBURGH MAULERS (+11, O/U: 41)

To no one’s surprise, the Stallions put a solid beat down on the Michigan Panthers last week, 33-17. After winning their first game of the year, the Maulers couldn’t do it two weeks in a row, losing 26-16 to the New Orleans Breakers.

J’Mar Smith protected the ball at least, throwing no interceptions, but completing just 50 percent of his passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns for Birmingham. Bo Scarbrough, in his first real action of the season, piled up the yardage like he was back at Alabama, rushing 16 times for 104 yards and a TD. Osirus Mitchell had four touches for 62 yards and a score.

Vad Lee couldn’t recapture the magic from his first USFL start for Pittsburgh, finishing 17 of 33 for 198 yards, one touchdown and two picks. Madre London carried 10 times for 50 yards and Isiah Hennie caught four passes for 71 yards.

The Stallions probably won’t go undefeated this season, but it’s hard to see a way the worst team in the league will get it done. Even after an off week from Smith, Birmingham is too strong. Stallions 33, Maulers 16

PHILADELPHIA STARS AT HOUSTON GAMBLERS (+3.5, O/U: 44)

The Stars survived a late fourth quarter comeback attempt from the Tampa Bay Bandits to win 35-28. Houston nearly pulled the upset thanks to a late fumble recovery for a touchdown, but couldn’t keep the New Jersey Generals out of the end zone as time expired to lose 26-25.

Case Cookus held the reigns for Philadelphia, completing 55 percent of his passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Coburn II had a huge day on the ground, carrying the ball 18 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns.

Clayton Thorson had his best day of the season for the Gamblers, completing 78.9 percent of his passes for 171 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Teo Redding caught three passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Houston isn’t the worst team in the league, but they share the record with the other two cellar dwellers for a reason. Philadelphia is probably the middle of the road as the USFL goes, but they should be able to get it done here. Stars 23, Gamblers 17

Last week

Straight up: 3-1

Against the spread: 2-2

Season

Straight up: 13-11

Against the spread: 12-12

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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