It has been about two months since the Los Angeles Rams upended the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl and New York sports betting has taken a bit of a hit since, with football no longer on the odds board.
However, that changes Saturday. Thatās right, Saturday, when the United States Football League (USFL) returns to the national scene for its opening weekend of games.
The rooting interest in New York will be with the New Jersey Generals, as it was with the old days of the USFL.
You will remember that the Super Bowl gave the betting numbers in New York a big boost.
Weekend Schedule, Odds
In the season opener, the Birmingham Stallions host the New Jersey Generals at 7:30 p.m. (simulcast by FOX, NBC), as both networks are involved with the re-launch of the league.
Over at BetMGM New York, the Stallions are 2.5-point favorites with the over/under total at 43.5 points.
DraftKings New York lists the Stallions as a 3-point and -165 moneyline favorite with an over/under of 42.5.
A tripleheader takes place on Sunday:
- The Michigan Panthers are -2.5 over the Houston Gamblers with a 43.5 over/under at noon.
- The New Orleans Breakers (-2.5, o/u 43.5 points) face the Philadelphia Stars at 4 p.m.
- The Tampa Bay Bandits (-3.5, o/u 42.5 points) are favored over the Pittsburgh Maulers at 8 p.m.
Which Team Will Win It All?
BetMGM also posted future odds on the winner of the USFL championship:
| āļø Michigan Panthers | +400 |
| āļø Tampa Bay Bandits | +450 |
| āļø New Orleans Breakers | +500 |
| āļø Pittsburgh Maulers | +600 |
| āļø Philadelphia Stars | +650 |
| āļø New Jersey Generals | +700 |
| āļø Birmingham Stallions | +750 |
| āļø Houston Gamblers | +800 |
All games in the 10-week regular season will be played at Protective Stadium or Legion Field, both in Birmingham, Ala.
The eight-team league will be split into two divisions:
- North Division: Generals, Maulers, Panthers, Stars.
- South Division: Bandits, Breakers, Gamblers, Stallions.
Sizing Up Generals-Stallions
The Generals are led by former San Diego Chargers head coach Mike Riley, who compiled a 14-34 record during the Ryan Leaf era, and most recently was in the college ranks with stints at Oregon State and Nebraska for a combined 112-99 record, with some minor bowl victories sprinkled in.
Former Tarleton State quarterback Ben Holmes leads the Generals offense. Recently, he had been with the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League last year, as well as the Sea Lions in the final Spring League season.
Leading the defense is former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback De'Vante Bausby, who has a Super Bowl ring as an Eagles practice squad player. He also was the Alliance of American Footballās (AAF) all-time leader in both pass breakups and interceptions.
Lou Holtzās son, long-time college coach Skip Holtz, leads the Stallions after compiling a 152-121 record with Connecticut, East Carolina, South Florida and Louisiana Tech, with eight bowl wins to his credit.
Former Florida International quarterback Alex McGough leads the offense with JāMar Smith (who played for Holtz at Louisiana Tech) as the backup. The Stallions also feature pass-rusher Aaron Adeoye, who had been with the Champions Indoor Football, The Spring League and AAF before finally landing an NFL contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He was on the practice squad for the Ravens and Green Bay Packers.
The USFL will hold its playoff games and championship at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, in Canton, Ohio - right next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The playoffs are scheduled to begin June 25 with the top two teams from the North Division and the South Division going head-to-head for a spot in the championship on July 3.
