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The St. Louis Battlehawks and Michigan Panthers open their UFL seasons Saturday afternoon at Ford Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Battlehawks vs. Panthers odds and make our expert football picks and predictions.
The Battlehawks won 7 of 10 games last season, posting a solid plus-47 scoring differential, but they lost out on a North Division tiebreaker to the Seattle Sea Dragons for the final playoff spot. QB A.J. McCarron is back under center, with coach Anthony Becht leading the squad for the 2nd consecutive year. Former Clemson and New York Giants RB Wayne Gallman joins the mix to diversify the offense, with a cadre of solid receivers.
The Panthers are led by QB EJ Perry, who developed a solid rapport with TE Cole Hikutini and WR Trey Quinn. Michigan added RB Wes Hills from the New Orleans Breakers, while Matt Colburn II and Nate McCrary provide depth. LB Frank Ginda, who posted 104 total stops with three INTs was the USFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.
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Battlehawks at Panthers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:13 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Battlehawks -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Panthers +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread (ATS): Battlehawks -6.5 (-110) | Panthers +6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Battlehawks at Panthers key injuries
Battlehawks
- WR Jahcour Pearson (knee) out
Panthers
- DE T.J. Carter (undisclosed) out
- LB De’Gabriel Floyd (undisclosed) out
Battlehawks at Panthers picks and predictions
Prediction
Battlehawks 22, Panthers 17
Moneyline
The Battlehawks (-275) will cost you nearly 3 times your potential return, and that’s a little too risky on a normal basis. But we have a merged league, with a lot of new faces on both side. The Panthers (+220) retooled offense doesn’t look half bad, on paper at least, while St. Louis will be missing 1 of its biggest weapons in Pearson.
AVOID.
Against the spread
The PANTHERS +6.5 (-110) are a better play catching nearly a touchdown at home. The Battlehawks -6.5 (-110) won 7 games last season while posting an impressive point differential, but on the road it could have some issues against Michigan, especially with Pearson sidelined, and McCarron and the secondary receivers working to develop a rapport.
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Over/Under
UNDER 41.5 (-110) is worth a look in this game, as the offenses could be a little behind. Ginda is the defending USFL Player of the Year, and former NFL player and USFL sack leader Breeland Speaks lines up for the home side. The Panthers defense could be difficult to negotiate for the Battlehawks, especially down its top weapon.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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