The Birmingham Stallions (7-2) meet the Memphis Showboats (5-4) Saturday in a key Week 10 USFL South Division game at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Stallions vs. Showboats odds, and make our expert USFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Stallions were the first USFL team to clinch a playoff spot last weekend, but Birmingham is still playing to secure the South Division title. It can do so with a victory, or a loss and a setback by the New Orleans Breakers against the Houston Gamblers Sunday, also in Memphis.
Birmingham has rattled off 4 consecutive victories, while going 3-1 against the spread (ATS) during the span. During the win streak, the Stallions have scored 24 or more points, averaging 29.0 PPG. On the flip side, B-Ham has allowed just 18.0 PPG during the stretch.
The Showboats had won 5 in a row, while covering 6 straight outings before Week 9. However, the Boats were humbled 31-3 by the aforementioned Breakers, taking the possibility of a division title off the table. However, Memphis is still alive for a postseason spot, albeit now a very, very unlikely situation due to tiebreakers, point differential, etc.
These teams met back in Week 2, and the Stallions roughed up the Showboats 42-2 in the most lopsided game of the season at Protective Stadium in Alabama.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Stallions at Showboats odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Stallions -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Showboats +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Against the spread: Stallions -4.5 (-110) | Showboats +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 44 (O: -110 | U: -110)
FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+
Stallions at Showboats key injuries
(From official team Twitter pages)
Stallions
- OL Jahmir Johnson (shoulder) out
- DL Jonathan Newsome (knee) out
Showboats
- LB Aaron Hansford (ribs) questionable
- LB Jeff McCulloch (foot) questionable
- OL Jordan McCray (leg) out
- OL Lukayus McNeil (knee) out
- DB Quenton Meeks (ankle) out
- S Antonio Reed (wrist) out
- RB Kerrith Whyte (ankle) out
- S Kyree Woods (concussion) out
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Stallions at Showboats picks and predictions
Prediction
Stallions 29, Showboats 18
Moneyline
Birmingham (-190) is a little too expensive at this price, costing you 2 times your potential return. My personal limit for a singular moneyline wager is -180.
It’s probably a good bet, as the Stallions will saddle up and give it their all with a division title on the line. But the Boats are also desperate to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, and it’s a certainty they’ll have a better showing than Week 2.
PASS.
Against the spread
BIRMINGHAM -4.5 (-110) has the best record in the USFL, and with 260 points this is easily the best scoring offense, with the Breakers a distant 2nd with 220.
Memphis +4.5 (-110) is trying to keep its flickering postseason hopes alive, but after a 28-point beatdown at the hands of the Breakers, it was also desperate in a key South Division game last week and Memphis failed to show up.
Look for the Stallions to roll to a victory, even playing on the road on the banks of the Mississippi River in Memphis.
Over/Under
OVER 44 (-110) looks like a good bet based upon Birmingham’s high-octane offense. The Over is 5-2 in the past 7 games for the Stallions, too, and B-Ham has posted 20 or points in all 9 outings, with 27 or more points in 6 of the contests.
However, the Under cashed in the Week 2 meeting, and the Under has been the rule for the Showboats. The Under has cashed in 6 straight games for Memphis, which is the longest Under run of the entire season, too.
Still, I think Birmingham has tremendous offense, and it dropped 42 on Memphis earlier in the season. While the Boats defense is much better than that first showing, the offense will also do a lot more than Week 2. Memphis has scored 22 or more points in 6 of 9 games this season. A total in the high 40’s or 50’s is expected.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and us on Facebook.
Access NFL coverage:
SportsbookWire | BetFTW | TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | ColtsWire | CommandersWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWire | TitansWire | VikingsWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | ListWire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=48550]