The New Jersey Generals and the Birmingham Stallions meet Saturday in the Week 1 opener at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Generals vs. Stallions odds, and make our expert USFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Generals posted a 9-1 record last season, but the team must replace dynamic kick return man KaVontae Turpin, who landed a job with the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL.
USFL Offensive Player of the Year RB Darius Victor is back, though, after rumbling for 577 yards and 9 TDs. He’ll pair with RB Trey Williams for a tremendous one-two punch in Jersey.
The Stallions begin defending their title at Protective Stadium, where all of the 2022 regular season games were played. QBs J’Mar Smith and Alex McGough are both talented and capable of doing big things.
Stallions RB Bo Scarbrough flamed out in the NFL, but he was a bona fide star with the Stallions last season. TE Thaddeus Moss, son of NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss, joins the team, too, although he is inactive for Week 1.
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Generals at Stallions odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Generals +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Stallions -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Generals +5 (-110) | Stallions -5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 39.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Generals at Stallions key injuries
Generals
- OL Isaiah Battle (calf) probable
- OL Brandon Haskins (ankle, elbow) probable
- WR Warren Newman (toe, hamstring) out
- WR Randy Satterfield (hip) probable
- DL Deyon Sizer (shoulder) out
- WR Darell Stewart (hamstring) out
- OL Saige Young (back) out
Stallions
- CB Donnie Lewis (groin, illness) questionable
- LB Scooby Wright (calf) probable
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Generals at Stallions picks and predictions
Prediction
Stallions 26, Generals 20
Moneyline
The Stallions (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return, and that’s a little steep for a standalone wager, even for the defending champions.
PASS.
Against the spread
The lean is to STALLIONS -5 (-110), although the Generals +5 (-110) certainly have the tools to hang with the defending champs.
The key for New Jersey will be the run game and Victor, while the Stallions have an outstanding rushing attack, and experienced quarterbacks, too. This one should be fun, with the home side cashing late in the 2nd half.
Over/Under
OVER 39.5 (-110) is the play, as both of these teams have the offensive tools to make things happen.
Again, like we saw in the XFL in Week 1, the books set the totals low on the opening week games, and the teams exceeded expectations on offense. Look for the star-studded Birmingham and New Jersey offenses to put on a show at Protective Stadium.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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