The Philadelphia Stars and the Memphis Showboats meet Saturday in the Week 1 opener at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Stars vs. Showboats odds, and make our expert USFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Stars will look to lean upon RB Matt Colburn II, who posted 140 rushing yards and 3 TDs in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Bandits, which is what the Showboats were previously known as. QB Case Cookus is back to lead the Philadelphia offense.
The Showboats will play their 1st game in Memphis after playing all 10 games in Birmingham last season. Head coach Todd Haley hopes his team is a little better taking care of the football, as the Bandits had a minus-10 turnover differential, which was worst in the USFL. The team, now the Showboats, also led the USFL with 73 penalties in 2022.
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Stars 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 6:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Stars -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Showboats +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread (ATS): Stars -2.5 (-110) | Showboats +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 38.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Stars at Showboats key injuries
Stars
- TE Ryan Izzo (Achilles, calf) probable
- DE Adam Rodriguez (ankle) probable
- WR Jordan Suell (hamstring) probable
- OL Tristen Taylor (finger) probable
- TE Pro Wells (Achilles) probable
- CB Denzel Williams (shoulder) probable
Showboats
- DB Delrick Adams Jr. (ankle) questionable
- DL John Atkins (shoulder) probable
- OL Matt Burrell (knee) probable
- WR John Franklin III (Achilles, foot) probable
- DB Jermaine Kelly (knee) questionable
- DB Josh Nurse (thigh) doubtful
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Stars at Showboats picks and predictions
Prediction
Stars 24, Showboats 20
Moneyline
The STARS (-145) are the play, as Philadelphia has one of the best signal callers in the USFL in Cookus, while also boasting one of the better tailbacks in Colburn.
The Showboats (+120) were mistaken-prone and rather undisciplined last season, when known as the Bandits, and it remains to be seen if the team has made inroads on shoring up the defense.
Against the spread
The STARS -2.5 (-110) are worth playing lightly on the road, as they look to spoil the return of pro football to Memphis.
Colburn was 2nd in the league in touchdowns, and 5th in yardage, and he also has nice hands out of the backfield. Former NFL first-round pick, WR Corey Coleman, joins the Stars, and he could have a big debut if Suell is unable to go.
The Showboats +2.5 (-110) have some solid tools, especially in the receiving game, to keep this one close. Frankin III and WRs Rashard Davis and Derrick Dillon have the tools to make big plays.
Over/Under
OVER 38.5 (-110) is the best play on the board. Philadelphia’s offense is full of “Stars”, and Memphis has the receivers to be able to put up plenty of points, too.
Like we saw in the XFL, the books made the totals super low in the early weeks of the season, and the Over cashed frequently. Look for the same to occur in the opening weekend of the 2nd USFL season.
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