Philadelphia Stars vs. Birmingham Stallions Breakdown

Stars Play Stallions with Playoff Implications This Saturday

Birmingham’s Protective Stadium is the setting for a key contest for both the Philadelphia Stars (4-3) and the Birmingham Stallions (5-2). NBC Sports airs the game at 3 pm ET/ 2 pm CT Saturday.

Saturday’s game marks the first time that Philadelphia and Birmingham have squared off head-to-head since the 2022 USFL Championship Game. On the eve of the 4th of July, the Stallions took the title, 33-30.

If the standings hold, the Stars and Stallions would be in line to play each other this July for the championship.

The STAHHHHS but in A R T form 👀🎨💫 pic.twitter.com/XigPaSGhsy

— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) June 1, 2023

Playoff Picture Refresher

As previously mentioned in the first breakdown, heading into the eighth weekend of play, Philadelphia could find itself one step closer toward a berth in the June 24-25 USFL Playoffs if the games play out favorably for them. By kickoff time, the Stars will already know if they’re still able to clinch this week.

This is the second step of a three-step process for Philadelphia as it tries to book a spot to postseason play. The playoff picture shows that the Stars would need a Pittsburgh loss in Saturday’s early game to Houston, a win here against Birmingham, and a Sunday loss by New Jersey to get in the playoffs in Canton.

Another Day to Barbecue in Birmingham

If you’re not sick of barbecue just yet from the Memorial Day weekend, the weather forecasts for Birmingham show that Saturday and Sunday will be optimal days to cook up some ribs. High temperatures on Saturday will top out in the low-90s.

A minimal threat of rain is expected for the game. If you have tickets to the game, make sure the seats are in the shade.

Philadelphia Stars vs. Birmingham Stallions Betting Odds

As of early Friday evening, the oddsmakers have the Birmingham Stallions installed as a -6-point favorite on the spread and a -250 favorite on the money line. Philadelphia counters as a +190 underdog on the money line.

The over-under for Saturday’s game is set at 45 1/2 points. If you plan to bet on this or any other game happening in the USFL this week, please wager responsibly.

Look for Cookus to Have a Great Day

In recent weeks, Stars quarterback Case Cookus has improved under center. Earlier on in the season, the Northern Arizona alum’s primary issue was being sacked.

This is something that’s corrected itself in recent weeks. If you take Philadelphia’s last two ballgames into consideration, he’s only been sacked once, last week against Pittsburgh.

With Cookus not having been taken down of late, he managed an 18-of-30 performance through the air with 235 yards and two touchdowns against one interception. Regardless of whatever else happens for him and the Stars the rest of the way, he’s already surpassed last year’s total in passing yards with 1,520 through seven games.

In the entire regular season last year, Cookus threw for only 1,334 yards. If the O-line protects him, he could be within striking distance of 2,000 yards by this time next week.

LaBryan Ray Needs to Bring the Heat

On defense, the Stars were anchored by LaBryan Ray. In his first year with the Philadelphia organization, the defensive end out of Alabama recorded his first two sacks as a professional last week.

Ray is a man who saw action with the New England Patriots last preseason but was cut from the roster after the team’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. With a decent performance again on Saturday, his NFL stock might rise even further.

If he’s able to create pressure up front, he can bring Stallions quarterback Alex McGough down with regularity.

Look for McGough to Scramble

Alex McGough proved himself as a dual-threat at QB last week. While he passed for 176 yards and a touchdown, he also showed off his wheels, running for 22 yards on seven carries.

He was sacked three times last Saturday vs. New Orleans, something that he’ll try to correct this coming week. If the pocket collapses around him, he’ll have just a few seconds to try and break free.

Should McGough be unable to find an open wide receiver, he’s got only one option: Take off and run the football. Anything else, he’ll find himself on the turf having given up another sack.

Will Poling Have Another Banner Day?

A week ago, we mentioned that Birmingham linebacker Quentin Poling as the team’s impact player. Last Saturday, he lit up the stat sheet for the second ballgame in a row, making six tackles and sacking New Orleans quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson twice.

Those were Poling’s first sacks since he was a member of the Ohio Bobcats’ football program in 2017. That season, he had five sacks while he was playing his home games at Peden Stadium in Athens.

Case Cookus has been taken down quite often through week seven, so will Poling be able to make him taste turf on Saturday? Watch to find out.

Final Thoughts

Nobody in the USFL’s South Division will be able to lock up a spot in the playoffs this week, but the Stallions can clinch a winning season if they emerge victorious. This team has been a fun watch all year long. Expect nothing different this time.

Prediction: Birmingham 31, Philadelphia 14.

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