Birmingham Stallions vs. Memphis Showboats Breakdown

Last season’s defending champions, the Birmingham Stallions (7-2), went on the road to Memphis a week ago and secured a playoff spot versus the Houston Gamblers (5-4)  Now, it’s all about seeding.

No. 1 Seed in South Division Could Be Claimed Saturday

According to the playoff picture, if Birmingham wins Saturday afternoon’s game against the Memphis Showboats (5-4), the Stallions will secure the No. 1 seed in the June 25 South Division Championship Game. Even if Birmingham doesn’t win, a Sunday loss by the New Orleans Breakers against the Gamblers also gives the Stallions the top seed.

Regardless of what happens on Saturday, Protective Stadium will host the division championship a week from Sunday. Live coverage of the week 10 game begins at 4 pm ET/ 3 pm CT on FOX Sports. 

In commemoration of the Father’s Day holiday over the weekend, fans attending the Birmingham/Memphis tilt will receive free spatulas upon entering Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. That’s not a joke.

Calling all dads! 🗣 Get your hands on this beautiful spatula, just in time for Father's Day!

🎟 https://t.co/mIaVlL91vN pic.twitter.com/XZ7OTZUfQ0

— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) June 14, 2023

Hot Day in Memphis on Saturday

It’s the final weekend of spring and it’ll feel like it on Saturday in Memphis. Current weather forecasts indicate that it’ll be a sunny afternoon with high temperatures topping out at 90 degrees.

Only a 10 percent chance of inclement weather is expected, a far cry from the three-hour lightning delay during the Showboats’ game against the Breakers last weekend. A slight east-northeast breeze at 6 MPH is expected.

Birmingham Stallions vs. Memphis Showboats Betting Odds

As of Friday, the oddsmakers have the Birmingham Stallions installed as a -4-point favorite on the spread and a -182 favorite on the money line. Memphis counters as a +140 underdog on the line.

Saturday’s over/under is set at 43 1/2 points. If you plan on betting on this or any other game happening in the USFL over the weekend, please wager responsibly.

When Last They Met…

Like the Pittsburgh/New Jersey game kicking off the Saturday slate, the Birmingham/Memphis contest in the second half of the doubleheader is also a rematch from week two. The Stallions’ first meeting against the Showboats was the most lopsided game in the USFL this season.

Back on April 22, Birmingham blew out Memphis 42-2 in Stallions quarterback Alex McGough’s first start under center. That night, he threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns. How will it turn out the second time around?

Stallions Need to Give Sternberger Room to Run

Birmingham’s receiving corps was led last week by tight end Jace Sternberger. The Texas A&M product caught three passes for 41 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s victory.

This was Sternberger’s third straight game with a trip to the end zone and second consecutive contest with at least three receptions. If Birmingham is to clinch the No. 1 seed, this man has to factor into the gameplan.

What can he do for an encore this week? Can Sternberger turn it up down the stretch to get a phone call from an NFL team, having failed to gain traction with the Packers and the Steelers?

Stallions Defense Needs to Bring the Pressure

Last Sunday, the Birmingham Stallions illustrated why defense won last year’s championship. As a unit, their defensive line recorded five sacks.

If you’ve followed along with these breakdowns throughout the season (thanks!), you’ve seen us mention that anytime where a defense is able to drop the quarterback a minimum of four times in a game, that’s the team more likely to win. Birmingham’s defense has been strong the entire year.

One more sterling effort will send the Stallions into next week’s playoffs energized to grab the division championship for the second year in a row.

Cole Kelley Has to Take Care of the Ball

Heading into Memphis’ last game of the regular season, there’s only one way to go, up. The Showboats gave the ball away five times during the lightning-delayed affair.

Quarterback Cole Kelley was intercepted three times in the 31-3 blowout. Memphis turned to Kelley as QB1 a few weeks into the season.

This is a team whose fortunes changed for the better with the switch at quarterback from Brady White to Cole Kelley. All of it will be for naught if he’s forced into making bad throws.

With the Showboats having an outside chance at a playoff berth, this is not the time to have a bad game.

Look for Warner to Have a Good Day

Memphis’ D-line was anchored by cornerback Troy Warner. A former member of the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to joining the Showboats, he notched nine total tackles (five solo).

The USFL has been and will be about giving players on the fringe of making an NFL team a pathway to succeed and potentially get that deal. Scouts all over the league are going to have their eyes out for guys like Warner.

It’s all up to him. If he steps up big on Saturday, you might be seeing him again in the fall.

Final Thoughts

If Memphis is to remain in the conversation beyond this weekend, it all starts with a win here. Defeating the Stallions is something that’s easier said than done, however. Only time will tell if the Showboats can accomplish this.

Prediction: Birmingham 35, Memphis 14.