The USFL And Michigan Panthers Return This Weekend, Here’s What To Expect

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This weekend marks the return of professional football as the USFL begins its inaugural season in Alabama with a fresh and revamped image.

Bettors in Michigan will have the opportunity to place bets on both the league and their local team, the Michigan Panthers.

Before placing your bets, it’s important to note that the USFL will not follow the familiar format of the NFL. Familiarize yourself with the numerous differences between the two leagues.

Latest USFL odds

Even though it is the inaugural season of the 8-team USFL restart, you can already access future odds for the team that will emerge as this year’s champion.

To everyone’s surprise, the Panthers have emerged as top contenders for the championship this year. If they win, it would bring much-needed success to the state of Michigan on the football field.

Week 1 brings forth a multitude of sportsbooks offering odds for the games, yet there exists a significant variation among these odds.

FoxBet Sportsbook initially had totals set at approximately 53-55 points, while other books had the games listed at around 43 points. However, FoxBet has now adjusted its total projections to align with those of its competitors.

The initial weeks of a new league, where there are no past statistics to rely upon for determining odds, serve as a crucial evaluation period not only for bettors but also for sportsbooks.

“When asked about their odds-setting process, BetMGM Michigan explained that they rely on season-long projections, which are used to determine the odds of becoming league winners. These projections are then employed to establish the initial betting lines for each matchup. Additionally, the trading team closely tracks betting activity and makes necessary adjustments to the lines accordingly.”

The Panthers are currently leading as the favored team with a 2.5-to-3-point advantage in their upcoming match against the Houston Gamblers on Sunday at Noon ET. The total score is estimated to fall within the range of 42.5-43.5.

USFL Basics

To begin, let’s delve into the fundamental aspects of the 2022 USFL league.

This season, there will be a total of eight teams participating, divided into two divisions consisting of four squads each.

These are the two divisions.

The Division located in the southern region.

• The Stallions of Birmingham
• The team known as the Houston Gamblers is being rephrased.
• The Breakers of New Orleans
• The Bandits of Tampa Bay

The Division of the North.

• The Michigan Panthers
• The Generals of New Jersey
• The Philadelphia Stars
• The Pittsburgh Maulers

Each USFL team will have a 38-player active roster, along with a seven-player practice squad. Players will receive a base compensation and will also be eligible for victory bonuses.

The schedule for each team consists of 10 games. Within their division, teams will face each other twice, while they will only face non-divisional opponents once.

In order to reach the playoffs, the top two teams from every division will progress. The playoffs will encompass two semifinal matches followed by a championship showdown.

This weekend marks the start of the season, which will come to an end in July.

The entirety of the games will take place in Birmingham, Alabama, specifically at either Protective Stadium or Legion Field. However, the playoffs are scheduled to occur in Canton, Ohio, specifically at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

The games are scheduled to be broadcasted on FOX, FS1, NBC, USA, and Peacock. The Michigan team’s opening match against the Gamblers will be televised live on NBC.

Unique rules in the USFL

Although the USFL will adopt a fairly familiar style reminiscent of American football, it is also striving to incorporate distinctive elements into its league.

• In addition to the regular one-point and two-point options, USFL teams have the opportunity to earn three points after a touchdown by attempting to score from the 10-yard line.
• Instead of an onside kick, teams that score can choose to retain possession by converting a 4th-and-12 from their own 33-yard line.
• During overtime, teams will take turns attempting 2-point shots for three rounds. If the score remains tied after these rounds, sudden death will be implemented in each subsequent round.
• Pass interference is called when a defender intentionally tackles an opponent who is more than 15 yards away from the line of scrimmage. In such cases, it results in a spot foul. If the tackle occurs within 15 yards from the line of scrimmage, the penalty follows NCAA rules, resulting in a spot foul. However, if the tackle occurs beyond that point, it incurs a full 15-yard penalty.
• During the last two minutes of the second and fourth quarters, the clock will be halted on first downs.
• The play clock in this league will be 35 seconds, instead of the 40-second play clock in the NFL.
• Replay challenges: Every coach has the opportunity to make one replay challenge, which will be reviewed by the USFL Replay Command located in Los Angeles.
• Two forward passes can be legally thrown on a single play, starting from behind the line of scrimmage.
• When the ball is kicked off, the receiving team is required to make the first touch after it has traveled a distance of 20 yards. If the ball is not touched by the receiving team, it is considered dead at the spot where it lands. The kickoffs occur at the 25-yard line, and the kicking team’s players must line up no more than a yard behind to prevent a running start. The receiving team must position eight of their blockers between the 35 and 45-yard lines.
• On punts, gunners are not allowed to be blocked by two players until the ball is kicked. Additionally, they are prohibited from lining up beyond the numbers.

The intent behind all the rule changes is to establish a game that is not only safer but also encourages a faster pace and fosters offensive creativity in football.

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