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The USFL’s rebranded inaugural season in Alabama marks the return of professional football, with the action set to commence this weekend.
Bettors in Michigan can place bets on the league and their local team, the Michigan Panthers.
Before placing your bets, it’s important to note that the USFL does not follow the same format as the NFL that we are familiar with. Familiarize yourself with the numerous differences.
Latest USFL odds
Even though it is the inaugural season of the 8-team USFL restart, you can already find future odds for the team that will win the championship this year.
To everyone’s surprise, the Panthers have emerged as strong contenders for this year’s championship, offering the state of Michigan a much-needed taste of success on the football field.
For Week 1, several sportsbooks are presenting odds for the games, yet there is considerable variation among them.
Initially, FoxBet Sportsbook set the total points for the games at approximately 53-55 points, while all other books listed them at around 43 points. However, FoxBet has now aligned itself with its counterparts by adjusting its latest total projections.
In the absence of any historical statistics to rely on, the initial weeks of a new league serve as a crucial evaluation period for both bettors and sportsbooks.
When asked about their odds-setting process, BetMGM Michigan explained that they rely on season long projections, which are used to establish league winner odds. These projections then serve as the basis for creating initial lines for each matchup. Additionally, the trading team keeps a close eye on betting activity and makes necessary adjustments to the lines.
The Panthers have emerged as the favored team in their upcoming opener against the Houston Gamblers on Sunday at Noon ET, with a point spread of 2.5 to 3 in their favor. The total score for the game is expected to fall within the range of 42.5 to 43.5.
USFL Basics
To begin, let’s delve into the fundamental aspects of the 2022 USFL league.
There will be a total of eight teams participating in this season’s competition, divided into two divisions each consisting of four teams.
These are the two divisions.
South Division
- Birmingham Stallions
- Houston Gamblers
- New Orleans Breakers
- Tampa Bay Bandits
North Division
- Michigan Panthers
- New Jersey Generals
- Philadelphia Stars
- Pittsburgh Maulers
The active roster for all USFL teams will consist of 38 players, accompanied by a practice squad of seven players. Players will be entitled to a base compensation and will also have the opportunity to earn victory bonuses.
The schedule for each team consists of 10 games, with divisional opponents facing each other twice, and non-divisional opponents meeting once.
To advance to the playoffs, the top two teams from each division will be selected. The playoffs will comprise of two semifinals followed by a championship.
The commencement of the season takes place this weekend, and its culmination is scheduled for July.
Birmingham, Alabama will serve as the venue for all games, which will be hosted at either Protective Stadium or Legion Field. As for the playoffs, they will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
FOX, FS1, NBC, USA, and Peacock are the designated broadcasters for the games. The inaugural match of Michigan against the Gamblers will be broadcasted live exclusively on NBC.
Unique rules in the USFL
Although the USFL will maintain a predominantly American football style, it is also striving to introduce distinct elements to differentiate itself from other leagues.
- In addition to the typical extra point and 2-point choice, USFL teams have the opportunity to aim for 3 points following a touchdown by trying to score from the 10-yard line.
- Instead of the traditional onside kick, scoring teams have an alternative option. They can choose to retain possession by successfully converting a 4th-and-12 play from their own 33-yard line.
- In overtime, teams will take turns attempting 2-point shots for three rounds. If the score remains tied after the three rounds, sudden death will be implemented in subsequent rounds.
- Pass interference is called when a defender intentionally tackles an opponent who is over 15 yards away from the line of scrimmage. In such cases, it results in a spot foul. On the other hand, if the tackle occurs within 15 yards, the penalty follows NCAA rules, resulting in a spot foul. However, if the tackle goes beyond the 15-yard mark, a full 15-yard penalty is enforced.
- During the second and fourth quarters, if there are less than two minutes left on the clock, it will stop whenever there is a first down.
- The play clock in this league will be set at 35 seconds instead of the NFL’s 40 seconds.
- Each coach is granted a single opportunity to make a replay challenge, which is subsequently evaluated by the USFL Replay Command located in Los Angeles.
- Two forward passes are allowed on a single play when thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
- Kickoffs in football occur when the ball travels a minimum of 20 yards, at which point the receiving team gains possession through their first touch. If the ball is untouched and deemed dead, the receiving team will take possession at that spot. Kickoffs are initiated from the 25-yard line, with the kicking team’s members positioned no more than a yard back to prevent a running start. The receiving team must have eight blockers positioned between the 35-and-45-yard lines.
- Gunners are not allowed to be double-team blocked until the ball is kicked, and they must not line up beyond the numbers.
The purpose behind all the rule modifications is to foster a game that is not only safer but also encourages a faster pace and enables more offensive creativity in football.
