Stew Milne/USFL/Getty Images for the USFL
The USFL Championship is official, and the two competitors happen to be the respective regular-season division winners.
USFL @USFL
MAULERS WIN NORTH OT ⚒ pic.twitter.com/5z591PhMOt
Birmingham Stallions @USFL Stallions
BACK-TO-BACK SOUTH DIVISION CHAMPS! 🏆 🐎 pic.twitter.com/zbJpQ1CV7O
The North Division champion Pittsburgh Maulers (5-6) clinched first place in the league championship with a 31-27 overtime victory over the Michigan Panthers. The second challenger was determined in Sunday night’s matchup, and it wasn’t that close.
The South Division champion Birmingham Stallions (9-2) cruised to a 47-22 victory over the New Orleans Breakers. This is Birmingham’s second championship in a row, and they will look to defend their title in 2022 against the Maulers, who are making their first championship appearance and have an impressive turnaround from a 1-9 2022 campaign. .
The two teams met on May 7, where the Stallions won 24-20. The game was sandwiched between Birmingham’s only two losses, and now the Stallions enter the rematch on a six-game winning streak. Pittsburgh is also on a hot streak, winning their last three games.
The Maulers are led on offense by quarterback Troy Williams, who has thrown for 1,414 yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions. He also led the team in rushing, running for 341 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Madre London was the leading tailback, gaining 254 yards on 66 carries and adding a touchdown. Isiah Hennie is the team’s leading receiver with 474 yards and three touchdowns. Pittsburgh leads the league in forced turnovers with eight.
Pittsburgh Maulers @USFL Maulers
Woke up North Division Champions 🏆😏 pic.twitter.com/4mJCAkZhpi
Birmingham is the leagues leading offense, gaining 332.6 yards per game and has a 51 percent success rate on third down. They were led on offense by quarterback Alex McGough, who led the league with 20 passing touchdowns to go along with his 2,105 passing yards. He also added 403 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Birmingham Stallions @USFL Stallions
OH MCGOUGHDNESS! 🔥 💪@McgoughAlex IT DOES ALL! pic.twitter.com/zghNViN47j
CJ Marable was the team’s leading rusher, gaining 524 yards on 118 attempts and scoring three touchdowns. They have a dynamic duo at receiver, with Davion Davis getting 574 yards and scoring four touchdowns and Jace Sternberger carrying 517 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Stallions are the best team in the USFL this season and have plenty of playoff experience. McGough is coming off a masterful performance in the semi-final win where he went 21/31 for 310 yards and five total touchdowns and earned a quarterback rating of 139.8. Birmingham is like a well-oiled machine and it will take a miracle for Pittsburgh to dethrone them.
Statistical prediction:
Alex McGough: 300-plus total yards, 3-plus total touchdowns
Troy Williams: 200-plus total yards, 1 touchdown
Score Prediction: Birmingham 31, Pittsburgh 10
