USFL 2023: Full Schedule, Championship Odds, Notable Players on Rosters
The United States Football League is back for its second season under its new format. While the league isn't the same one that first made spring football fun in the 1980s, it does feature many of the names of the original franchises.
Last year, all USFL games prior to the championship were played in Birmingham, Alabama, and, perhaps unsurprisingly, the Birmingham Stallions won it all after posting a 9-1 regular-season record.
Several USFL players parlayed their performances in the 2022 season into opportunities in NFL training camps. In that regard, the league's goal of being a developmental system for the NFL was a success.
"It's a benefit," Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels said, per Eric D. Williams of Fox Sports. "There's a lot of guys who continue to work hard. They want to achieve their dream of playing in the National Football League."
USFL MVP KaVontae Turpin signed with the Dallas Cowboys and went on to appear in all 17 games and make the Pro Bowl as a return specialist. Other players, like quarterback Jordan Ta'amu, have since re-emerged with the rival spring league, the XFL.
While the XFL's regular season is winding down, the USFL's 2023 campaign is just getting started. Here's everything you need to know.
2023 Season Preview
As was the case last year, the USFL promises to have a strong television presence, with games being broadcast on networks like Fox, USA, and NBC. The 2023 season will once again feature an eight-team, 10-week format.
There are a couple of changes to note, however. For one, games will no longer be played exclusively in Birmingham. Instead, the USFL will feature four hubs—Birmingham, Detroit, Memphis and Canton, Ohio—which might help expand regional fanbases for the league's eight squads.
We'll also see a new team in 2023, with the Memphis Showboats replacing the Tampa Bay Bandits.
Rules will be a little different than those that college and NFL fans are accustomed to. Like the XFL, the USFL will provide one-, two- and three-point opportunities after touchdowns, although, unlike the XFL, teams can kick for the one-point play.
The overtime rules are also similar to those of the XFL, with teams alternating two-point attempts in a best-of-three format, playing additional rounds if necessary.
The USFL will also have a 4th-and-12 alternative to the onside kick, similar to the XFL's 4th-and-15 option. Following a score, a team can attempt a 4th-and-12 from its own 33-yard line, keeping the ball if successful and giving it up at the dead-ball spot if not.
The Stallions are looking to defend their title and are among the early favorites. Their quest will begin on Saturday against the New Jersey Generals.
USFL Championship Odds
Birmingham Stallions 275-100
New Jersey Generals 3-1
Philadelphia Stars 5-1
New Orleans Breakers 11-2
Michigan Panthers 6-1
Memphis Showboats 7-1
Houston Gamblers 19-2
Pittsburgh Maulers 12-1
*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Notable Players and Coaches
Longtime NFL and college fans should recognize several of the coaches roaming the USFL sidelines this season.
Todd Haley—who spent time with several teams, including the Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns—is back and shifting from the Bandits to the Showboats.
Other former NFL coaches helming USFL squads include Ray Horton, John DeFilippo and Mike Nolan.
Stallions head coach Skip Holtz, who coached at South Florida, Louisiana Tech and East Carolina, is back as Birmingham's coach. Mike Riley, Bart Andrus and Curtis Johnson round out the coaching pool.
Fans will see a few familiar faces on the field as well. Quarterback Kyle Lauletta is back with the Generals after spending time with the Pittsburgh Maulers and the New York Giants and Browns before that.
Running back Bo Scarbrough is back with Birmingham. He might be best known as a two-time national champion with Alabama, though he also spent time with the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.
Linebacker Reuben Foster was a first-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 and also played for the Washington Commanders. He'll make his USFL debut this season with the Maulers.
Defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche was a first-round pick of the Cardinals in 2016. He'll suit up for the Michigan Panthers this season.
Complete rosters can be found at the USFL's official website.
Schedule
Here's a look at the opening week's schedule and a quick preview of the 2023 USFL season schedule.
USFL Week 1
Saturday, April 15
Philadelphia Stars at Memphis Showboats
When: 4:30 p.m. ET
Line, Over/Under: Philadelphia -2.5, 39
TV: Fox
New Jersey Generals at Birmingham Stallions
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Line, Over/Under: Birmingham -5, 40
TV: Fox
Sunday, April 16
Michigan Panthers at Houston Gamblers
When: 12 p.m. ET
Line, Over/Under: Houston -1, 38.5
TV: NBC
Pittsburgh Maulers at New Orleans Breakers
When: 6:30 p.m. ET
Line, Over/Under: New Orleans -4, 37.5
TV: FS1
USFL Season Schedule
Week 1 - April 15 & 16
Week 2 - April 22 & 23
Week 3 - April 29 & 30
Week 4 - May 6 & 7
Week 5 - May 13 & 14
Week 6 - May 20 & 21
Week 7 - May 27 & 28
Week 8 - June 3 & 4
Week 9 - June 10 & 11
Week 10 - June 17 & 18
Semifinals - June 24 & 25
Championship - Saturday, July 1
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