Five things to watch for in Week 8 of the 2025 UFL season
Since the start of the 2025 UFL season, St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht has been preparing his team for this weekend's matchup.
Becht has built the Battlehawks to win an UFL title, St. Louis will have to dethrone the current champion Birmingham Stallions in order to do that. They'll get an opportunity to see if they're up to that task this weekend when they host the Stallions at The Dome at America's Center on Saturday (1 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
"They're the reigning champions, so if you want to be where they are, you've got to take it from them," Becht said.
[MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League ]
The Stallions won the first and only matchup between these two franchises last season, a 30-26 victory in Birmingham in Week 7 of the regular season. St. Louis failed to make it to the championship game last year, losing to the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL Conference title game, 25-15.
However, with both teams sitting at 5-2 and tied for the lead atop their respective conferences, Saturday's game could be a preview of this year's championship tilt. The Battlehawks hope to play in that one, with the highly anticipated contest taking place in St. Louis. However, Becht understands there's still a lot of work to do.
"We know how good Birmingham is, but we're a good team, too," Becht said. "They're going to have to worry about us as well, so it's going to be a great matchup."
Elsewhere, the Brahmas (1-6) kick things off by hosting the Memphis Showboats (1-6) on Friday (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). On Saturday, the Michigan Panthers (5-2) hit the road to face the Houston Roughnecks (3-4) in a game that'll be broadcast simultaneously (1 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app) alongside Stallions-Battlehawks.
Things come to a close with the DC Defenders (5-2) hosting the Arlington Renegades (3-4) on Sunday (noon ET).
Here's a closer look at five things to watch for in Week 8: 1. Alex McGough returns, but J'Mar Smith to start for Stallions
Out since suffering a separated shoulder in Week 2, Birmingham's starting quarterback McGough returned to practice this week, giving head coach Skip Holtz a tough decision to make as to who to start against St. Louis in an all-important contest with huge postseason implications.
Last week's starter, Case Cookus, could not finish the game due to an injured elbow on his throwing arm. Cookus has also been nursing a balky knee and was limited in practice this week.
Smith, who helped lead Birmingham to a USFL title in 2022, subbed in for Cookus and helped lead the Stallions to a comeback victory over Houston in Week 7. Backup QB Andrew Peasley also returned to practice this week after suffering a knee injury in Week 6.
The Stallions released Jalen Morton to make room on the roster for McGough. Holtz says he's carrying four QBs on the roster this week because he doesn't know who's healthy enough to play, but Smith will get the start against the Battlehawks. "The only healthy guy I've got right now is J'Mar Smith," Holtz said. "He's the healthiest quarterback right now and gives us the best chance to win." 2. QB Troy Williams to start for Showboats
The quarterback carousel churned again for Memphis, as interim head coach Jim Turner made the decision to start Williams this weekend against the Brahmas. Williams split time with E.J. Perry to start the year.
The Utah product has played in three games, making one start and completing 16 of 27 passes for 180 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. Perry will serve as the backup and Dresser Winn, who started the last three games but missed practice time this week with a knee injury, will serve as the emergency third-string quarterback.
The Showboats will also be without running back Wes Hills due to a calf issue. For San Antonio, star running back Anthony McFarland (shoulder) and receiver Mathew Sexton (hamstring) are inactive. 3. UFL's leading tackler Frank Ginda out for year with shoulder injury
Michigan will have to play the rest of the season without its leading tackler after Ginda was placed on IR due to a left shoulder injury. Ginda leads the league with 61 combined tackles, including four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
The Panthers already lost last year's UFL Defensive Player of the Year in edge rusher Breeland Speaks when he was placed on IR with an unspecified injury.
However, the Panthers did get an explosive playmaker back, with running back Matt Colburn returning to the active roster after missing five games because of a shoulder issue. To make room, the Panthers waived running back Jaden Sheridan, who was claimed by the Brahmas. 4. WR Jacob Harris returns to action for San Antonio
Speaking of the Brahmas, one of the team's leading receivers will return to action this week. Big-bodied pass catcher Harris returned to the active roster this week after missing Week 7 because of a foot injury.
A fourth-round selection by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris spent two seasons in L.A. and one year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harris leads San Antonio with 247 receiving yards on 15 receptions, averaging 16.5 yards per catch.
Kevin Hogan is set to make his third start at quarterback for San Antonio. The Brahmas also waived safety BoPete Keys (hamstring) this week.
St. Louis signed a familiar face to the roster, adding depth to the defensive backfield with the addition of Micah Abraham. A sixth-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts last season, he was cut during final roster cuts. He spent part of the 2024 season on the practice squad with the Cincinnati Bengals and signed a deal with the team in January. However, he was released by the Bengals this week.
Micah Abraham, 24, finished with 150 combined tackles and 12 interceptions during his college career at Marshall. He joins a St. Louis defense that's allowed just one touchdown over the last two games. To make room on the roster, the Battlehawks waived LB Olakunle Fatukasi.
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams .
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience United Football League
recommended
Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
6 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Best NBA Finals Game 1 Player Props: Chet Holmgren Poised For Big Night?
Thunder F Chet Holmgren is a tempting option in multiple player prop markets tonight after averaging 18 points and 6 rebounds per game vs. Minnesota in the Western Conference Finals. Thunder F Chet Holmgren is a tempting option in multiple player prop markets tonight after averaging 18 points and 6 rebounds per game vs. Minnesota in the Western Conference Finals. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. With the NBA Finals getting underway tonight in Oklahoma City (tipoff: 8:30 p.m. ET; TV: ABC), it's time to go on the record with our picks and best bets for Game 1 of Pacers vs. Thunder. Will stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton continue their remarkable playoff runs by once again putting up big numbers? Or do the role players in this series make for the best NBA Finals Game 1 player prop bets? Chet Holmgren o16.5 Points (-105 at DraftKings) -- 1 unit The versatile Thunder big man quietly was as effective in the Western Conference Finals as any player besides SGA. Holmgren averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds per game vs. the Timberwolves, and he scored 20-plus points while playing 30 minutes or more in three of the last four games of that series. He finished with 22 points in Game 2, 21 in G4 and 22 in G5 (when he easily cashed both props we recommended). Thanks to the attention that SGA and Jalen Williams command, Holmgren gets great looks in this offense, regardless of the opponent. In Game 5 vs. the Wolves, for example, Holmgren went 8-for-13 from the floor, with five dunk/layup attempts, four 3-pointers and four mid-range looks. His shot diet was even more favorable in Game 4 vs. Minnesota, with a 9-for-14 night that featured eight layup/dunk attempts and four 3-pointers. In what appears to be a favorable matchup vs. the Pacers, we expect Holmgren to get plenty more of the best shots in basketball. Holmgren did not play in either regular-season matchup between these teams this year, but he scored 15 points apiece in two games vs. the Pacers in 2023-24. While Holmgren is not the 3-point threat or paint presence that Karl-Anthony Towns is, KAT's dominance of the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals (the NYK big man averaged 24.8 points on 50 percent FG shooting and 12.2 boards per game vs. Indiana) still bodes well for Holmgren's prospects as a scorer and rebounder in this series. One of the biggest questions regarding Holmgren is his usage, as OKC has another quality big in Isaiah Hartenstein. But Thunder coach Mark Daigneault showed in the WCF that he'll lean on whoever gives his team the best chance to win. Case in point: While Holmgren has averaged at least 28 minutes per game in each of the Thunder's three Western Conference playoff series, Hartenstein played just under 20 minutes per game in the conference final matchup vs. Minnesota. Against a Pacers team that spreads the floor with shooters at all times, there's a good chance Holmgren will log 30-plus minutes per night. For a player with a realistic chance to consistently score 20 or more in this series -- especially if (when?) these games become track meets -- Holmgren at -105 to go over 16.5 points feels like a slam-dunk. Holmgren's Points + Rebounds props are another good way to go tonight, including over 26.5 P+R (+102 at FD) and over 27.5 P+R (+124 at FD). S. Gilgeous-Alexander o41.5 Pts + Assists (+108 at FD) -- 1 unit Even if you're bullish on SGA to light up a Pacers team that he torched for 33 and 45 points in two regular-season games this year, he's hardly tempting at -110 to go over 33.5 points tonight. That said, after recording 53 P+A (45 points, 8 assists) in the first OKC-IND meeting of the season on December 26 and 41 (33 points, 8 assists) in the rematch on March 29, I expect the 2025 NBA MVP to have a big Game 1 as both a passer and scorer. Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard deserves every bit of credit he's gotten for how well he defended Jalen Brunson in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He limited the Knicks' top scorer to 9 points in 44 partial possessions when guarded by Nembhard in that game, according to But SGA is A) coming off a terrific offensive series vs. a good defensive team in Minnesota and B) he had plenty of regular-season success vs. Nembhard when these teams met earlier this year. On December 26, in 32.8 partial possessions when guarded by Nembhard, SGA had 16 points and two assists on 7-for-8 FG shooting (2-for-2 3PT). Nembhard held SGA to 11 points on 4-for-10 FG shooting and 1 assist in 37.2 partial possessions on March 29, but the Thunder scored 51 points as a team in those possesions (an effective clip of 1.37 points per possession). And we haven't even mentioned Nembhard's physicality, which is a huge reason he's an effective 1-on-1 defender. That could easily get him in foul trouble against one of the most effective players in the league at getting to the free-throw line, though. The other reason to back SGA tonight -- and throughout this series, assuming his over/under prop lines remain somewhat reasonable -- is how Indiana fared against the last two star guards it faced this postseason. Style-wise, there's no mistaking Gilgeous-Alexander for either Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell or Brunson. Still, those players' success against Indiana is nevertheless worth noting here. Mitchell averaged 34.2 points and 3.8 assists per game in five games vs. the Pacers in the Eastern Conference semis (39.75 ppg if we exclude his hobbled 20-minute appearance in Game 4). Brunson averaged 30.7 points and 5.7 assists per game vs. Indiana this postseason while making more than half of his 20.8 FGA per game in the ECF. Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
USA Today
20 minutes ago
- USA Today
Kyle Joseph Schwarber Player Props: June 5, Phillies vs. Blue Jays
Kyle Joseph Schwarber Player Props: June 5, Phillies vs. Blue Jays Kyle Joseph Schwarber's Philadelphia Phillies face the Toronto Blue Jays on June 5 at 3:07 p.m. ET, and will see starting pitcher Chris Bassitt on the mound. Schwarber put up one hit in his last game, going 1-for-4. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Kyle Joseph Schwarber player prop bets. Kyle Schwarber paces the Phillies with 19 home runs and 44 runs batted in. Kyle Schwarber ranks fourth in homers and ninth in RBI among all batters in baseball. Watch tonight's Phillies game on Fubo! Kyle Joseph Schwarber Prop Bets and Odds Hits Prop: 0.5 hits (Over odds: -154) 0.5 hits (Over odds: -154) Home Runs Prop: 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +310) 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +310) RBI Prop: 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +150) 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +150) Runs Prop: 0.5 runs (Over odds: -105) 0.5 runs (Over odds: -105) Total Bases Prop: 0.5 total bases (Over odds: -161) 0.5 total bases (Over odds: -161) Stolen Bases Prop: 0.5 stolen bases (Over odds: +1250) How to Watch Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays Matchup: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays Time: 3:07 p.m. ET 3:07 p.m. ET Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025 Thursday, June 5, 2025 TV Channel: SNET and NBCS-PH SNET and NBCS-PH Live Stream: Fubo (Watch now! - Regional restrictions may apply) Kyle Joseph Schwarber vs. Chris Bassitt In his career versus Chris Bassitt, Kyle Joseph Schwarber is 5 for 13 with a double and two home runs. Against Chris Bassitt last season, Kyle Joseph Schwarber went 3 for 5 with a double and two home runs. Kyle Joseph Schwarber prop bet insights Kyle Joseph Schwarber has recorded a hit 43 times this season in 61 games played (70.5%), including 12 multi-hit games (19.7%). Out of the 61 games he has appeared in this season, he's gone yard in 18 contests (29.5%), leaving the ballpark in 7% of his trips to the dish. In 59.0% of his games this season (36 of 61), Kyle Joseph Schwarber has scored at least a run, and in eight of those games (13.1%) he recorded more than one run scored. He has notched at least one RBI in 45.9% of his games this season (28 of 61), with two or more RBI in 11 of those contests (18.0%). He has also driven in three or more of his team's runs in five contests. Kyle Joseph Schwarber has gone down on strikes in 70.5% of his 61 games this season, with more than one strikeout in 31.1% of them (19). MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 12:12 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Kyle Joseph Schwarber stats against the Blue Jays Blue Jays starter: Chris Bassitt
USA Today
35 minutes ago
- USA Today
Trea Vance Turner Player Props: June 5, Phillies vs. Blue Jays
Trea Vance Turner Player Props: June 5, Phillies vs. Blue Jays Trea Vance Turner is trying to get back on track following a hitless performance in his previous game (0 for 4). His Philadelphia Phillies square off versus Chris Bassitt and the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at 3:07 p.m. ET on SNET and NBCS-PH. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Trea Vance Turner player prop bets. Trea Turner paces the Phillies with a team-best batting average of .300. He has seven home runs and 28 RBI. Watch tonight's Phillies game on Fubo! Trea Vance Turner Prop Bets and Odds Hits Prop: 1.5 hits (Over odds: +195) 1.5 hits (Over odds: +195) Home Runs Prop: 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +800) 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +800) RBI Prop: 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +180) 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +180) Runs Prop: 0.5 runs (Over odds: +105) 0.5 runs (Over odds: +105) Total Bases Prop: 1.5 total bases (Over odds: +120) 1.5 total bases (Over odds: +120) Stolen Bases Prop: 0.5 stolen bases (Over odds: +230) How to Watch Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays Matchup: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays Time: 3:07 p.m. ET 3:07 p.m. ET Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025 Thursday, June 5, 2025 TV Channel: SNET and NBCS-PH SNET and NBCS-PH Live Stream: Fubo (Watch now! - Regional restrictions may apply) Trea Vance Turner vs. Chris Bassitt In his career versus Chris Bassitt, Trea Vance Turner is 4 for 9 with a double. Against Chris Bassitt last year, Trea Vance Turner was 2 for 3 with a double. Trea Vance Turner prop bet insights Trea Vance Turner has a hit in 72.9% of his 59 games this season, with multiple base knocks in 33.9% of them (20). He has homered in six of 59 games in 2025 (10.2%), which is 2.6% of his trips to the plate. Trea Vance Turner has touched home plate in 32 of 59 games this year, with multiple runs scored in nine of them. He has driven in a run in 19 of 59 games this season, with multiple RBI in seven of them. He has also produced three or more of his team's runs in two contests. Trea Vance Turner has gone down on strikes in 55.9% of his 59 games this year, with more than one strikeout in 22.0% of those contests (13). MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 12:11 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Trea Vance Turner stats against the Blue Jays Blue Jays starter: Chris Bassitt
