One other week of motion is within the books, which implies it is time for one more spherical of UFL energy rankings.
Week 3 featured two one-point video games and one other one-score recreation, with three of the 4 matchups having a landing scored within the closing couple of minutes of the sport. It was an thrilling week, to say the least, for soccer followers.
[MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League]
That mentioned, it is time for my fourth energy rankings listing:
Present odds to win 2025 title: +3500
Brahmas head coach Wade Phillips went to Payton Pardee, the grandson of legendary Corridor of Fame coach Jack Pardee, to get his offense up and going — and it labored. The youthful Pardee took over as playcaller and offensive coordinator for San Antonio.
Nonetheless, it was Jordan Williams’ interception that he returned for a landing that put the Brahmas again right into a one-score recreation with probably the greatest groups within the USFL Convention. Nonetheless, San Antonio is certainly one of two winless groups within the league after three weeks — a far cry from the XFL Convention title workforce it was a yr in the past.
With three seconds remaining within the recreation and after making three area targets earlier within the recreation, San Antonio kicker Donald De La Haye missed a 53-yard kick that might’ve despatched the sport to additional time.
Present odds to win 2025 title: +4000
The Showboats have been proven up at residence by a workforce that had gained simply two video games over the previous two seasons.
Quarterback E.J. Perry threw two pricey interceptions, with one being returned for a landing. In complete, the Showboats dedicated three turnovers. Whereas the passing game wasn’t as potent as it was a week ago, the dearth of speeding assault ought to lift an alarm for Memphis followers.
Former Tulsa working again Deneric Prince ran for simply 16 yards on 12 carries, and the offense averaged simply 2.8 speeding yards per carry in opposition to the Houston protection.
Present odds to win 2025 title: +3500
The Roughnecks earned simply their second win in two years, and it was the protection that led the way in which. Former Texas A&M security Leon O’Neal’s pick-six gave Houston the lead. A change at quarterback from Anthony Brown to Nolan Henderson meant securing the victory, a lot in order that Henderson looks like the starter for head coach CJ Johnson’s Roughnecks for the “foreseeable future.”
“Coach talked about grit within the locker room, and I believe we displayed that basically nicely,” O’Neal mentioned. “We’re nonetheless a younger workforce. We’re nonetheless coming collectively, studying … to really feel one another out, [but] we’re collectively, man. We’re a household.”
Present odds to win 2025 title: +600
The Panthers survived a late comeback try by the Brahmas to stay tied for first place within the USFL Convention. All three touchdowns scored within the win got here on the bottom, with quarterback Bryce Perkins scoring twice whereas finishing 17 of 23 passes for 193 yards.
The Panthers dominated the center half, outscoring the Brahmas 23-12 within the second and third quarters.
Former LSU QB Danny Etling received the beginning forward of Perkins, however for the second time in three weeks, it was Perkins who made the distinction for head coach Mike Nolan. Maybe now he’ll cease enjoying musical chairs on the place and hand the job to the very best participant on his offense.
Present odds to win 2025 title: +550
The Renegades protection shut out the defending league champion Stallions within the first half, however Arlington failed to shut out what seemed like a defensive gem till the ultimate minutes of the sport. A usually stout speeding assault for the Renegades amassed simply 74 yards on 23 rushes, and their offense failed to attain a landing within the loss.
“It’s terribly disappointing while you lead the sport till the final 20 seconds to lose it,” head coach Bob Stoops mentioned. “It’s laborious to take. I instructed (the workforce) the areas that we had our probabilities to seal the sport that didn’t work. Both facet of the ball may have made one other play to win it.”
Present odds to win 2025 title: +260
The Stallions didn’t lead their home-opener in opposition to the Renegades till the ultimate 26 seconds of regulation and narrowly pulled out a win. The Stallions haven’t misplaced a recreation at Protecting Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, since Might 2023.
With 2023 USFL MVP Alex McGough out with an harm and former Ole Miss QB Matt Corral taking on in every of the Stallions’ victories, head coach Skip Holtz is looking for out what his offense must seem like. He discovered success with an empty set that featured two tight ends — 02 personnel — that made his offense go for the ultimate drive and two-point conversion to seal the victory.
“I don’t know what we’re proper now,” Holtz mentioned. “With Matt at quarterback, are we ok to methodically transfer the ball down the sector? Can we must be a giant play offense? Are we gonna be hit and miss? I don’t know.”
Present odds to win 2025 title: +270
The Battlehawks had not misplaced a regular-season recreation at residence since April 16, 2023, however then the Defenders confirmed as much as The Dome at America’s Middle this weekend and set the variety of days with no loss again to zero.
St. Louis dedicated 4 turnovers within the loss after having not dedicated a single turnover within the first two video games of the season. What’s extra? Anthony Becht’s squad allowed 15 factors scored off of these turnovers, whereas the offense was held to a season-low 173 complete yards.
With the announcement that the UFL title recreation can be held of their hometown for a second consecutive yr, the primary actuality verify of the season got here for the Battlehawks, who may but watch one other workforce take residence a championship of their lounge.
Present odds to win 2025 title: +270
Jordan Ta’amu hit Ty Scott for a 62-yard achieve, and people sorts of performs have been indicative of how the day would go for what turned the final undefeated workforce within the league. In his first recreation as defensive coordinator, Blake Williams’ unit stopped the league’s greatest offense from doing a lot in any respect — specifically within the run recreation.
St. Louis rushed for simply 45 yards on 16 rushes in opposition to the Defenders and held Battlehawks star rusher Jacob Saylors to only one single speeding yard on seven makes an attempt.
In a recreation to resolve who’s the very best workforce within the league by way of almost a 3rd of the season, the Defenders marched into probably the most intimidating away environment in spring soccer and left little question that the very best within the UFL calls The District residence.
RJ Younger is a nationwide faculty soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Observe him on Twitter at @RJ_Young and subscribe to “The RJ Young Show” on YouTube.
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