USFL Championship Stars vs Stallions: Both Have What It Takes

• Last week, the Stars defensed posted two interceptions and two sacks
• Stallions defense kept the Breakers to just a field goal in the second half last week
• Watch Stars vs Stallions live on Sunday, July 3, 2022, at 7:30 PM ET on FOX

Stars vs Stallions Odds

Odds taken from BetMGM. Click on the links below to head to the sportsbook and place your bet.

Stars vs Stallions Pick

The Stallions will most likely win this game outright, but the Stars have what it takes to keep it close so expect them to at least cover this spread.

Philadelphia Stars (+3.5)

USFL Player Maurice Alexander (3) as quarterback on the FIU Panthers

Congrats to the USFL and its coaches and players for going the distance, this twelfth week of spring football the league Championship matchup between the North Division’s Philadelphia Stars and the South’s Birmingham Stallions, two teams who have overcome a lot to get there.

The underdog Stars won the USFL North Divisional Finals last week in a game that saw big plays from all three phases of the game including an 88-yard punt return for a TD by WR Maurice Alexander and a defensive showing that included two interceptions and two sacks.

It was all Stallions in the South Divisional Finals as Birmingham’s offense jumped to a first half lead and its defense kept the New Orleans Breakers to just a field goal in the second half, which could be the key to winning this one against a Stars team that scores over 26 points per game. 

Here are our best predictions, odds, and picks for Stars vs Stallions – good luck, win big!

Breakers vs Stallions Predictions

Can the Stars QB Case Cookus Step Up in the Postseason?

USFL fans have enjoyed watching Philadelphia Stars QB Case Cookus step into the starting role after Bryan Scott’s season ended due to injury, a big blow to the team if Cookus had not been the right man for the job, his 12 passing TDs second most in the league.

Now this former Northern Arizona star and undrafted free agent gets to play for the USFL Championship, his 62.5 completion percentage an impressive accomplishment given how few reps Cookus has had with his receivers, yet still he has 1,334 passing yards in 9 games.

The Stars face a tough Stallions defense that keeps opposing teams to just 173 passing yards and less than 17 points per game, so this will be the ultimate test for Cookus the backup to prove that he has the ability to win big games as the starter for HC Bart Andrus.

Can the Stallions Offense Start Fast and Stay Ahead of the Stars?

The Stallions went 9-1 during the regular season and had a habit of getting behind early in games and then coming back in the second half, a strategy that is exhilarating to watch for fans but is not a sustainable way to stack wins, which is why their shift from that last week was key.

Against the Breakers, HC Skip Holtz’s game plan generated a 21-14 first half lead and then DC John Chavis’s defense kept the Breakers to just a field goal in the second half, a far better strategy that might be tougher to execute against the Stars who score 26.2 points per game.

Be sure to check out Birmingham QB J’mar Smith, the 3rd most productive at his position in the league with 131 completions off 239 attempts (54.8%) for 1,573 yards and 10 TDs with 6 interceptions, so far with a QBR of 118.9 after averaging almost 175 passing yards per game.

Stars Key Player: (WR) Maurice Alexander

The special teams played a key role in the Stars win last week, the prime example being the 87-yard punt return for a touchdown made by WR Maurice Alexander, a thrilling moment that helped take the wind out of the Generals’ sails, someone to also watch in this final game.

Alexander played his college football at Florida International, the 5’ 11” 180 pound speedster just 25 years old and this season he has caught 20 balls for Philadelphia for 234 yards and 2 TDs, plus he’s posted 787 kick return yards and 164 punt return yards on special teams.

In a tight game, a playmaking kick returner like Alexander can make all the difference, his game breaking ability able to shift the momentum of the game plus he routinely gives his team great field position, an exciting part of this Philadelphia spring football experiment. 

Stallions Key Player: (WR) Victor Bolden Jr.

One of the most breathtaking moments (of many) in last week’s South Division Finals was a sensational 90-yard kick return by WR Victor Bolden Jr. for a touchdown, a special teams play that helped his Stallions secure a spot in the Championship game against the Philly Stars.

Bolden has some NFL camp experience and some practice squad reps and even posted 535 NFL return yards, the majority of those for the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent pickup out of Oregon State until an injury and some off-field issues caused him to be waived.

Now Bolden made the 2022 USFL All-Special Teams squad and that run to the house last week was typical of his playmaking ability, this season with 42 catches for 415 yards and a TD plus almost 800 return yards, an all-purpose player worth watching in this final game of the season.

How to Watch Stars vs Stallions