Going into week 9, every team in the USFL still has a chance for the post-season. All 8 teams fighting to get the top 4 spots for the post-season with two weeks remaining in regular season. Last season, the Generals won the North while the Stallions won the South. The Stars and Breakers took the remaining two spots. We will help sort it all out in week nine on the road OF the search for the holy grail by all 8 teams.

Only 4 will have a chance at the USFL hardware!!!

WEEK 9 USFL POWER RANKINGS

#1. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (6-2) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Another Alex McGough comeback and another Stallions comeback over the Philadelphia Stars. Last year’s championship, the Stallions managed to comeback and win it all last year as the Stars were the victim of seeing Stallions.

The Stallions have a one game edge over the division, but the rear view mirror has three teams closer than it appears all with records of 5-3. The Stallions have the offense to repeat as champions. If you’re a Stallions fan, you like to see their defense catch up to the offense. Could the Stallions get Scooby Wright, line backer, back for the post-season?

The Stallions safety had a big game last weekend to help them keep their team’s hex over the Stars. Nate Brooks had six tackles and an interception.

#2. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (5-3) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Showboats are the hottest team in the league as now they have won 5 straight after opening up 0-3. What has the Showboats cruising during this 5 game winning streak? The Showboats found their quarterback with Cole Kelley. Kelley has only thrown 6 touchdown passes but is 5-1 as the starter. The Showboats have a nice running game with Kerrith Whyte who ran the ball over 100 yards last week versus the Generals with a touchdown.

Whyte has done better than the first week starter for the Showboats’ Alex Collins, former NFL running back. Derrick Dillon has given the Showboats nice field position in the return game. Then the Showboats stout defense has found their identity after getting off to a bad start. They now have improved to one of the best units in the USFL.

#3. HOUSTON GAMBLERS (5-3) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Gamblers were on the ropes last week versus the fighting Pittsburgh Maulers. The Gamblers needed the legs of Mark Thompson with which he seems like he is carrying this Houston team down to the finish line.

Will Hills leads the USFL with 613 rushing yards. Mark Thompson of the Gamblers has 514 rushing yards while playing 2 games less than Hills of the Breakers. Hills averages 4.0 yards per carry. Thompson averages 5.2 yards per carry. Thompson has 13 rushing touchdowns compared to Hills’ 9. You wonder why the Gamblers have Thompson carrying the load right now. With a log jam in the South division, the Gamblers will need their quarterback to step up and defense with a rematch against the Stallions on the horizon. Remember the Gamblers beat the Stallions in the first go around this season.

#4. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (5-3) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Finally the Breakers’ losing streak comes to an end as the team came close to losing the game as well. The Breakers looked like they were on cruise control last weekend versus the Panthers. Then the Panthers made a come back and launched a Hail Mary pass at the end in hopes for a stunning upset. Breakers hold on barely, but have to be relieved at the same time since once upon a time ago they started off 4-0. Last 4 weeks they have gone 1-3.

Here’s Johnny!!! The Breakers needed Johnnie Dixon to stop the bleeding. Dixon had two touchdown catches to help the Breakers find the win column once again.

The Breakers are 5-3 & so are the Gamblers and the Showboats while the Stallions are 6-2. Only two games left in a crowded division fighting for two spots. The Breakers win over the Panthers could be a season saver.

#5. PHILADELPHIA STARS (4-4) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

I may as well have the entire North division at the bottom of the USFL power rankings going into week 9. The Stars winning streak comes to an end against their kryptonite, the Stallions.

Remember the old Nintendo game Pro Wrestling? The Star Man was no match for King Slender who would be the Stallions wrestler. I like the Amazon guy, not the delivery guy. The Stars had the lead late in the game but the Stallions come back like in the championship and break the hearts of Case Cookus and company.

The Stars defense kept their team in it as the safety, Cody Brown, had 8 tackles and a forced fumble. The Stars defense did their thing by forcing turnovers. Case Cookus had another monster game versus the Stallions, but he threw an interception. Any mistakes versus the Stallions can cost you the game. The Stars missed out on a few opportunities they wish they had back.

#6. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (3-5) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Panthers, Maulers, and Generals… you can probably put them in any order at the bottom of the power rankings. The Panthers do have one more victory than the Maulers and the Generals. After starting off 2-0 out of the gate, the Panthers have gone 1-5 the last 6 weeks. If the season ended today, the Panthers would be in the playoffs. The Panthers could help their cause this week versus the Maulers with a win to solidify the number two spot in the North. Maulers won the first game when these two teams met. A Mauler loss would send them home for the post-season because Pittsburgh would have the tie breaker. The Panthers made a nice comeback against the Breakers last week but fell short as the Hail Mary did not connect. One Panther defensive player continues to elevate his game. Frank Ginda is now on the same level as the great Frank the Tank.

Frank Ginda’s 11 tackles versus the Breakers – 8 of them were solo. Ginda also had an interception as he could be the guy that helps the Panthers get into the post-season.

#7. PITTSBURGH MAULERS (2-6) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Maulers blew another late lead this time to the Gamblers in a close one with a 20-19 outcome. The Maulers have lost three in a row. Can this Maulers team win two games in a row in the final slate on their schedule? It’s the same old story for the Maulers last week, nice drives but settling for three points instead on converting touchdowns in the red zone. Bailey Gaither led the Maulers offense with 6 catches for 70 yards.

Gaither had a 31 yard reception that set up the Maulers in scoring position, but they settled for the field goal. The Maulers kicker is pretty good, but he missed a field goal which is another 3 points and the team lost by 1. The Maulers offense may only need to average like 20 points per game. With that defense they could win games.

Ray Horton, head coach of the Maulers, could have his team learn to finish games by playing Mortal Kombat. Scorpion wears and supports Mauler colors. Words yelled by the coach late in games should be “FINISH THEM!”

#8. NEW JERSEY GENERALS (2-6) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Generals should start taking auditions at the quarterback position. Bring in the cast of Jersey Shore to see what kind of talent they can assemble. The Generals did make a change behind center as they gave Dakota Prukop another whirl. Only problem was the Generals played the hottest team in the league, the Showboats. The Generals defense kept their team in it as DJ Daniel had an interception. Prukop figured out things in the second half as he had a nice game overall passing for three touchdown passes and made one mistake with an interception.

Prukop hit his wide receiver Alonzo Moore with a 17 yard touchdown strike for one of those TD passes. The Showboats answered every time the Generals tried to get the momentum. The Generals are lucky they play in the North division. They still have a shot for that number two playoff spot in the North. With only one team playing at a 500 record while the rest of the division have lost more games than won. With two weeks left, the Generals could find a way to win both games & then anything can happen. The Stars did well last season with the number two playoff spot in the North last year.