By now, pro football fans in the United States have become accustomed to the presence of televised games during the spring and summer months. This trend has been in place since 2020 when the XFL returned for a brief stay following a 19-year hiatus.
The XFL promptly folded, but in came the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which lasted for a single season in 2021. In 2022, the United States Football League (USFL) returned, and in 2023, so did the XFL.
After one season of both the XFL and USFL operating near parallel schedules, the two leagues merged, creating the United Football League (UFL) for 2024.
Each league contained eight franchises, and those sixteen teams were winnowed down to the eight most attractive football markets, giving the UFL its best chance at survival.
Betting on United Football League games is expected to provide an assist in the ratings, a metric both leagues have historically struggled with. However, with less than three weeks until the opening kickoff of the 2024 UFL schedule, futures and betting lines are hard to come by.
Still, with UFL rosters now known, there is more than enough information available for the creation of football odds. Here is our take on how the 2024 season will play out.
Who Will Win The USFL Conference?
Three USFL teams are included in the titular division because the Houston Gamblers were swallowed up by the Houston Roughnecks when the final franchises were decided.
The Birmingham Stallions won the USFL Championship in 2022 and 2023 and are our projected division winner for 2024. The aforementioned Roughnecks are our pick to join them as the second seed in the UFL Playoffs.
Who Will Win The XFL Conference?
The XFL was won by the Arlington Renegades in 2023, and they are our current favorite to win the division. We also expect the St. Louis Battlehawks and DC Defenders to rank alongside or ahead of Arlington once UFL futures debut, as both performed admirably last year.
Each franchise in the XFL played home games and traveled when facing road teams. The USFL played at regional stadiums, often without much local fan support. This change will give XFL teams an early advantage over those that were a part of the USFL, and it has the potential to impact the ultimate postseason standings.
Who Will Win The UFL Championship?
We project the Stallions to win their playoff game and complete for their third league championship in as many years. Their three seasons of roster continuity will be tested against the best of the XFL, who we expect to be the Renegades.
If Bob Stoops and Arlington make it to the UFL Championship on June 16th, we believe they will win, no matter who their opponent is.
Sources: Sports Illustrated, ESPN