2025 UFL Season: Week 8 Game Previews & Predictions
It was another exciting week of UFL action with three out of the four being one-possession games.
My predictions last week went much better as I was 4-0 in my selections, putting my record at 15-13 on the season.
This is the most crucial weekend of the season, with the Houston Roughnecks and Arlington Renegades’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Four other teams are battling for conference titles. Even the Memphis Showboats and San Antonio Brahmas are playing for the number one pick in the UFL College Draft.
Here’s a look at the Week 8 game previews and predictions:
Memphis Showboats-San Antonio Brahmas Game Details
Image via X @TheUFL
Location: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
Date and Time: Friday, May 16 at 8:00 pm EST
Network: FOX
Betting Odds via DraftKings: Brahmas -1.5, O/U 36.5
Key Injuries
After signing him recently, the Showboats will be without running back Wes Hills, who is out with a left calf injury. The only other player in question for Memphis is linebacker Zeke Vandenburgh, who is questionable with a left ankle injury.
The injury report for the Brahmas has not shortened up much, with five players being listed as out.
BoPete Keyes, FS (left hamstring)
Greg Ward Jr., WR (abdomen)
Anthony McFarland Jr., RB (left shoulder)
Mathew Sexton, WR (right hamstring)
Derrick Kelly II, G (left ankle)
Keys to Victory
Memphis is going to roll with Troy Williams at quarterback against San Antonio, which means more RPO opportunities on offense. The concern is that the Showboats were not as efficient on offense with Williams as they were with Dresser, but it has not worked out with any of the three quarterbacks who have played. Don’t be surprised if Matt Coghlin plays a significant factor in scoring all the Showboats’ points.
Kevin Hogan has held on to his job for another week in San Antonio as the Brahmas offense caught fire against the Defenders in Week 7, but they must cut down on the turnovers and mistakes. Only one time this season has San Antonio’s defense held a team under 20 points, so it’s the defense that has to get going with rattling Williams early and shutting down the running game that the Showboats will want to turn to.
Prediction: Brahmas 16, Showboats 12
Birmingham Stallions-St. Louis Battlehawks Game Details
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Location: The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri
Date and Time: Saturday, May 17 at 1:00 pm EST
Network: FOX
Betting Odds via DraftKings: Battlehawks -1.5, O/U 39.5
Key Injuries
Only two players are listed as out for the Stallions: wide receiver Amari Rodgers (left hamstring) and quarterback Alex McGough (right shoulder). The other quarterbacks, Case Cookus (right elbow, right knee) and Andrew Peasley (right knee), are full go and can play.
St. Louis’ defensive line will be short-staffed with Austin Faoliu (left knee) and T.J. Pesefea Jr. (left knee) both out for the game. Some good news on the offensive side of the ball as running back Jacob Saylors (right shoulder) and wide receiver Jahcour Pearson (left hip) are good to play.
Keys to Victory
The Stallions are rolling with Week 7 hero J’Mar Smith at quarterback as he makes his first start since 2023 and will be the team’s fourth different starting quarterback this year. St. Louis is all about running the ball, using Max Duggan’s legs to throw off rhythm, and converting the big plays, so Birmingham’s stout defense has one job: stop the run by loading the box.
Duggan has continued to show improvement each week, but needs to get more efficient with passing the ball. The Battlehawks will want to run the ball, but getting Pearson and Hakeem Butler going deep on passes will only open up the offense more. Defensively, the Battlehawks have to focus on stopping the run and forcing Smith to hold on to the ball longer than two seconds, eliminating the quick pass.
Prediction: Battlehawks 25, Stallions 19
Michigan Panthers-Houston Roughnecks Game Details
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Location: TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas
Date and Time: Saturday, May 17 at 1:00 pm EST
Network: FOX
Betting Odds via DraftKings: Panthers -6.5, O/U 43.5
Key Injuries
Michigan’s injury report is starting to clear up, with fewer guys out. Linebacker Frank Ginda is the only one listed as out with a left shoulder injury.
Houston has five players who will be out for the game with injuries.
Armani Marsh, CB (right knee, right quad)
T.J. Bradley, T (left shoulder)
Keenan Isaac, CB (left shoulder)
Isaiah Battle, T (dehydration)
Tashawn Bower, DE (right groin)
Keys to Victory
Nothing needs to change on offense as the system runs through Bryce Perkins. The future UFL MVP needs to continue to master the RPO play while killing defenses with his scrambling abilities. Michigan needs to do what Birmingham was able to do against Houston last week, and that’s pressure Jalan McClendon and force the Roughnecks to beat them on the ground.
McClendon has been solid since taking over the starting quarterback spot, but Houston needs to help him establish the running game. The Roughnecks’ defense is getting healthier in the secondary and will need to be ready to slow down the Panthers’ receivers.
Prediction: Panthers 22, Roughnecks 13
Arlington Renegades-D.C. Defenders Game Details
Image via X @XFLRenegades
Location: Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
Date and Time: Sunday, May 18 at 12:00 pm EST
Network: ABC
Betting Odds via DraftKings: Defenders -2.5, O/U 42.5
Key Injuries
The Renegades already have a banged-up backfield with Kalen Ballage out for the season, but now De’Veon Smith might not play after not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday with a left knee injury. Another noteworthy player on the injury report for Arlington is offensive tackle Adrian Ealy, who has been limited in practice with a left shoulder injury.
All five players on the Defenders’ injury report has been limited at some point during the Wednesday and Thursday practices.
Andre Mintze, DE (head)
Kiondre Thomas, CB (right knee)
Isaiah Johnson, CB (right knee)
Sam Kidd, SS (right foot)
Ben Bresnahan, TE (head)
Keys to Victory
Arlington’s offense needs to have faster starts to avoid putting its defense in a bad spot at the end of the game. The Renegades have the best defense in the UFL in the first 58 minutes of the game, but they struggle to close out games in the secondary, so guys like Ajene Harris need to create turnovers late in the game to slow down the Defenders.
Jordan Ta’amu is playing like an MVP candidate for D.C. and needs to keep slinging the ball around. The Defenders would like Abram Smith or Deon Jackson to start the running game. The secondary for D.C. will be tested against Luis Perez and the Renegades’ top-two passing offense on defense.
