Alt-Football Digest’s UFL Week Eight Power Rankings

The Alt-Football Digest staff has come closer than ever before to a consensus for the rankings this week. Nevertheless, there are some differences of opinion at the top. This week’s esteemed voters are:

-Anthony Miller

-John Lewis

-Sam Just

-Mike Mitchell

-Greg Parks

The collective rankings are based on a scoring system that awards eight points for a first place vote, seven for second, so on and so forth. The team’s ranking the previous week can be found in parenthesis after their current ranking. These will be updated each week throughout the regular season. Comments from the panel will follow each team’s place in the rankings.

The rankings after week one can be found here.

Please share your own Power Rankings and comments below!

1 (1) Michigan Panthers (38 points - highest rank: 1 - lowest rank: 3)

“Bryce Perkins’ last second scratch from the Roughnecks game sparked some controversy, but that didn’t stop Danny Etling from lighting up the scoreboard with three touchdowns. The Panthers dominated on all three phases of the game and if Perkins is 100% healthy for the playoffs, they could dethrone the Stallions.” (AM)

“Even without Bryce Perkins, the Panthers looked good against Houston. This team seems primed for a spot in the UFL title game.” (JL)

“The Panthers are undefeated since doing away with their two quarterback system this season. They opened the year 3-2 before moving away from this approach and allowing one quarterback to take all the snaps in a game. This included Bryce Perkins winning two games, and Danny Etling coming in to play Houston. With the way these two players have played at times there is a chance the Panthers see multiple quarterbacks earn NFL contracts.” (SJ)

“Michigan took care of business in week eight, proving that its team is more than just the Bryce Perkins Show. A significant reason for the team's success is its offensive line, which is arguably the best overall unit in the UFL this season. However, the Panthers' defense and special teams also continue to make game-changing plays. Michigan's ultimate measuring stick won't come until they vanquish the Stallions head-to-head. Due to Kendrick Lamar, Ford Field won't be available for the Panthers if they win the USFL regular season crown, thereby rendering Michigan's week nine showdown with Birmingham a preliminary squabble-up before the Panthers' potential moment of euphoria arrives in the postseason.” (MM)

“The Panthers handled their business against the Houston Roughnecks, even without Bryce Perkins. They’ve clinched a playoff berth and will play in Birmingham no matter how the game goes against the Stallions this weekend. Nevertheless, given Michigan’s difficulties against that team the last few years, you have to imagine the game this weekend is meaningful to prove to themselves that they can actually beat Birmingham.” (GP)

2 (T2) D.C. Defenders (35 points)

All five voters had D.C. in second place.

“There is legitimate concern about the defense as it seems like game after game over the last month they have allowed over 20 points easily. Luckily they have Jordan Ta’amu, who is poised to potentially steal the UFL MVP away from Perkins.” (AM)

“The Defenders escaped with a win against Arlington. Should just be tune-up time for the next couple of weeks.” (JL)

“I have seen enough: Offer Shannon Harris the full-time head coaching position going forward. Winning six games out of eight and sitting with one of the top records in the league, Harris's team has shown to be well-prepared, and quick to adjust when needed. What began as a season full of question marks has quickly become a feather in the cap for Harris. It’s unfortunate they will not be allowed to host the XFL Championship game due to scheduling conflicts.” (SJ)

“Jordan Ta'amu is having the best season of his pro career, topping what he did two years ago as the XFL MVP. D.C. has needed Ta'amu and offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss to be at a top level all season long. To win a championship, the Defenders' offensive duo must maintain that high standard, especially since DC cannot host a home conference playoff game.” (MM)

“D.C. and Arlington had another high-scoring affair this past weekend. D.C.’s defense still makes me nervous and they’ll be tested in week 10 against St. Louis, a preview of the XFL Conference Championship game. Will this Defenders defense be able to contain Max Duggan’s running ability? That could be the difference in the game – and the difference in who finishes first in the Conference.” (GP)

3 (4) St. Louis Battlehawks (32 points - highest rank: 1 - lowest rank: 3)

“Even if Max Duggan isn’t the best passer in the UFL, the man knows how to win. The Battlehawks have not finished a season under .500 in spring football and continue to be one of the best teams in modern spring football history.” (AM)

“Max Duggan might be the X-factor for the Battlehawks, and that could mean something good or bad but against Birmingham, he showed he can have an OK performance and still get the W.” (JL)

“The Battlehawks remain the class of the UFL, after a head-to-head match up with the Birmingham Stallions. If there was one remaining question about St. Louis, it was their ability to play against high-level competition; beating Birmingham helped quiet these doubts. Duggan has a lot of room to improve but has played well enough to keep St. Louis winning games.” (SJ)

“One could argue that the Battlehawks' 29-28 victory over Birmingham last weekend is the best regular-season win of St. Louis's five-year existence in the spring. Anthony Becht's squad, like its great city, showed a ton of resilience after being hit with adversity. It's now or never for St. Louis to get to a title game and potentially win it all. The field is set, with St. Louis guaranteed the home-field advantage in the postseason.” (MM)

“St. Louis has a potent rushing attack with Jacob Saylors and Max Duggan, but they haven’t quite figured out their passing attack yet. Can they continue to get by with Duggan’s passing as it is? The good news for St. Louis is they’ve got home field advantage, which should help them Friday against San Antonio (a potential trap game) and in the XFL Conference Championship.” (GP)

4. (T2) Birmingham Stallions (25 points)

All five voters ranked Birmingham in fourth place.

“They are 5-3 and technically in fourth place, but they played St. Louis tough. The Stallions are getting healthy at the right time and might have their quarterback Alex McGough back soon enough. Birmingham is still a dangerous team come the playoffs.” (AM)

“No matter how the rest of the season and post season shakes out, Skip Holtz should be the Coach of the Year after having so many different QBs get playing time and still punching a ticket to the playoffs with two weeks remaining.” (JL)

“A loss to the Battlehawks results in the Stallions sliding one spot for me. While it was a close game decided by just one point on the road, this was a game I expected a veteran Stallions roster to prove they were more experienced than the Battlehawks. However, that did not materialize, and instead the relative youth of St. Louis prevailed. For now, the Stallions sit fourth on my rankings, which reflects their current standings.” (SJ)

“The Stallions have repeatedly found ways to win games this season. That's a credit to head coach Skip Holtz and his championship-bred squad. Against St. Louis, Birmingham didn't find a way late. But they showed they would be in the fight until the end. The question is who will be their quarterback when the playoffs roll around. Based on Holtz's history, he will ride two once the postseason arrives.” (MM)

“Did Skip Holtz’s decision to start J’Mar Smith over Case Cookus this weekend cost the team a victory over St. Louis? It’s hard to say. Cookus certainly hasn’t proven significantly better than Smith. With Alex McGough back, there are now even more QB questions than answers. A heavyweight matchup awaits Birmingham, against archrival Michigan this weekend. That could play a role in where they go at QB.” (GP)

5. (5) Arlington Renegades (19 points - highest rank: 5 - lowest rank: 6)

“After six weeks of great play on defense, the Renegades’ unit has completely fallen apart. They were torn apart by big plays created by the Defenders and had no answers for them. Arlington once again fell apart on the final drive with Luis Perez once again throwing an interception. It’s a shame that the Renegades can’t figure out if they want to be a good team or an average one.” (AM)

“The dream is over for the Renegades, but the Luis Perez Watch can keep going. It’ll be interesting to see if he can surpass last year’s career passing mark.” (JL)

“The Arlington Renegades continue to fall down the rankings for me. After another loss, you have to wonder if we are getting close to the end of Luis Perez as the starter for the Renegades. With just seven touchdowns and a league-leading five interceptions in eight games, there is significant room for improvement offensively.” (SJ)

“The Renegades are missing the postseason for a second consecutive year for the same reasons they faltered in 2024: Their inability to make clutch plays and decisions in close games. The team is now 1-9 in one-score games over the last two seasons. Bob Stoops's team continues to melt down in pivotal moments. This time, a mind-boggling fake spike turned interception with the Renegades in position to force overtime in D.C.. Old habits die hard, and Arlington has been dying the hardest of any team in the UFL this year with several soul-crushing losses. See Birmingham, Michigan, and the latest lapse in D.C.” (MM)

“An uncharacteristic boner by Luis Perez in the waning seconds cost Arlington at least a chance to tie D.C. and send that game into overtime. Instead, it was another one-score loss for a team that hasn’t figured out how to win at crunch time. A lot of the pieces are there; they just can’t seem to get over that hump. Will it be time to see what Holton Ahlers has in the next two weeks?” (GP)

6. (6) Houston Roughnecks (16 points - highest rank: 5 - lowest rank: 6)

“The Roughnecks had the perfect opportunity to beat a Panthers team without their MVP quarterback and instead made Danny Etling look like one of the best signal callers in the UFL. It’s another season of Houston not making the postseason which just adds to the fuel of maybe time to make a head coaching change despite the improvement from 2024.” (AM)

“The Roughnecks showed signs of improvement but too little too late.” (JL)

“Houston is coming off their ugliest loss since Jalan McClendon took over as the starter; however, they still slide up a spot on my rankings after not submitting my rankings last week. McClendon has helped make this offense more respectable, managing to put up 18 points despite the team throwing the ball 66% of the time. Failing to remain balanced, McClendon was asked to carry the offense, leading the team in carries on top of 50 passing attempts. He produced two touchdowns and 340 total yards of offense.” (SJ)

“There is not much to state about Houston that hasn't already been harped on endlessly. The Roughnecks have been competitive thanks to Jalan McClendon's rise, but until they get a new leader at the helm, they will continue to be non-contenders. The team desperately needs a makeover, maybe in another city.” (MM)

“In a game they needed to stay alive in the playoff race, Houston let Saturday’s game against Michigan get away from them with the kind of sloppy play they’ve largely eliminated this season. Jalan McClendon still needs to learn that not every pass needs to be a rocket; if he can harness his arm, this team will be a lot better for it.” (GP)

7. (7) Memphis Showboats (10 points)

All five voters had Memphis in seventh place.

“It’s rare to see a team win two games in overtime in one season, but for those to be the only wins on the year is impressive. Unfortunately, the Showboats have not been able to do that most of the season against the elite teams outside of Birmingham.” (AM)

“A year of turmoil and turbulence is almost over for the Showboats, but you have to think the players will try to keep it going for head coach Jim Turner the next two weeks.” (JL)

“The last two on this ranking are fairly easy given the fact that they just played each other. With Memphis coming out on top it would be hard to rank San Antonio ahead of them this week, even if it was just a two-point deficit. Memphis still seems to be on a slight upswing, while San Antonio appears to be bottoming out. Unfortunately, even winning out would not get them in the playoffs at this point, so they are building for 2026.” (SJ)

“Despite being undermanned and not having much to play for, Memphis continues to play hard. The Showboats netted a morale-boosting victory in what has been a rudderless season. It didn't hurt that they squared off against a team with similar staff and roster issues. Unfortunately, with playoff seeding decided and no home-field advantage at stake, Memphis is not in a position to play spoiler down the stretch.” (MM)

“Jim Turner’s gritty group pulled out another overtime victory on Friday night, this time against fellow bottom-dweller San Antonio. They’ve got Arlington and Birmingham in two final home games to close out the season. If they can even win one of those, that’ll set them up with more victories than all of last season. A small accomplishment, but an accomplishment nonetheless.” (GP)

8. (8) San Antonio Brahmas (5 points)

All five voters had San Antonio in eighth place.

“Officially owning the worst record in the UFL, San Antonio once again showed life last week offensively and even the defense performed better in 60 minutes, but didn’t step up in overtime when they needed to.” (AM)

“You had to like the fight San Antonio shows with nothing left to play for except pride. I think we will see more of it in their final two games.” (JL)

“1, 2, 3 Cancun!!! Pack it in Brahmas, this season is over. At 1-7 the Brahmas have felt like they’ve been eliminated from playoff contention for weeks. I feel for Payton Pardee taking over a mess and being asked to salvage it while adding coaches on the fly. At this point, a full-scale rebuild may be in order including the coaching staff. Barring a Wade Phillips return, the Brahmas will be looking for a new head coach for 2026.” (SJ)

“Last year's XFL conference champs are now 1-7. If you had told people what would come after last year's UFL title game, they wouldn't have believed that the Brahmas would falter this hard. However, the loss of Wade Phillips and a philosophical switch offensively with wunderkind OC AJ Smith gone have hurt San Antonio significantly. Unlike Memphis and Houston, the Brahmas might need a hard reset, especially if Wade Phillips doesn't return in 2026.” (MM)

“Like their fellow Texas team Arlington, San Antonio keeps making silly mistakes that ultimately doom them. It’s tough to watch because the talent on this team is so much more than their 1-7 record would indicate. They never seemed to truly recover from the departure of Wade Phillips as head coach.” (GP)