Alt-Football Digest’s UFL Week Seven Power Rankings

Just three regular season games remain in a fast-moving 2025 UFL season. Some teams have impressed; some have disappointed. Through seven weeks, we have a pretty good idea who each team is at this point. It’s up to our fabulous four to collect them and sort them in our weekly Alt Football Digest power rankings. The four voters this week:

-Anthony Miller

-John Lewis

-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 (32 points)

All four voters had Michigan in first place.

“Michigan is not only number one in the power rankings for me, they also have to be the odds-on favorite to win the UFL Championship. If Bryce Perkins can stay healthy, it’s going to be difficult for any team to overtake the Panthers. What’s been especially surprising is how powerful his lower half is in breaking away from tackles just when you think the defender has him in their grasp.” (GP)

“The Panthers have the talent already and after last week’s game against Arlington, I’m starting to think they have fate on their side as well.” (JL)

“Michigan's dramatic last-second victory against Arlington this past Saturday demonstrates the magic that typically occurs when teams are destined to become champions. The Panthers with Bryce Perkins have that magical feel, but it can all vanish if they don't vanquish arch-nemesis Birmingham. Michigan will likely have to beat Birmingham twice in the next four weeks to win it all.” (MM)

“While Bryce Perkins didn’t have the most accurate passing day, he led the charge to help the Panthers win against the Renegades in the last second. Michigan is a complete team that has fought off injuries and traded away its best receiver, Marcus Simms, to still be the best team in the UFL. They would be my pick for UFL champions going into week eight.” (AM)

T2 (4) D.C. Defenders (25 points - highest rank: 2 - lowest rank: 3)

“D.C. almost tripped up and lost twice this year to the San Antonio Brahmas, but showing the maturation of the team under interim head coach Shannon Harris, they were able to come back and win at the Alamodome. Once again, D.C. has some strong receivers and Jordan Ta’amu is looking like the Ta’amu of two years ago. He seems to be getting hot at the right time.” (GP)

“The Defenders’ explosive plays on offensive were game saving against a spry San Antonio team, but the Defenders need to examine some defensive gaps as the season wraps up.” (JL)

“The Defenders took care of business in week seven, avenging their loss to San Antonio a few weeks ago. Thanks to another Arlington loss, it was a much-needed victory for D.C., who now have breathing room to position themselves to get back to a championship game. Jordan Ta'amu has been the catalyst for the Defenders' 5-2 record. He has returned to the big-play form he displayed two seasons ago when he won XFL MVP.” (MM)

“The Defenders' defense is becoming a concern as they have not held a team under 24 points since Week 3 against St. Louis. Jordan Ta'amu continues to shine as an MVP candidate after completing 79% of his passes for 238 yards and three scores in their close win against the Brahmas. If this defense doesn't show improvement to close the regular season, they could be challenged to win the UFL or XFL Conference.” (AM)

T2 (3) Birmingham Stallions (25 points - highest rank: 2 - lowest rank: 4)

“Skip Holtz keeps bringing back old Stallion quarterbacks. I’m expecting them to bring back Bobby Lane next. Birmingham got down big to the Roughnecks but were somehow able to use some of that Stallion magic to complete the comeback with J’Mar Smith, who just arrived in town this week. Birmingham has the most important ability of all, which is they know how to win and believe they can. That can cover a lot of warts.” (GP)

“The Stallions are still doing the QB shuffle, but once again, you can’t question their success.” (JL)

“Down 25-6 to Houston, with old friend J'Mar Smith returning as option E at quarterback. As champions do, the Stallions found a way to overcome the odds and win. The back-to-back-to-back league champs showed why they are still the heavy favorites to win a fourth consecutive league championship. Skip Holtz deserves his flowers as the UFL's best head coach and play-caller. It's not the first time he has led his squad to victory using an alternating option at quarterback.  The Stallions 'soul-crushing defeat of the Roughnecks has effectively made the USFL conference a two-horse race down the stretch to get to the UFL title game.” (MM)

“I'm done keeping this team in the middle of the rankings as Skip Holtz is the best head coach in the UFL. Holtz has played five different quarterbacks and is still 5-2. J'Mar Smith led an improbable 19-point comeback to help the Stallions beat the Roughnecks. The best defense in the league had a rough first half, but they dominated late in the game, as Birmingham is poised to compete for another title.” (AM)

4 (2) St. Louis Battlehawks (22 points - highest rank: 2 - lowest rank: 4)

“St. Louis sleepwalked through a win against Memphis, something they won’t be able to do if they make it to the playoffs. Luckily for them, an Arlington loss gave them somewhat of a cushion. Max Duggan probably still makes Battlehawk fans nervous under center. Manny Wilkins isn’t walking back through that door anytime soon, so it’s Duggan’s team now.” (GP)

“The Battlehawks are still playing well in all three phases of the game and all three get tested this week against Birmingham.” (JL)

“It wasn't pretty, but St. Louis got the job done in a must-win game on the road in Memphis. The Battlehawks defense and special teams have held up their end of the bargain. But the team has to find consistency in throwing the football to ultimately get to what's eluded the franchise: a championship game. Max Duggan has shown some growth as a QB by using his legs to extend plays and drives, but his inability to win from the pocket could be what grounds the Battlehawks when it matters most.” (MM)

“It wasn't the most inspiring offensive performance from the Battlehawks, but Max Duggan continues to look good through the air and on the ground, with 215 total yards and two touchdowns in the win against Memphis. St. Louis' defense is red hot, allowing less than 10 points for two straight weeks. The Battlehawks are neck to neck with D.C. for the XFL Conference title that will most likely be determined in the final week.” (AM)

5 (5) Arlington Renegades (16 points)

All four voters placed Arlington in fifth.

“Until Arlington learns how to win close games, they aren’t going to be seen as a serious contender. At this point in the season, one-score games are the rule rather than the exception and that seems to work against Bob Stoops’s team’s playoff hopes. The loss of Kalen Ballage loomed large against Michigan.” (GP)

“How do the Renegades get over that game against Michigan? This week’s showdown with D.C. is pivotal.” (JL)

“Since the UFL merged last year, the Renegades are now 1-7 in one-score games. This is why they failed to contend for the postseason in 2024 and will likely be why they are on the outside of things again in 2025. Bob Stoops's team has found ways to lose games in the clutch. They did the same thing against Michigan in a demoralizing last-second defeat. 

Despite being two games out of a potential playoff spot with three weeks left in the regular season, on paper, the Renegades have a shot to make the playoffs if they can beat D.C. this weekend and beat two one-win teams in Memphis and San Antonio. However, it's hard to trust Arlington to reverse its trend of falling short in crunch time.” (MM)

“Yet another devastating loss for the Renegades, with all four losses this year by one possession. It's the third loss of the year where they had the lead with under two minutes in the game, only to allow a game-winning touchdown. The positive is that the offense looked much better than it did in week six against St. Louis, but despite the incredible season from the defense, this is a team that is undisciplined and tends to choke in the most significant moments. It's a shame because Arlington should be a 5-2 team, but now at 3-4, they are most likely out of the playoff hunt unless a miracle happens.” (AM)

6 (6) Houston Roughnecks (12 points)

All four voters had Houston in sixth place.

“Houston is still trying to learn how to win and they got a hard lesson against Birmingham, blowing a 19-point lead. It was especially damaging because it all but removes Houston from playoff contention, when a win would’ve put them right in the thick of the USFL Conference race. There was a thought that after a few weeks the league might ‘figure out’ Jalan McClendon, but he continues to play at a high level, which at the least will give Houston a fighting chance from here on out.” (GP)

“The Roughnecks were in the driver’s seat until the Stallions crashed the car. That might be it for Houston, but a win over Panthers this week could put them back in the right lane.” (JL)

“Up 25-6 against Birmingham, it appeared that Jalan McClendon and the Roughnecks were poised to shake up the entire UFL as the league's most improbable story. However, poor game management and conservative play-calling by C.J. Johnson and his staff saw Houston suffer an epic collapse. Faced with the prospect of newfound prosperity, the Roughnecks' greatest Achilles heel led them to familiar despair. Houston is still mathematically alive with three weeks left, an achievement in and of itself. Still, it's challenging to envision them getting up off the mat after a predictable coaching meltdown.” (MM)

“If games were played in just two quarters, Houston would have blown out Birmingham, but instead, it blew a 19-point lead to lose the game. Similar to Arlington, this loss was devastating as it made it much harder for the Roughnecks to make the postseason. Credit to the team for fighting in the past month, but it might be too late.” (AM)

T7 (7) Memphis Showboats (6 points - highest rank: 7 - lowest rank: 8)

“After avoiding the bottom for a few weeks, Memphis is back here following their loss to St. Louis. It was a step back for the Showboats offensive line and losing Wes Hills to injury also hurt the effectiveness of the ground game. A team like Memphis isn’t going to win when they’re made to be one-dimensional.” (GP)

“The Showboats aim for the postseason might be over, but watching quarterback Dresser Winn the next three games can still be entertaining.” (JL)

“Memphis deserves credit for fighting hard every week in another lost season. They gave the Battlehawks a fight, but the Showboats are not good enough to overcome their shortcomings. The Showboats' season seemed lost at sea before it even started and has predictably sailed into nowhere.” (MM)

“The Showboats showed signs of moving the ball down the field against St. Louis but struggled to capitalize and score touchdowns. Memphis' defense put up another solid showing like they have all season. Dresser Winn is the right man at quarterback, but this offense has no consistency and now will be watching the UFL playoffs from home.” (AM)

T7 (8) San Antonio Brahmas (6 points - highest rank: 7 - lowest rank: 8)

“Like Houston, San Antonio blew a game they should’ve won, in part due to terrible clock management at the end of the first half. But that’s what you’ll get with a head coach that started the year as a position coach and is the walking definition of ‘learning on the job.’ On the plus side, the offense seemed to find a rhythm which will help as they take on fellow one-win Memphis Friday night.” (GP)

“It was great seeing the team give it their all against D.C. No quitters here even if they’re playing for pride the remainder of the season.” (JL)

“From XFL champs to bottom feeders, the Brahmas' demise has been drastic from one year to the next. The team melted down in last year's title game and hasn't been the same since. San Antonio lost its best offensive and defensive coach and never found its mojo with Kellen Mond. Rookie head coach Payton Pardee has filled in admirably, assuming multiple roles, but the team's downfall in every aspect has been disappointing.” (MM)

“At moments in the game, the Brahmas were firing on all cylinders offensively, but a Kevin Hogan fumble on a disaster-filled final drive of the first half and an interception on the last drive doomed San Antonio to another loss. Poor clock management and the defense looking defeated made this game challenging to watch, as there is potential there. This has been a tough season for San Antonio as they have been eliminated from playoff contention.” (AM)