New Jersey Generals at Birmingham Stallions 4/16/22 - USFL Picks & Predictions
Last Updated: 04/13/2022 at 11:21 PM ET
The 2022 USFL regular season will kickoff with a matchup between the New Jersey Generals and the Birmingham Stallions. The Generals will be led by head coach Mike Riley, who is the winningest coach in Oregon State history and had a 14-34 record as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers. Riley knows how to develop quarterbacks and will start Ben Holmes out of little known Tarleton State.
With a raw quarterback, New Jersey will likely lean on a running game that will feature former Ohio State RB Mike Weber. TE Nick Truesdell is expected to be the safety blanket for Holmes in the passing game.
The Birmingham Stallions enter the season with +600 USFL Championship odds, but with so many unknowns the league is wide open. The Stallions will be coached by Skip Holtz, who became the choice when Gene Chizik decided to become the defensive coordinator at UNC. Birmingham is expected to start former FIU QB Alex McGough, but Holtz could quickly turn to his former Louisiana Tech signal caller J’Mar Smith.
While the Stallions figure to struggle on the offensive line, there appears to be plenty of talent at the skill positions. Birmingham grabbed Victor Bolden as the first WR taken in the draft and he will join Emmanuel Hall and Osirus Mitchell in what should be an explosive group of pass catchers.
New Jersey is expected to be solid on the offensive line and Birmingham has a weak defensive line group. With so many unknowns, I like the Generals chances to establish the running game with Mike Weber and pull off the upset. Final Score Prediction, New Jersey Generals win 22-21.
