USFL Power Rankings week 8: Who is ready for the playoff push?

1. Birmingham Stallions

Record: 5-2
Last Week: 24-20 win over New Orleans Breakers
Week 8: Saturday 3 PM vs. Philadelphia Stars

After winning the championship in 2022, the Birmingham Stallions are the best team in the USFL again. Birmingham currently sits alone atop the standings, with a 5-2 record.

This team is not flawless and it likely is not as good as it was last year when head coach Skip Holtz led the team to a 9-1 regular season record, en route to a championship. However, quarterback play covers many flaws, especially in a league where quarterback play is especially volatile.

Stallions quarterback Alex McGough took over for Stallions’ starter J’Mar Smith after Smith suffered a season-ending injury in week one. Now, McGough stands alone as the best quarterback in the USFL by a significant margin.

McGough has the highest QBR of any starting quarterback in the USFL. Also, he has demonstrated an ability to make plays with his feet. He’s averaging 57 rushing yards per game over the last four weeks and has added 3 rushing touchdowns over that span.

By any objective observer, the Birmingham Stallions should be considered the favorite to win it all heading into week eight.