“Get the best UFL playoff picks as the UFL nears the championship game. Only four teams remain. Which two will be left after this weekend?”
The UFL playoffs are here, and the final four teams are ready to clash for a shot at spring football glory. With two games scheduled for Sunday, June 8, fans and bettors alike are eager to see who covers the spread and who lifts the trophy. This week’s IDP Plus Bets episode delivers sharp analysis, passionate takes, and, of course, your best UFL playoff picks.
(This is an AI-generated article from a recently published IDP+ Betting Podcast transcript.)
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UFL Playoff Format and Final Four
The UFL postseason features two teams from each conference. From the USFL side, we get the Birmingham Stallions and Michigan Panthers. Representing the XFL are the DC Defenders and St. Louis Battlehawks. All games are single elimination.
Birmingham enters as the three-time champion, including titles in the USFL and newly merged UFL. Michigan, meanwhile, has improved in 2024 but has never beaten the Stallions. On the XFL side, the DC Defenders bring their iconic home crowd and beer snake. But St. Louis is hosting the semifinal in the Battle Dome, where 30,000 fans regularly pack the house.
Game One: Michigan Panthers vs Birmingham Stallions
The first semifinal features Michigan at Birmingham, with the Stallions favored by 1.5 points. The over/under is 46.5. Michigan’s home stadium, Ford Field, is unavailable due to a college graduation, so Birmingham hosts regardless of record.
Birmingham Outlook
Skip Holtz is the King of Spring, winning three titles with three different quarterbacks. This week, J’Mar Smith starts with McGough on IR. Smith was working at Dunkin’ Donuts earlier this season before coming back to lead the Stallions once again. The team boasts a strong ground game with Ricky Person and CJ Marable. While their defense isn’t as dominant without Scooby Wright, it’s still above average.
Michigan Outlook
Head coach Mike Nolan is under fire for puzzling decisions. He split time between Danny Etling and Bryce Perkins most of the season. Perkins is likely the league’s best quarterback but has missed three weeks with an ankle injury. JMark doubts Nolan will commit to Perkins in the playoffs, which could cost them dearly.
Betting Recommendation
Birmingham -1.5 is JMark’s pick. He also likes the under 46.5, citing both teams’ defensive strength and playoff tension. These are his first UFL playoff picks, and he’s confident Birmingham covers.
Game Two: DC Defenders vs St. Louis Battlehawks
In the second semifinal, the St. Louis Battlehawks host the DC Defenders in the Battle Dome. St. Louis is favored by 2.5 points, with the same over/under of 46.5.
DC Outlook
DC returned Jordan Ta’amu at quarterback and opened the season as a favorite. However, their defense faltered after losing coordinator Gregg Williams to a college coaching job. His departure led to a steep drop-off, and the unit has never recovered.
St. Louis Outlook
The Battlehawks started strong with Manny Wilkins at quarterback before injury sidelined him. Max Duggan took over but hasn’t transitioned well. While the passing game struggles, the run game thrives. The defense features the league’s sack leader and several All-Pro defensive backs.
Betting Recommendation:
JMark picks St. Louis -2.5 and likes the over. He predicts a last-second field goal gives the Battlehawks a win and a trip to the title game.
Championship Preview & Final Thoughts
If JMark’s UFL playoff picks are correct, we’ll get Birmingham vs. St. Louis in the finals. That matchup offers compelling storylines: a potential Birmingham four-peat versus a hometown Battlehawks championship appearance. It’s the best-case TV scenario, especially with the final set in St. Louis.
Thank you for reading this article by @IDP_Plus. This article was created using IDP+ AI and edited by an IDP+ Staff Member. Be sure to check out the video above, which this article is based on, talking UFL playoff picks. Follow the host @Jmarkfootball on X!
