How about this folks, we only have 2 weeks left of regular season play and guess what! Nobody has clinch a playoff spot, nor been eliminated from playoff contention. However, i think we will have something happen very soon. The Philadelphia Stars (4-4) had a chance to clinch a playoff spot, all they had to do was beat the Birmingham Stallions. They nearly did but the Stallions said not in my house. The Stars had a pretty good handle on the game until some late game mistakes happen. For the Stars they can’t feel too bad, none of the other North Division teams didn’t do so well either. In fact they went 0-4 vs. the South Division in the USFL. The Breakers, Gamblers, and even the Showboats are still tied for the wild card in the South Division. By the way, i was informed that a playoff game could be in either Memphis, Tennessee (Liberty Bowl) or in Birmingham, Alabama (Protective Stadium) and the game would take place on Sunday June 25. Tickets are available as of this moment, but i advise you to get them while you can. Don’t wait till gameday to get these tickets. As for the playoff race, let’s talk the North Division as all 4 teams are still alive for now. The 2 lower teams (New Jersey and Pittsburgh) both at 2-6, need to win out to have any chance of making the postseason. The New Jersey Generals made the playoffs last season at 9-1, it is a far cry this season for them. They will need to get some help as well. The Michigan Panthers (3-4) was my surprised team this season, when they started the season at 2-0. Oh they have fallen by losing 5 of there 6 games. By the way, they never left the 2nd place spot in the North Division. If they win this weekend, they possibly could clinch a playoff spot depending on how other game action goes. The Panthers still have a shot at the North Division title, and i am sure Head Coach Mike Nolan will keep his Panthers focus on that aspect. As for the South Division, all 4 teams are still alive as of now. The Birmingham Stallions (6-2) can win a 2nd straight division title, with a couple of wins down the stretch here vs both Houston Gamblers and Memphis Showboats. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Breakers (5-3) who have the top rated offense in the USFL, still have a shot at the division title. They can still get the wild card, however they face a red hot Memphis Showboats who have the league’s longest winning streak (5 games in a row). Hard to believe the Memphis Showboats were given up for dead when they started 0-3 early in the season, and they have a shot of a playoff spot for now. Well i have talked enough about these teams, now for the week 9 picks:

Saturday’s Action:

Michigan Panthers over Pittsburgh Maulers (Game on FOX TV)

New Orleans Breakers over Memphis Showboats (Game on NBC/Streaming on Peacock)

Sunday’s Action:

Birmingham Stallions over Houston Gamblers (Game on NBC/Streaming on Peacock)

Philadelphia Stars over New Jersey Generals (Game on FOX TV)

There you have it, my weekly picks are up and we have plenty of good football coming your way. Like the SEC in sports, it just means more!