By Rick 8Bit
Are you ready for some football? Those words were heard first back in 1989 by Hank Williams on Monday Night Football on ABC. Now 35 years later, a new brand of football comes to ABC.
This week, we were greeted with the UFL schedule. Highly anticipated, we knew the first matchup involved the USFL Champions Birmingham Stallions, and the XFL Champion Arlington Renegades. Week 1 will also include the BattleHawks visiting the Panthers. On Sunday the 31st, Defenders will start their season against the Brahmas in the Alamodome; the same place where their season ended in the XFL Championship game. The last game of the week will show out Rice Stadium where the Roughnecks will host the Showboats.
Some big things to notice with this schedule. Back since their creation in 2020, The D.C. Defenders have been 8-0 at home. Now they will put their undefeated record on the line when Roughnecks comes to town Sunday April 7th.
Two big matchups that will happen this year will include XFL Divisional opponents. Last year D.C. ended their regular season in San Antonio squeaking out a 29-28 victory. Head coach, Wade Phillips, now with the Brahmas, also lost to the Defenders last season as well while coaching Houston. So will Wade and San Antonio get their first win in D.C. when they visit Audi Field week 6 or will D.C. continue their dominance on both?
Speaking of the Brahmas, they will also be making another first appearance at St. Louis, when they play the BattleHawks week 10.
Now St. Louis has a .714 winning percentage while in their dome. Just like against the Defenders, both Wade and the Brahmas have yet to win against the Battlehawks. So which streak is coming to an end?
The BattleHawks will be making their first trip to Choctaw stadium on Week 9. Last season the Renegades went on the road and lost to St. Louis. However, that was before the Luis Perez trade. Will the Renegades and Perez (who lost to Arlington last season with the Vipers) get revenge, or will St. Louis go up extend their records on both.
Last season, the Renegades finished their season upsetting the Defenders in the championship game. Before they meet in San Antonio, then meet at Audi Field, where the Defenders took victory 28-26. Now with their series tied, Arlington will host them week 3 in a highly anticipated matchup. With this being their 1st time playing each other for the season, this game will determine who wins the XFL conference this season.
One USFL team hosted both of their league rivals last season, so this season they will be leaving Ford Field and going on the road.
The Panthers will also be making another trip when they head to the Liberty Bowl week 5. The Showboats took the win last season on the road. Who takes the win? We find out Sunday April 28th.
The Panthers week 10 will be playing in Birmingham for the 1st time ever. Last season the Stallions took the road win 27-13. Now with this being a potential playoff game, this a huge game for both sides.
There you have it everyone, 6 division matchups. Each one important, as the teams will play twice during the season.
Who do you think wins it all?
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