On Tuesday the USFL released the 2023 schedule for all Eight teams for the league’s second season. The defending USFL champions once again return a formidable team that has retained many of their 2022 stars in addition to Head Coach Skip Holtz in an effort to defend their title.
Week One: New Jersey Generals vs. Birmingham Stallions
April 15th Protective Stadium Birmingham, Alabama
The Stallions begin the season as they did in 2022. The Stallions defeated the Generals in an opening night thriller, which was also J’Mar Smith’s coming out party. Look for the Stallions come out of the gate strong in 2023 once again.
Week Two: Memphis Showboats vs. Birmingham Stallions
April 22nd Protective Stadium Birmingham, Alabama
The Stallions remain in Memphis to take on the Showboats for Memphis’ first game at Protective Stadium. Last year the Stallions defeated the then Bandits twice throughout the regular season by scores of 16-10 and 21-18. With a reloaded roster the Stallions are primed to begin divisional play and make quick work of the Showboats who are dealing with uncertainty at Quarterback.
Week Three: New Orleans Breakers vs. Birmingham Stallions
April 29th Protective Stadium Birmingham, Alabama
The Stallions end April by taking on the Breakers who they went 3-0 against (including playoffs) in 2022. Another USFL team with questions at Quarterback and on their defense the Stallions continue to be at an advantage three weeks into the 2023 season.
Week Four: Birmingham Stallions at Pittsburgh Maulers
May 7th Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Canton, Ohio
The Stallions go into May returning to Canton for the first time since winning the USFL Championship. Last year the Stallions pulled out all the tricks including a magnificent Bobby Holly 52-Yard Touchdown. Look for the Stallions to continue their dominance against the new-look Maulers, no matter what their colors are.
Week Five: Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions
May 13th: Protective Stadium Birmingham, Alabama
The Stallions return to Birmingham in an attempt to get revenge off the one team that defeated them last season. The Gamblers have lost plenty of star power on defense and look to be a whole new team under Head Coach Kevin Sumlin. With Clayton Thorson out and Kenji Bahar in, it doesn’t appear that Gamblers have enough to compete in for a playoff spot in 2023.
Week Six: Birmingham Stallions at Michigan Panthers
May 20th: Ford Field Detroit, Michigan
The Stallions make their first appearance at Ford Field in week six to take on the Mike Nolan led Michigan Panthers. The Panthers who appear to be faster and more dynamic on offense in 2023 could serve to be way more competitive compared to the 2022 team that the Stallions defeated 33-17 during their week six matchup in 2022.
Week Seven: Birmingham Stallions at New Orleans Breakers
May 27th: Protective Stadium Birmingham Alabama
The Stallions return to Birmingham in an attempt to finish off their second game against their hub mates. By this point in the season Birmingham should be well on their way for another playoff spot and fine-tuning their game in hopes of another championship
Week Eight: Philadelphia Stars at Birmingham Stallions
June 3rd: Protective Stadium Birmingham, Alabama
The Stallions open up June with a rematch of the 2022 Championship game. With the Stars, missing several players like Quarterbacks Bryan Scott, Case Cookus, Freedom Akinmoladuan, Alex Akingbulu, and Maurice Alexander. With even QB3 KJ Costello not on the team’s roster for 2023, the Stars despite retaining multiple key contributors on both Offense and Defense will have a hard time defeating the 2022 champion Stallions.
Week Nine: Birmingham Stallions at Houston Gamblers
June 11th: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Memphis, Tennessee
The Stallions finish up the final stretch of the 2023 season with the same schedule as the 2022 season. The Stallions look to avoid a late season loss in the same fashion that tarnished their perfect season a year ago. Look for Skip Holtz to remind his team of the history before these two teams from last year’s Week Nine.
Week Ten: Birmingham Stallions at Memphis Showboats
June 17: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Memphis, Tennessee
The Stallions remain in Memphis for the 2nd consecutive week to close out the season. By this time the Stallions should have solidified a playoff spot for the 2023 season, and we could see QB3 Jalen Morton take some snaps in the season finale.
Closing Thoughts:
With the schedule set, fans and media alike can begin planning their travel to visit their favorite cities to see their favorite teams. With the USFL gearing up for their second season fans will expect the next several weeks to be full of USFL news. With the Draft, Training Camp, and then Kickoff 65 Days away, season two is primed for the Stallions to make another championship run in 2023.
