The formula to victory is pretty easy for the Michigan Panthers. After dropping Four straight games in front of their home crowd in Detroit, the Panthers took to the road to get back on the winning track behind the arm of Josh Love along with Wide Receivers Joe Walker and Trey Quinn. The Panthers are set to take on the New Orleans Breakers who after a 4-0 start have dropped 3 in a row, and are watching their playoff hopes slip away.
GAME PREVIEW
Line: Panthers +3.5, O/U, 43.5 per Odds by FOXBET -167 Breakers, +130 Panthers
Date/Location: Sunday, June 3rd, 2023, at Protective Stadium Birmingham, Alabama
Kickoff Time: 4:00PM EST
Weather Forecast: 87F Mostly sunny in the morning then increasing clouds with some scattered thunderstorms later in the day. High 87F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
TV/Streaming: FOX/Fox Sports App
INJURY REPORT:
The Panthers are set to return Brodarius Hamm a stalwart at Offensive Tackle, after missing week 7. The Panthers will be without Kyle Markway, whose been serving as a role special teams player along with some H-Back duties. The Panthers have put on Kiante Hardin on the teams injured reserve list, and will elevate Keandre Evans as the team’s reserve Defensive Back.
Depth Chart:
Turn Up The Heat:
It’s going to be hot this week in Birmingham with Highs of 88 degrees with temperatures even higher on the field. With limited roster spots in the USFL of those who can be active, look for both teams to be all hands on deck, in effort to keep players as fresh as possible, as both teams fight for a playoff spot.
Can You Feel The Love Tonight?
Well, in the afternoon. Two-time offensive player of the week award winner, Josh Love has continued to progress over the past two weeks and was given a vote of confidence after the team released former EWU star Eric Barriere. Despite some hard running from Reggie Corbin, the Panther have relied on Love to distribute the ball to Cole Hikutini coupled with budding USFL stars Trey Quinn and Joe Walker. With the playoffs on the line and a strong Rush Defense, led by Jerod Fernandez, it may come down to another make or break performance from Josh Love this week.
Return of the MAC?
Fatigue may be setting in for the former CFL All-Star, whose going on over 13 straight months of playing football. MBT as he’s known by most, has shown some regression over the Breakers losing streak, which I personally believe is due to fatigue from the strains and rigors of playing Pro Football. MBT despite some statistical accolades has failed to “finish” some games and may not be the only player feeling the weight of his 2022 workload.
Prediction:
With both teams having their back against the wall for this week 8 matchup, I expect both teams to come out firing in hopes of securing a playoff spot. With the Stallions earning a victory and the Stars losing a win for either team sets the Breakers and Panthers up for a favorable position in the playoff standing with two games remaining in the regular season.
While Michigan is riding a high and maybe facing some extra motivation due to the Stars loss, to count out a shifty veteran like McLeod Bethel-Thompson may be a brash move for fans of the USFL. With a stable of offensive weapons like, Sage Surratt, Jonathan Adams, Johnnie Dixion, along with Wes Hills, I don’t believe the Panthers have the depth to keep up with the Breakers Offense.
Ultimately, I see the Breakers earning this victory 27-17 in hopes of keeping pace with the Stallions and Gamblers for a playoff berth.
