Alt-Football Digest’s UFL 2025 Preseason Power Rankings
The writers of Alt-Football Digest have compiled the first UFL Power Rankings of the season. Among those participating in this survey:
-Sam Just
-John Lewis
-Anthony Miller
-Mike Mitchell
-Greg Parks
The collective rankings are based on a scoring system that awards eight points for a first place vote, seven for second, so on and so forth. These will be updated each week throughout the regular season. Select comments will follow each team’s place in the rankings.
Please share your own Power Rankings and comments below!
Birmingham Stallions (40 points)
All five voters had Birmingham in first place.
“The Stallions are on a historic run. 32-4 the last three seasons. Birmingham is the safest bet to rule the roost again.” (MM)
“The question for Birmingham is, assuming McGough is the starting quarterback, can he regain that 2023 MVP form after trying his hand at wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers?” (JL)
“After three consecutive championships, it’s going to take more than an off-season of moves by other teams to knock Birmingham out of first place. I’ve got to see it on the field first.” (GP)
T2. Michigan Panthers (27 points - highest rank: 2 - lowest rank: 7)
“I don’t get why BET MGM in their preseason odds has the Panthers ranked fifth, but I like the Panthers’ potential for 2025. I see another USFL Conference championship rematch with the Stallions.” (JL)
“Michigan returns a ton of talent from 2025 and a full year of Bryce Perkins at quarterback could make the offense even more dynamic.”
T2. San Antonio Brahmas (27 points - highest rank: 2 - lowest rank: 7)
“Easy question for the Brahmas this season: Is continuity the key to success?” (JL)
“I have no doubt the defense will live up to the reputation of its head coach, but there may be some growing pains with a new quarterback and other changes on offense.” (GP)
4. D.C Defenders (26 points - highest rank: 2 - lowest rank: 7)
“If I were betting on which non-playoff team makes a run this season, it’s D.C., if they can stay healthy with RB Abram Smith recapturing his 2023 form.” (MM)
“The Defenders might be the most improved team from last season. They were missing some weapons on offense and needed some help on defense. I think we’ll see the Defenders back in the playoffs.” (JL)
“D.C. may have had one of the better off-seasons. One of the main improvements they needed to make was to get younger on defense, and I think that was mission accomplished.” (GP)
5. St. Louis Battlehawks (24 points - highest rank: 3 - lowest rank: 6)
“The release of A.J. McCarron, the open flirtation with West Virginia from head coach Anthony Becht, the departure of offensive coordinator Bruce Gradkowski and last minute elevation of assistant Phil McGeoghan to OC leads me to believe there are too many moving pieces to have the kind of season Battlehawks fans expect.” (JL)
“Similar to San Antonio, the roster is strong but the quarterback is a big question mark.” (GP)
6. Arlington Renegades (18 points - highest rank: 4 - lowest rank: 7)
“As much as I’m rooting for Luis Perez, it’s hard for me to see a defensive improvement that will get the Renegades back into the post-season.” (JL)
“I wouldn’t be surprised if either Arlington or D.C. are the most improved in 2025. There are a lot of similarities between the two teams but only one will likely emerge as a team that ends up over .500.” (GP)
7. Memphis Showboats (13 points - highest rank: 5 - lowest rank: 7)
“Memphis won just two games in 2024, but this feels like such an overhaul that the Showboats could turn some heads this season. They seem primed for a turnaround.” (JL)
“Memphis is behind the eight-ball this season given the roster and coaching overhaul. It’s almost like an expansion team against teams that have had three to four years of players working with the same head coaches, coordinators, and their schemes.”
8. Houston Roughnecks (5 points)
All five voters had Houston in last place.
“With a revamped roster and some new staff, along with a return to their old home at TDECU Stadium after a season in a mostly empty Rice Stadium, maybe there’s some hope in Houston. But if there is, it’s hard for me to share it right now.” (JL)
“Just like Birmingham has to prove to me they’re not once again the best team in the league, so too does Houston have to prove to me they’re not at the bottom. If their offensive line can hold up, they at least have some intriguing pieces at quarterback. That’s a start.”