Alt-Football Digest’s UFL Week Two Power Rankings
After crunching the numbers, Alt-Football Digest presents the week two UFL power rankings. Offering their thoughts this week:
-Anthony Miller
-Mike Mitchell
-John Lewis
-Sam Just
-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. The team’s ranking the previous week can be found in parenthesis after their current ranking. These will be updated each week throughout the regular season. Comments from the panel will follow each team’s place in the rankings.
The rankings after week one can be found here.
Please share your own Power Rankings and comments below!
(T1) St. Louis Battlehawks (40 points)
All five voters had St. Louis in first place.
“Two straight weeks of total dominance on the ground and a stifling defense. Pita Taumoepenu and Travis Feeney lead arguably the best pass-rushing group in the UFL. Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht has mastered the Super Challenge and has potential UFL MVP candidates in Manny Wilkins and Jacob Saylors. St. Louis shows no signs of slowing down as they are by far the most dominant team in the UFL.” (AM)
“After week one's dismantling of Houston, it was fair game to question the quality of St. Louis's victory over a vastly inferior opponent. And while, the same can be stated about a surprisingly sterile San Antonio team, there's no denying that the Battlehawks look like the most balanced UFL squad right now. They've scored the league's most points, and have allowed the fewest. Two key ingredients for any top team.” (MM)
“The Battlehawks look like the class of the XFL Conference if not the UFL. Manny Wilkins at quarterback has been a model of efficiency in passing and deadly as a dual threat. The defense has put Houston and San Antonio on its heels. Now, those teams are a combined 0-4, so this week’s matchup with D.C. might tell us a lot more about this team as a whole.” (JL)
“Two weeks, two convincing wins. Manny Wilkins is quickly proving why the Battlehawks were ready to move on from A.J. McCarron. Currently, he leads the league in completion percentage, and efficiency. He is third in passing yards, and leads all quarterbacks in rushing yards. It hasn’t hurt that the Battlehawks boast three of the top five players in terms of rushing yards through two games. If Wilkins and company can keep this up, St. Louis won’t be on the losing end of many games.” (SJ)
“I hesitated to put St. Louis at number one last week because the degree of difficulty for what they did in week one seemed pretty low. To repeat that performance in week two, against, in theory, a tougher opponent, was enough for me to buy in and put them at number one this week. If they roll in week three against D.C., it’s fair to wonder who will stop them this year.” (GP)
2. (3) D.C. Defenders (35 points - highest rank: 2 - lowest rank: 3)
“Not as many sacks for the Defenders in week two against Memphis, but the defense was still as good. The offense has to find a way to be more consistent in the passing game, but Abram Smith and Deon Jackson make a good one-two punch. D.C. has by a long shot been the most surprising team out of the gates as interim head coach Shannon Harris has his team rolling.” (AM)
“D.C. still needs to find itself offensively, a struggle that has carried over from the 2023 season, where Jordan Ta'amu had a career year throwing to multiple wide receivers who are currently on NFL rosters. Nevertheless, the Defenders’ start to 2025 is very promising. Gregg Williams’s defense and the team's home crowd were difference makers the first two weeks. Week three’s test at St. Louis will show how good the future Tennessee State staff matches up against arguably the UFL's best all around team.” (MM)
“The Defenders might be 2-0, but they absolutely dodged a bullet against a Memphis Showboats team that is showing signs of figuring things out. If I’m a D.C. fan, I’m very concerned about Sunday’s game at the Battledome.” (JL)
“Jordan Ta’amu continued to knock the rust off in week two. He is second in passing yards, and tied for first and passing touchdowns despite looking like he isn't at mid-season form. Abram Smith and Deon Jackson have formed a solid duo in the backfield helping to sustain drives and play keep-away from opposing teams. This has only aided what may be the top defense in the league. However, with news they are losing their defensive coordinator earlier than expected, things could change defensively.” (SJ)
“The team will have a new defensive player caller this week, so we’ll see what effect that has on what’s been a stifling ‘D’ early in the season. D.C. has left some plays on the field on offense, though it feels like they’re very close to breaking through.” (GP)
3. (T1) Arlington Renegades (28 points - highest rank: 3 - lowest rank: 5)
”A disappointing step back for the Renegades offense, but the defense had another solid performance for the second straight week. They pressured Houston quarterback Anthony Brown time after time, forcing below 50% completion percentage and an interception. Arlington should be able to fix their offense to get off to a faster start as their running game with Kalen Ballage and Dae Dae Hunter gives them the added asset they have been needing for two years.” (AM)
“There's a strong temptation to knock Arlington down a few pegs after their ugly performance against Houston at home. Ultimately, the Renegades found a way to win late but it was a disappointing followup to an impressive opening game. With St. Louis and D.C. off to good starts, it will be challenging to keep pace when Bob Stoops's crew moves up in weight class against the Stallions in Birmingham.” (MM)
“The Renegades are enjoying a renaissance with a 2-0 start. Like St. Louis, they’ve beaten winless San Antonio and winless Houston, but this looks like a better team than the one we saw struggle out of the gate last year. It took a while for Luis Perez to put one in the end zone against Houston (more than 10 minutes left in the game before they scored a touchdown), so I’m cautiously optimistic about the fortunes of the Renegades right now.” (JL)
“As long as they have Luis Perez they will be a playoff contender. He currently leads the league in passing yards, and is second in completion rate. Their rushing attack has been among the best in the league with their top two backs rushing for over 250 yards in two games. This defense has allowed just 18 points through their first two games this season. This is not sustainable as they face better offenses later this season but a tough run game and an efficient quarterback will keep them in most games.” (SJ)
“It was a step back for Arlington against what should’ve been a lighter weight opponent in Houston this past weekend. Though the score was close, Arlington was still able to move the ball down the field relatively well. Penalties were an issue. Good teams find a way to win games like they did on Sunday. There are no style points in the UFL; just win and move on to the next week.” (GP)
4. (5) Birmingham Stallions (27 points - highest rank: 2 - lowest rank: 4)
“Despite losing their starting quarterback, Alex McGough, on the first play of the game, the Stallions played much better offensively. Backup quarterback Matt Corral was far from perfect, but he at least made Birmingham more vertical with the passing game, which paid off with a 52-yard score to Deon Cain. The defense was solid as usual, as Birmingham isn't all the way back, but at least made good strides to get there.” (AM)
“The Stallions offense, which lost Alex McGough early in week two, is still ironing out its kinks but Birmingham's defense is as good as ever. A victory over Mike Nolan's Panthers has become commonplace for Skip Holtz's bunch. But it was a much needed one. It positions them to create serious distance from the USFL pack. If Birmingham can take care of business at home against Arlington, their following four games are against teams that are all currently winless.” (MM)
“The naysayers were ready to write off Alex McGough after week one and their argument may have been bolstered when Matt Corral replaced him at quarterback after McGough was injured on the first play against Michigan and led the Stallions to a 21-12 win. There were some shaky moments for Corral, but minus that, with the Stallions’ stout defense, it feels as if they’re the second-best team in the league…at least heading into week three.” (JL)
“So far through two games, the Stallions offense has not looked very crisp. A leaky offensive line, starting quarterback injured, and now Matt Corral will start with Case Cookus the QB2. The Stallions defense has only allowed 30 points so far this season, and 18 came from DC. Despite their issues on offense they are just eight points from 2-0 in 2025. If their defense can continue to hold teams to 18 points of less, the Stallions will continue to win tough games, but a sturdy offense could elevate this team to title contender once again. As of right now, I don't see it.” (SJ)
“I’m not sure how much I trust Matt Corral as QB1 moving forward with McGough landing on injured reserve. He puts the ball in harm’s way too often. Nevertheless, 21 points against a good Michigan defense is impressive. Something to watch this week: Birmingham has a long injury list, with many key players inactive. We’ll see if Arlington can take advantage.” (GP)
5. (4) Michigan Panthers (21 points - highest rank: 4 - lowest rank: 5)
“The Panthers kept things interesting with solid defense, but the offense seemed to stall out multiple times against the Stallions. Michigan did go up against a spring football dynasty, so there's no need for an overreaction, as head coach Mike Nolan will get them back on track.” (AM)
“Once again, Michigan's defense came to play but Mike Nolan's insistence on a two player QB rotation is hurting his team’s chances to elevate its play to the next level, something they continue to struggle to do against archnemesis Birmingham. Bryce Perkins is the team's most dynamic player and should be given the keys to the offense, not relegated to riding shotgun.” (MM)
“The Panthers made a comeback against Birmingham after trailing 18-0 in the third quarter, but for the Panthers to even be in that spot was surprising. Take nothing away from the Stallions on defense, but it feels like the Panthers aren’t clicking on all cylinders yet.” (JL)
“The Panthers had a convincing win against a short-handed Memphis team, only to turn around and lay an egg the following week against Birmingham. The Stallions were able to throw Bryce Perkins off his game and it trickled down to the rest of the team. After an impressive outing last week, suddenly there are some very big questions about Michigan’s ability to compete against the better teams in the league.” (SJ)
“Maybe it’s not time yet to anoint Bryce Perkins. He looked skittish against Birmingham, a team that was able to contain him in the pocket for the most part. I’m surprised Michigan didn’t try to move the pocket more and use his legs, especially with an offensive line that was clearly struggling to pass protect. The defense lost some of its bite when DE Breeland Speaks went on injured reserve Tuesday.” (GP)
6. (7) Memphis Showboats (13 points - highest rank: 6 - lowest rank: 7)
“Two weeks in a row, the Showboats have shown fight, and their defense has kept them in the game. Memphis quarterback E.J. Perry played much better against the Defenders, but this offense is not capitalizing by scoring points when it gets inside the 30-yard line. Work still needs to be done, but Memphis looks like a much more well-coached team compared to Houston and San Antonio.” (AM)
“Once again, Memphis was competitive in a loss. The return of Ken Whisenhunt aided the Showboats offense greatly but a failure to execute in scoring areas is what caused the Boats to sink again. With an improved defense under Jarren Horton's watch, Memphis will prove feisty all season long but will it translate to wins?” (MM)
“Showboats head coach Ken Whisenhunt might not be into moral victories, but trailing 9-6 into the fourth quarter against D.C. before losing 17-12 has to give him some hope. Quarterback E.J. Perry looked solid, with Jonathan Adams as his top target, and the Showboats are effective in the ground game. They might be 0-2, but Memphis is still a team that can turn it around.” (JL)
“The Showboats need a lot of work, but there are signs the team is headed the right direction They have failed to top 12 points in two games but now that Ken Whisenhunt is back, the offense should start to improve. They lost to the Panthers by 14 points, under their interim coach then followed it up with a five point loss to D.C., a better team all around. They have played two quarterbacks and it appeared that Troy Williams felt more at home than Perry but they continue to start Perry. Their run game has been solid, but they lack true playmakers outside of Jonathan Adams. They may need to make a move at wide receiver.” (SJ)
“There are no moral victories in football, but if there were, Memphis might be 2-0. One of the hardest things for a team to learn how to do is win, and Memphis might be experiencing those growing pains right now. It could be a season of close losses, but once they do get a win, the floodgates could open. They may be 0-2, but they’re just one game behind in the USFL Conference standings right now. The offense could look different when (or if) Daewood Davis returns to the team. He’s currently recovering from an injury he sustained in the NFL this summer.” (GP)
7. (6) San Antonio Brahmas (11 points - highest rank: 6 - lowest rank: 8)
“Two weeks in a row, the Brahmas have been blown out, with a defense that has allowed over 150 rushing yards in each of those games and an offense that is shockingly inconsistent at best. While I believe the talent level is way better than Houston and Memphis, the biggest problem right now is coaching, and that unfortunately starts at the top with head coach Wade Phillips.” (AM)
“The most disappointing team in the UFL this season is San Antonio. It's not so much that they lost to Arlington and St. Louis on the road. It's in how they've lost. The Brahmas have scored a grand total of 18 points in two games, and have allowed the most points in the league. Despite have one of the more talented teams on paper, Wade Phillips’s defense, and A.J. Smith's offense have grossly underperformed. The slide for San Antonio could continue as they have more road games on the docket upcoming against two of the UFL's better defenses in Michigan and D.C. Kellen Mond, who has also struggled, won't make his hometown debut until Week 5. However, by then it's fair to wonder if the San Antonio native will even be in the starting lineup.” (MM)
“The Brahmas are hard to figure out. The defense looks to being doing its part, but the offense is still not gelling. I still believe Kellen Mond can be a top-tier quarterback in this league, but the Brahmas need to get a run game going to keep this offense manageable.” (JL)
“San Antonio has scored just 18 points in two games. An absolutely abysmal mark, and good enough for the lowest spot on any football power ranking, except in the UFL, where the Houston Roughnecks exist. On top of that their offensive coordinator just stepped down after two games. With Payton Pardee taking over its anyone’s guess if San Antonio can get significantly better on offense. Nine points will win you a lot of games playing hockey, or baseball (at least pre-torpedo bats), but it will not win very many football games.” (SJ)
“Some things Payton Pardee should consider now that he is taking over the offensive coordinator position just vacated by A.J. Smith: One, get Mond on the move more. Use his athleticism. Two, run the hurry-up more often if possible. Mond looked comfortable doing that against St. Louis and the team was actually able to move the ball. And three, for goodness sake, run the ball. Anthony McFarland averaged nine yards per carry, but backup Jashaun Corbin had more rushes than he did.” (GP)
8. (8) Houston Roughnecks (6 points - highest rank: 7 - lowest rank: 8)
“The Roughnecks have the worst offense in spring football history and it might not be close. A tip of the cap to the defense for a much better performance as they held the Renegades to under 300 total yards and 11 points. Houston head coach Curtis Johnson has to address the quarterback position and give Nolan Henderson a shot.” (AM)
“For whatever reason, C.J. Johnson's team has been competitive against Arlington. For the second year in a row, the Roughnecks nearly stole an ugly one against the Renegades. Ugly games have become a Roughneck theme under Johnson. If the UFL had flex scheduling, their games would air exclusively on the FOX Sports App at 3 am, in the hopes that anyone sampling the league would miss it. To their credit, Houston's defense played much better than it did in week one's debacle against St. Louis. But with an offense lacking direction and identity with an overwhelmed Anthony Brown, getting a win or even two this year will be hard to come by for a team that is severely outmatched on every level.” (MM)
“We saw the Roughnecks play much better against Arlington in week two than we did in week one against St. Louis. That was not a hard bar to clear, but an 11-9 loss after coming into the game as 11.5-point underdogs is something, I guess.” (JL)
“Houston has been historically inept, especially on offense…Curtis Johnson’s side of the ball as a former wide receiver coach. They swung a trade to acquire Marcus Simms who could serve as a spark plug on this offense, but one has to wonder if it will be enough after scoring a total of 15 points in two games against St. Louis and Arlington. Houston’s defense held the Arlington offense to just 11 points but still managed to give up 298 rushing yards. The Roughnecks are a mess right now and it starts with the coaching.”
“I asked Houston head coach Curtis Johnson in one of his media avails during training camp about the decision to not completely retool the coaching staff in the off-season. In so many words, he felt the players were the problem, not the coaches. Well, they’ve got a roster of new players and still aren’t getting the job done. Admittedly, they looked better in week two, but until the offense wakes up from its slumber (and who knows, maybe new WR Marcus Simms will be the spark it needs), close, low-scoring games is perhaps the best the team can hope for.” (GP)