Week 10 UFL Review

Well, the 2026 regular season is over. It flew by with alarming speed, as time always seems to accelerate as the years progress. Orlando clinched the #1 seed, St. Louis will host another playoff game as the #2 seed and look to break its playoff drought. DC limps into the playoffs while Louisville rides in hotter than the summer sun. 

The UFL recently announced that the Orlando-DC playoff game, originally scheduled for Columbus due to the English national team renting the soccer stadium, will be held in Daytona. With tickets at $10 and the nearby collegiate venue of Bethune-Cookman, a packed house should be expected. 

Dallas 20, St. Louis 16

The Renegades ended the season and its six-game losing streak with a 20-16 upset win over the Battlehawks on Friday Night Football. St. Louis' attendance rebounded to 24k but its offense remained anemic. Luis Perez's play has made him the Henry VI of spring quarterbacks. Austin Reed rebounded with three touchdown passes and Dallas' defense brutalized Perez with seven sacks. The Battlehawks stumble into the playoffs, going 1-2 over the last three weeks against Dallas and Houston. 

Both teams scored twice in the first half. Dallas recorded two touchdowns but missed an extra point while St. Louis kicked two field goals. 

The Battlehawks grabbed the lead in the third quarter on a Perez touchdown pass and forged ahead 16-13 on a fourth quarter field goal. Dallas drove for the game-winning touchdown, helped by silly St. Louis penalties, when Reed found Butler in the end zone.

Houston 26, Birmingham 13

The only thing more disappointing than the Stallions' attendance was the team itself. Birmingham's slim playoff chances disappeared in a lackluster effort. DTR's rejuvenation ran out of gas and the defense looked apathetic against Houston's running game. 

The Gamblers jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead on a field goal and two rushing touchdowns. Birmingham temporarily gained life on an epic interception touchdown return. Marcus Major suffocated that light on the next play with a 72-yard gallop through the Stallions' defense. 

Birmingham drove for a DTR touchdown pass but the two-point conversion was incomplete. Houston tacked on a field goal for some insurance. The Stallions' fate was sealed when Coach AJ McCarron punted with four minutes left and Birmingham missed the playoffs for the first time in the modern era. 

Orlando 29, DC 23

The Storm completed the back-to-back victories over DC with a game not as close as the score indicated. DC started Jason Bean and he provided the full experience of great plays and what-the-hell maneuvers. The two teams will meet for the third straight time in the playoffs. 

DC dominated early taking a 3-0 lead and looked poised for a 10-0 advantage when Bean eschewed two wide open options in the end zone to throw a pick six. A flurry of field goals had Orlando up 10-9 at halftime. 

The Storm extended its lead to 17-9 on a Rowland touchdown catch. DC tied the game with a rushing touchdown and two-point conversion. Special teams changed the game. Orlando downed a punt inside the five yard line and then blocked DC's punt for a safety. A 74-yard touchdown catch and a field goal gave the Storm a 29-17 lead. 

A little backdoor cover occurred in the final minute. Orlando, instead of kneeling, tried running for a first down. A fumble resulted. DC recovered and, despite two timeouts, allowed the seconds to drain away. Bean threw a touchdown pass as time expired to enrage the saps who bet the under. 

Louisville 42, Columbus 27

The Kings entered the game, knowing they were already playoff bound and crowned their accomplishment with a win over fellow newcomer Columbus. 

Louisville struck early with a pick six on the first play from scrimmage. Columbus forged ahead 10-7 before the Kings regained the lead on a touchdown run. The Aviators tied the game at 14-14 on a four-point field goal to end a dramatic first quarter. The teams then traded touchdown runs for the 21-21 deadlock before Louisville scored a touchdown for the 28-21 halftime lead. 

Columbus cut the deficit to 28-27, entering the final stanza. Louisville closed the game and regular season with two more touchdowns. 

Power Rankings

1. Orlando - The Storm stay in Florida for the playoff game. Can Becht overcome his playoff woes or is he doomed to become the Chuck Knox of the UFL? Orlando is the most balanced squad. 

2. Louisville - If Orlando is the most balanced then Louisville is the hottest team. They are 6-1 after their 0-3 start and the offense is humming since removing Jason Bean. Can the Kings win the crown?

3. St. Louis - The Battlehawks have the defense to win the United Bowl. The offense is still a question mark. The wide receiver corps is great. Frost and Perez are similar but the former offers more mobility. 

4. DC - The Defenders have everything but a quarterback and clock management. Still, they are in the playoffs. Anything can happen. 

5. Houston- The Gamblers displayed some life at the end of the season with wins over Birmingham and St. Louis. Maybe there is hope, after all. 

6. Birmingham - DTR's magic tricks wore out, the offense looked anemic, and the defense played with the passion of nursing home bingo. AJ McCarron might become the first player-coach in UFL history. 

7. Dallas - The Renegades regained some pride. Losing seven straight games was a bridge too far. 

8. Columbus - Morton might have something. Columbus has fans. Let's hope they are patient. 

Week 9 UFL Review

The penultimate weekend of the 2026 UFL season revealed several maxims. Orlando reinforced its argument for top team in the league, Columbus reiterated that they won't be beaten twice in a row, as the Stallions stumbled in a chance to nab a playoff spot, Louisville continued its late season push, and St. Louis won a sludge fest over Houston to clinch its playoff bid. 

Several questions remain: is Orlando truly the top team or merely the one with the best record? Can Louisville notch a playoff spot and reward the smaller but loyal fan base that packs Lynn Family Stadium? Do the Stallions have any magic left or is Skip Holtz's dynasty truly under the control of Birmingham's edition of Romulus Augustulus? Did DC actually clinch a playoff bid or did the UFL jump the gun? Did Houston run out of its 5,000 Jim Kelly bobbleheads???

DC 19, Orlando 27

The Storm have the amazingly, unique ability to dominate a game yet in the final minutes the opposing team looks up at the scoreboard and remains within one score. DC found themselves in one of those messy affairs. 

The Defenders, missing their MVP candidate, weathered an early Orlando touchdown to take a 10-7 lead after the first quarter. Then came the rain. Jack Plummer tossed two more touchdown passes and the Orlando led 21-10 at halftime. 

The teams traded field goals in the third quarter. Orlando's offense went quiet while Spencer Sanders directed DC to two field goals and suddenly the Defenders were only down 24-19. Alas, Sanders could not conjure any magic. An insurance three-pointer by Orlando effectively ended the game. 

The Storm continue to stack unimpressive wins but it equals homefield advantage for a playoff game. 

Birmingham 29, Columbus 36

The Stallions' clear playoff path hit a detour with the Aviators led by former Birmingham backup Jalen Morton mounting a comeback for the 36-29 victory. AJ McCarron proved he is not the jockey equivalent of Skip Holtz. The disjointed Stallions, on paper, had the easiest remaining path. Life is different on the back stretch. 

The game opened with a DTR interception. Lost in the winning streak was that DTR's play wasn't exactly elite and his bad habits came out to play. Columbus eschewed the the field goal attempt for a double pass try. Cook jumped the lateral and returned it for a touchdown. The Aviators blocked the extra point attempt and returned it for one point - the scoring system under UFL rules - for the ultra-rare 6-1 tally. 

Birmingham and Columbus then traded touchdowns. The Stallions added another score but once again Columbus answered with a touchdown and strangely went for two but failed. Birmingham hit a field goal before halftime for the 23-14 lead. 

Columbus cut the score to 23-21 before Carlson connected on two field goal for the Stallions. A Birmingham punt pinned Columbus deep before the Aviators flew through the Stallions' defense for the tying score and two-point conversion. Disaster struck on the next drive when DTR firing blindly threw a devastating pick-six. He and the Stallions could not answer on the final chance and Columbus likely sent the former champions to the glue factory. 

Dallas 23, Louisville 37

The Renegades dropped their sixth-straight game, as Louisville broke away with a 21-point fourth quarter. Austin Reed went from MVP favorite to 1933 NFL passer by completing only seven passes on 21 attempts. Jerry Jones can sleep at peace knowing his Cowboys are less dysfunctional. 

Affairs started well for Dallas, taking 7-0 and 10-3 leads. Louisville battled back and led 13-10 at halftime. The Kings converted on a 54-yard field goal in the third quarter for the 16-10 advantage. 

Dallas found some life and Reed connected on a 12-yard touchdown pass and swiftly the Renegades had the lead. It lasted 1:23. Louisville hit a 40-yard touchdown pass and the ensuring two-point conversion. Two more touchdowns resulted in a 37-17 advantage and Lynn Family Stadium rocked in celebration. Dallas saved face with a meaningless touchdown run but missed the extra point. Their season memorialized in one play. 

St. Louis 21, Houston 15

The Battlehawks avoided busting twice against the Gamblers with a narrow but unsatisfying victory. St. Louis clinched a playoff spot, so one cannot complain too much. Houston squandered multiple opportunities to build its lead and St. Louis punished them for not hitting 21. 

The Gamblers led 9-0 on a touchdown pass (missed XP) and field goal. St. Louis seized a 10-9 halftime lead when Luis Perez found Hakeem Butler on a 39-yard jump ball touchdown nine seconds before the quarter concluded. 

Houston showed some life after halftime by driving for the 15-10 lead. The rest of the game was St. Louis. The Battlehawks scored a touchdown and converted the two-point try. A final field goal added some icing on playoff cake. 

Power Rankings

1. Orlando - Is the Storm the best team in the league? Maybe. They aren't the hottest one - Louisville is - but they just keep winning. Belief is built from that. 

2. Louisville - The Kings are reigning since trading Jason Bean. After dispatching DC twice, they avoided the trap game against Dallas. Now if they win, they are in. The message is simple: win and you are in! 

3. St. Louis - The Battlehawks looked unimpressive against Houston. Perez had a decent game but will need to improve if the Dome wishes to hang a banner. 

4. DC - The Defenders have the weapons and a credible enough defense to make noise. The quarterback position might not be settled. Does Bean receive a chance or does Coach Harris remain committed to Sanders? Can Jalen Daniels pinch hit? 

5. Birmingham - The Stallions fell into Columbus' trap and now need to win and hope Louisville falls to the same Aviators team that shot them down. DTR is a double-edged sword and his interceptions cut down Birmingham's chances. 

6. Houston - The Gamblers left the Battlehawks off the hook. Houston has shown some life. The Jim Kelly bobbleheads looked cool. 

7. Columbus - The Aviators have a chance to play spoiler again. If you can't have a dream season, ruin someone else's. 

8. Dallas - The Renegades' sideline is more entertaining than their offense. Plenty of material for the new 4th and Goal show. 

Attendance Overview

Nothing inflames the r/UnitedFootballLeague subreddit like a good, old-fashioned attendance debate. Well, maybe expansion or relocation posts have an argument. Comments on plays can be counted on a hand. Post a photo of Protective Stadium and we are talking triple digits engagement. 

Obviously, attendance is important. Empty stands don't suggest to the unconvinced or casual viewer that the UFL is worth investment. People are social and tribal creatures. What fueled the Pokémon craze stemmed from a fear of not liking what everyone liked. Solid ratings are nice and important but they don't scream engagement like tangible bodies. The aspect of fandom drives sports. 

General takeaways: Well, concerts are still carrying the water. The home opener musicals brought in a bunch of fans who wanted to see their favorite acts for cheap and then promptly ditched. Strip away the home openers and the numbers are uglier than the options at last call. 

Birmingham: Three measly shirtless supporters away from averaging 9,000. Of course, the 18,000+ to see Gucci Mane perform during Birmingham's shutout loss to Orlando are more doing work than DTR to support the Stallions. Would a better performance have kept the numbers higher? Maybe. I am skeptical. Birmingham's attendance has been the red-hot topic for years. It goes to show that winning isn't the tonic many UFL fans claim. 

Columbus: The Aviators drew over 14,000 fans for their home opener. Since then, they have found a range of 8,000+. That works well enough. Their final two games are at home with a 2-6 squad. Can they maintain that average? 

Dallas: The Renegades finished their 2026 home slate with a contest at Fort Hood. The number fits in the range of what Dallas drew outside of the home opener. Will they survive for another year? The sweetheart deal with Arlington leans towards yes.

DC: Winning doesn't cure attendance woes. Write off Birmingham fans as the outlier, but the defending champions, despite the Beer Snake and Audi Field, have shredded fans. The home opener had 12,000+ witness DC demolished Houston in the UFL's biggest blowout. 4,000+ fewer showed up the next week. The core fan base in DC exists in the 7-8k spectrum. 

Houston: The Gamblers' attendance woes have become a punchline. Massive city, little interest. Some advocates have presented contradictory arguments. One claim is that changing from Roughnecks to Gamblers depressed interest. Another proposal said taking Wade Phillips away hurt. A final point pushed the theory the city doesn't even know the franchise exists which renders the first two null and void. The Roughnecks moniker did not boost 2025 attendance. 

The 2020 season - only five games - is gone. PJ Walker retired. The magic evaporated. The Texans are competent again with CJ Stroud providing hope. The 2020 Roughnecks provided a salve to the wounded hearts after the Chiefs rallied from 24-0 in that famous Divisional Game. The Texans are no longer that clumsy franchise stumbling from one bad decision to another. DC's initial energy drew from disliking Snyder's ownership of the RedCommandersTeam. The side chick isn't needed anymore. The wife put out again. 

Louisville: The Kings have been the sole bright spot for attendance, nearly selling out their home. 10k and higher for every non-home opener almost fills Lynn Family Stadium. Can they continue to draw after the novelty wears off? 

Orlando: The Storm hit 11k in their home opener and haven't been over 10k since. However, they are not far off and the team has generated some excitement with their playoff berth. Becht has a chance for redemption. The Orlando market might need his conversion. 

St. Louis: Ah, the Battlehawks. Proving that a millionaire losing 100k is more interesting than a homeless man dropping a dollar. Sure, the latter is more devastating but the former screams economic concerns. When St. Louis hit 18k for a Friday night game, alarm bells rang. Ignoring that total still outpaces every other 2026 UFL game, concern is warranted. If the fans stop coming to the BattleDome, what does it mean for league health? A poor showing in Houston is expected. Under 20k in St. Louis isn't. 

The Battlehawks are fine but the days of 30k are over. The team remains good and should host a playoff game. However, screaming F*** Kroenke has grown old. St. Louis fans proved that they can support a football team. That the NFL shouldn't have returned the Rams to Los Angeles. 

Week 8 UFL Review

Week 8 featured two massive upsets with the Battlehawks and Defenders falling, a fun Fort Hood game, and the Stallions using a Block Six to remain in the playoff race. Dallas has lost five straight games. The Kings have proven to be the Defenders' biggest nightmare. Houston has the ability of a cockroach to stay alive. Birmingham has won three straight games in ugly fashion but ugly wins count the same in the standings. The biggest development came from the news that Jordan Ta'amu is out for the season. 

Suddenly, DC's playoff chances, extremely firm before the two losses to Louisville, are now in the situation where they could miss out on playing in the United Bowl - hosted at Audi Field. The UFL just can't catch a break. 

Orlando 31, Dallas 24

Fort Hood hosted the Hats Off to Heroes Game and the military crowd showed up to see a wild affair. Dallas' collapse could be summed up by Austin Reed's fourth quarter interception - an ideal pass that bounced off his receiver's hands, a Renegade's hands, before being collected by a Dallas player. 

The Renegades led 10-0 before the Storm rallied for the tie heading into halftime on a Plummer 1-yard TD run. Plummer opened the second half with a magnificent 71-yard TD dash. Reed and the Renegades (cool band name) responded with a beautiful touchdown pass and Dallas had life. 

The Storm rained on their parade with two straight rushing touchdowns. The second touchdown saw Hamler terrified by the celebratory cannons. Reed tossed his third touchdown pass but time ran out on the doomed Renegades. 

Orlando continues to crank out unimpressive wins but they sit alone at the top of the standings. Ugly wins are better than colorful losses. 

DC 30, Louisville 33

The two teams, clashing on ABC, delivered what the league needed; an entertaining contest on OTA TV. Louisville, seemingly dead in the water two weeks ago, won its second consecutive game over the defending champions. 

The scores came quiet and fast. Ta'amu tossed a 41-yard TD pass just ten seconds into the game. Louisville electrified the crowd with a kick return touchdown. The elite special teams continued for the Kings, as Louisville kicked two traditional field goals and one four-point version for the 17-7. During the stretch, Ta'amu went down an injury. 

DC, despite losing its star quarterback, refused to fold. The Defenders hit a long field goal and found a rushing touchdown for the 17-17 halftime deadlock. Louisville took a 20-17 lead but DC used a rushing touchdown for the 24-20 advantage, entering the final quarter. 

The Kings controlled the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns but a blocked extra point kept the game at 33-24 - a one-score contest in UFL vernacular. DC had an opening and walked through the door. Jackson dashed into the end zone with 28 seconds left. Spencer Sanders, Ta'amu's replacement, had an open wide receiver on the three-point conversion but he couldn't connect. The 4th and 12 onside play failed and Louisville remained in contention for the final playoff spot. 

Houston 23, St. Louis 16

DC's defeat allowed a chance for St. Louis to claim the inside track for a home playoff game. The Battlehawks squandered the opportunity as Houston remained alive with a 23-16 upset win at the BattleDome. St. Louis, usually impervious at home, were stunned by a Houston, usually incapable of road performances. The UFL stands for Unpredictable Football League.

Upsets tend to avoid quick starts and a key turnover. St. Louis scored first on a field goal before Houston grabbed a 14-3 lead on a touchdown pass and a Luis Perez pick six. The Spring King collected over 300 yards but threw two crucial interceptions. The Gamblers increased its lead to 20-6 and then the Battlehawks added a 21-yard field goal before halftime. 

The Gamblers' offense went nearly silent in the second half, tallying only a field goal. The Battlehawks scored one touchdown but a controversial review erased a first down catch and the final drive ended on Houston three-yard line. Perez threw short of the goal line and, in a delicious irony, a St. Louis player was tackled short of the end zone in a 23-16 game. Revenge of the Oilers/Titans. 

Columbus 3, Birmingham 14

The sun was boiling hot in Birmingham but the offenses were not. The Stallions won another grimy game on the backs of an elite defense that held Columbus' elite running game to 61 yards. The Aviators paid the price for ignoring their namesake's profession. DTR received the credit for the win but the offense stagnated too much, scoring only one touchdown. 

The team traded interceptions in the first quarter and nearly exchanged field goals in the second stanza. Columbus debuting a new kicker nailed a 48-yard field goal. The Stallions' kicking issues continued when Carlson missed a 36-yard field goal. McCarron and Saban are destined for kicking disappointment. The price to be paid for rings. 

Columbus' 3-0 lead held up until 6:35 in the third quarter when DTR found Thomas WIDE OPEN in the end zone for a 29-yard TD pass. It was a beautiful play drive, as somehow, a large tight end completely avoided detection. 

The play of the game occurred when Columbus lined up for a 55-yard field goal. Gilmore sliced in from the left, blocked the field goal, picked up the loose ball, and returned it for a Block Six. The thrilling return was keyed by elite blocking. An underrated aspect of plays like that.

The Aviators still had a chance and used a nifty kickoff return to set up a drive. On 4th and 1, White was stuffed more than a Thanksgiving turkey. The play was too telegraphed and White visibly displayed his frustration on the sidelines. Birmingham drained over three minutes before punting it away. An interception ended Columbus' miserable day.

Power Rankings

1. Orlando - The Storm don't feel like the top team but they keep winning and avoiding those derailing upsets. 

2. St. Louis - Despite the zany defeat, St. Louis still has its starting quarterback healthy. That matters. 

3. Louisville - The Kings picked up two straight wins over DC and knocked out their star quarterback. Now, can they handle success? Louisville is now the hunted. They have Dallas at home. It should be a win. But we have seen that the 2026 UFL rarely deals in should. 

4. Birmingham - The Stallions have the easiest schedule remaining on paper. But the Columbus rematch is a trap game on the road and Houston has the Stallions' number. AJ has the chance to make fans eat crow. 

5. DC - Can Bean and Sanders save the season? The DC defense has forsaken their moniker. 

6. Houston - The Gamblers continue to lurk. They can really shake up the race by defeating St. Louis again. Don't be on it. 5,000 Jim Kelly bobbleheads will be given out. How many will remain?

7. Dallas - The Renegades continue to crash out. Austin Reed threw three touchdowns but his wide receivers dropped more passes than the stock market did points in 1929. The team lost its belief in winning. 

8. Columbus - Todd Haley and Ted Ginn Jr. are an amusing duo but Columbus fans aren't laughing. 

Week 7 UFL Review

Week 7 witnessed Luis Perez' first St. Louis start, Louisville stunning the red-hot Defenders, Birmingham outlasting desperate Dallas, and Orlando edged Houston in front of a disheartening tiny crowd. The quality of football continues to improve in the UFL while the ratings raise but attendance keeps dipping. It is a disquieting situation. The league has never been better yet casuals and previous in-person attendees refuse to flip the turnstiles. 

Ratings just dropped for three of the four games. The NASCAR lead-in on FS1 boosted Sunday's night Orlando-Houston to 475k. Dallas-Birmingham had a relatively disappointing Saturday number on ESPN. Columbus-St. Louis posted over 680k on Friday night. If anything, FOX's Friday night strategy has grown into a staple slot. Continuity is king. 

Columbus 20, St. Louis 31

Luis Perez received his first Battlehawks start and the Spring King proved worthy of his throne. He started the procession with two first quarter touchdowns. The Aviators counterattacked with a score before St. Louis added another touchdown for the 24-7 halftime. The Battlehawks missed a field goal chance before halftime with some awful mismanagement. The Defenders (spoiler alert!) would do the same. Spring football follies! 

Columbus opened the second half with a touchdown. St. Louis immediately answered with another rushing touchdown and that essentially sealed the game. The Aviators tallied a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and since a 17-point game is a two-score situation in the UFL, Ted Ginn Jr. should have called for a two-point or three-point conversion. Instead, he ordered the traditional extra point attempt. The football gods issued a punishment. The kick doinked off the upright. The celebrity coach giveth in tickets and taketh away in situational football. 

St. Louis drew its smallest crowd in history at just below 19k. Of course, those are numbers that every other team would sell its mascot for. Still, there are concerns. If the league's headliner for fan support loses its luster, then what?

Louisville 30, DC 13

The Defenders went from league favorites to a muddled, three-way tie at 5-2 after blowing a 13-3 lead to the hard-fighting Kings. Jordan Ta'amu had an AFL game, throwing for 353 yards and two TDs but also tossing two INTs. Chandler Rogers continued his ascension as the anti-Bean with two TD passes. 

Louisville opened the scoring with a field goal before DC tallied two touchdowns and looked firmly in control. Before halftime, the Kings drove down the field and on third down, Rogers scrambled and was DEMOLISHED by a Defender. He understandably fumbled (as his soul departed) and DC recovered. Alas, unnecessary roughness was called. The dodged bullet and savage hit awoken a berserker mentality in Rogers. He found Black for a touchdown pass and the Kings were alive. 

Louisville tied the game at 13-13 with a field goal and then scored 17 more points to complete the upset. Four DC turnovers plagued the Defenders. The two teams rematch this weekend. 

Dallas 17, Birmingham 21

The DTR experience has given the Stallions a new lease on life. Birmingham improved to 3-4 and currently sits in the fourth and final playoff spot. Meanwhile, Dallas lost its fourth straight game as the Renegades can't find a way to stop bleeding. 

The game was a dull affair for three quarters. Dallas went up 10-0, partly fueled by DTR throwing the world's funniest interception, as his throwaway attempt stayed in-bounds. Birmingham scored on a 47-yard TD pass on 4th and 11. The league's no-punt past the 50 yard line rule, once again, produced an exciting play. 

The two teams supplied a scoreless third quarter before Birmingham tied the game at 10-10 and Dallas bullied its way for a touchdown run at 5:07 left. DTR, undaunted, led a touchdown drive capped by a Mickens catch. Dallas moved into position for a game-winning field goal that was blocked. 

Overtime provided more replay controversy that only Renegades-Stallions games can provide. Dallas was called short on a quarterback sneak. While, it appeared his body, and by extension the ball, crossed the line, no definite shot was found. DTR, on Birmingham's first try, eluded pressure and crossed the line. Dallas' second chance ended in a sack. DTR found Mickens via a tight window and Birmingham had the 21-17 win. 

Orlando 24, Houston 23

Anthony Becht found another way to win an ugly game and moved into a three-way tie at 5-2 upon the UFL standings. Orlando blew a double-digit lead to the hapless Gamblers before rallied for the nerve-wracking 24-23 victory. 

A touchdown pass and a pick six intermixed with a Houston field goal had Orlando up 14-3. The Gamblers led by Hunter Dekkers fought back and trailed 17-13 at halftime. 

Houston grabbed the 20-17 lead on a 49-yard TD pass when forced by the UFL's no-punt rule to go for it on 4th and 11. Orlando responded with a deep touchdown pass to Badger for the 24-20 advantage. The Gamblers countered with a field goal. The two teams exchanged three punts before drama arrived on Houston's final drive.

A questionable offsides call wiped out a game-sealing interception. The next play, 4th and 5, ended with Dekkers missing a wide-open running back on a wheel route. Kevin Sumlin employing the same desperation Super Challenge strategy that beat Birmingham whipped out the red flag. Dean Blandino agreed with the holding challenge. Houston had new life and moved to Orlando's 45 where on 3rd down Dekkers again missed a wide open Gambler. Sumlin elected to try the 63-yard field goal. The kick was on target as your grandma playing Madden and Orlando celebrated its narrow win. 

Power Rankings

1. St. Louis - The Battlehawks needed an offense and they likely found one. Perez is heating up and if he and Butler can become the Wonder Twins, call Thanos. Or the Hantavirus. 

2. DC - The Defenders stumbled badly. Louisville's avalanche left a bewildered foe behind. However, revenge can be had this weekend. Audi Field needs its home team in the United Bowl. 

3. Orlando - The Storm win in ugly ways but are positioned for a chance to host a playoff game. 

4. Birmingham - DTR has given new life to a season previously on life support. However, the last two wins have been helped by opponent errors and favorable fortune. Still, winning makes believers from Doubting Thomases. 

5. Louisville - The Return of the Kings were the biggest story of Week 7 and justly show. If Louisville can repeat itself performance this weekend at home, Repole found his best success of 2026. Of course, UFL teams tend to fall flat when they need a big win at home.  

6. Dallas - The Renegades lost their mojo. Austin Reed's decline leaves a fan base frustrated about the Perez trade. Prayers up for the health of Reed's twin babies. 

7. Columbus - Ted Ginn Jr.'s Ohio State education shone through on Friday night. But he wasn't there for math, just football. The Aviators are sky-diving into missing the playoffs. Ryan Day isn't coming to rescue this Columbus team. 

8. Houston - At least, no one is there to see the Gamblers lose. The same won't be said for this Saturday at St. Louis. 

Attendance Data

Hang around the UFL reddit group and you will notice attendance talk dominate the discussion. I decide to pull the data for home games without concerts. 

Birmingham: 6,412.5
Columbus: 8,538
Dallas: 6,018.3
DC: 7,636.3
Houston: 4,818.3
Louisville: 10,769
Orlando: 9,142.3
St. Louis: 19,386

What does it mean? Louisville's stadium doesn't hold many more bodies, so the Kings have been a success. St. Louis remains the headliner but the dip below 20k is not ideal. Everyone else is grasping for air. 

2026 FOX's Friday Night Football Schedule - An Analysis

A recent brushfire has flared up on r/UnitedFootballLeague and r/battlehawks about Friday night time slots and how they aren't ideal for attendance. The kindling for this wildfire stems from St. Louis on pace for its lowest attendance ever. Of course, 18k is a total that other cities strive for. Some Battlehawks fans have expressed an interest for no Friday night games and one zealous fan did not want any night games. I could write a whole tome on UFL fans and their, frankly, unrealistic expectations, but a thought entered my mind; did FOX want St. Louis for its Friday night lineup? Best and largest fan base in the league makes for a good audience builder. 

We know that FOX has developed a strategy for conditioning audiences into watching sports on Friday night. The fourth big network has found great success with College Football in the fall, men's basketball in the winter, and the UFL games have constantly drawn 600k plus - when the NFL draft isn't on - in the spring. 

So, I decided to take a garner at the 2026 Friday night schedule: 

Week 1: Birmingham at Louisville

Week 2: DC at Columbus

Week 3: Orlando at Louisville

Week 4: Dallas at Columbus

Week 5: DC at Birmingham

Week 6: Houston at Columbus

Week 7: Columbus at St. Louis 

Week 8: Orlando at Dallas (Ft. Hood)

Week 9: DC at Orlando

Week 10: Dallas at St. Louis 

What are the numbers? 

Home games: Columbus (3), Louisville (2), St. Louis (2), Birmingham (1), Dallas (1), and Orlando (1)

Participation: Columbus (4), Dallas (3), DC (3), Orlando (3), Birmingham (2), Louisville (2), St. Louis (2), Houston (1)

Setting aside that the UFL doesn't have first right for many venues and that certainly impacts scheduling, an observer can see a coalescing strategy. 

FOX, or the UFL, clearly wanted to push the new markets early and often. Six of the ten slots went to Columbus, Louisville, and Orlando and the first four Friday nights were broadcasted from Columbus and Louisville. Smart move as the two new cities recorded solid numbers. 

St. Louis gained two dates because the rocking BattleDome looks and sounds great and should be filled later in the season. Want to impress potential viewers? The raucous Kaw is Law fans are the ambassadors. 

Birmingham's name holds cache, so write in a slot in the starting gate for the Stallions. 

As for Ft. Hood, Americans love their patriotic displays and America250 branding is huge. Dallas' attendance has been hit and mostly miss. No great loss and the soldiers at renamed Ft. Hood can enjoy a contest. 

- As a side comment, if any Civil War general would have loved football, John Bell Hood was your man. He would have been the perfect old-school football coach: fullback dive up the middle! McClellan would have been the overly cautious coach kicking 19-yard field goals. Yes, I am a history buff. 

Interestingly, DC and the Beer Snake (great band name!) did not receive a home game but were slotted for three contests. The DC brand, as defending champions (pun intended) and a spring mainstay, holds value for FOX and the UFL. Maybe Audi Field wasn't available, but still, make sure those Defenders are playing Fridays!*

As for Houston? Well, participation trophies exist. 

Maybe all this analysis is overthinking it, but I doubt it. Expect OKC and the other expansion team (insert desired city here) in 2028 to land Friday night slots. Or that wish-listed CW TNF game! A blogger can dream! 

Week 6 UFL Review

The season, streaming ahead like Casey Jones' locomotive, has passed the halfway point. DC remains the class of the league, St. Louis added another win to its profile and recently announced Luis Perez will start Week 7, Orlando dropped its second straight game, Birmingham might have a new star in DTR, Louisville's offense disappeared, Houston fell to Columbus in a battle of disarray, and Dallas' plunge into chaos continues. How quickly fortunes can change in spring football. 

The United Bowl on June 13 was announced for Audi Field - home of the Beer Snake and rapidly declining attendance. Ratings have held steady for Friday Night Football on FOX and ABC's high noon showdown of Dallas-DC drew over a million. If fans aren't attending in person, they certainly sit on the couch. Here's to more attendance arguments on r/UFL! Bring your own popcorn. The marketing budget can't afford it. Still, there is reason to be optimistic. The play is good and the weather is nice. 

St. Louis 16, Louisville 3

The Battlehawks won the Battle of Cities Named after French Kings aka the Derby Classic. Unlike the Kentucky Derby, which was genuinely exciting, and shoutout to Repole's horse Renegade (God has a great sense of scripting) for finishing second, this game featured every negative stereotype of spring football: dismal offense, inefficient play, and a general slog. Fortunately, the game was on FS1, so only masochists and Nick Wright's mother watched it. 

Harrison Frost did not play particularly poor: 242 yds, 2 TDs and 1 INT are decent numbers, but like Thanos and unfair reviews for Skydance Animation, Luis Perez's starting was inevitable. The teams traded field goals, Louisville actually led 3-0, before St. Louis worked its way to a 16-3 victory. The Battlehawks moved to 4-2. The Kings' running game totaled 12 yards on 13 carries. It is more pathetic than the Jets drafting. 

Houston 17, Columbus 24

Friday Night Football on FOX is the only constant timeslot for the UFL and the league has acknowledged its existence by trying to pump the new franchises or using the time to showcase Birmingham/St. Louis. The strategy is a solid one. Columbus obligated with a workmanlike win over a Houston team, dedicated to playing the hokey pokey with progress. 

The teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter in a shocking example of competence. Columbus added two more end zone scores before halftime while Houston only responded with a field goal. The Aviators' offense disappeared in the second half. The pilots could only find a field goal (apologies to Amelia Earhart). The Gamblers tallied a touchdown but they kept losing quarterbacks and decided instead of trying a recovering-from-injury emergency quarterback to send out a wide receiver. A comedic interception ended the game. Only in spring and COVID-19 impacted NFL football. 

Dallas 6, DC 24 

Remember when Dallas was 3-0 and Austin Reed was the unanimous MVP candidate? That was twins ago for the erstwhile quarterback. Remember when this author suggested Dallas should have kept a capable backup in Luis Perez? Good times, good times. The Renegades fought the Kaw and won but the Defenders pulled a Vienna on Dallas. 

This was another game where the winning team emptied its chamber in the first half and coasted to the second half win. Jordan Ta'amu tossed three first half touchdowns as DC led 24-0 at halftime. The Renegades scored a shutout-avoiding Reed touchdown pass but the two-point conversion failed. 

Right now, DC, riding the continuity train of head coach, quarterback, talent, and Beer Snake, are the league favorites to hoist the trophy. Only injuries and, perhaps, a phoenix Perez could halt their chances at repeating. As for Dallas, highlights from Week 1-3 are available on YouTube. 

Birmingham 20, Orlando 17

Anthony Becht dropped his second straight revenge game. First, he fell to the Battlehawks and now AJ McCarron gained his revenge, avenging the dreadful shutout loss. Trading DTR cost Orlando, as the quarterback has looked confidence and mobile. Matt Corral stans are finally vanquished. 

Birmingham, like Columbus and DC, started fast but regressed in the second half. Taking advantage of Orlando's self-inflicted errors, the Stallions galloped to a 14-0 lead. The Storm responded with two scores and the teams were tied at halftime.

The promising shootout never materialized. Birmingham corrected its woeful kicking game with two field goals. Orlando replied with a field goal. The game's controversial moment arrived with 3:18 left when facing a 4th and short near midfield, Becht, holding three timeouts, elected to punt. The decision backfired. Birmingham played aggressively and converted the necessary three first downs. 

Becht's thought process had some sound basis. He had three timeouts, the two-minute warning, and Birmingham's offense was largely stale in the second half. Unfortunately for him, the Storm defense faltered and his miscalculation took the heat off the two muffled snaps that cost, at least, six points for Orlando. Becht probably should have gone for it. Possession is paramount. But hey, make the stop and you look like a genius. The perils of coaching. 

Power Rankings

1. DC - The defending champions reinforce each week why they are the best team. Audience continues to fall at Audi Field. Maybe it needs a ballroom?

2. St. Louis - The Battlehawks have the defense. Now, they need a more consistent offense. Can Perez deliver upon that promise? DC hopes not. 

3. Orlando - The Storm hold place at third because no one else wants to move up and because frankly they beat themselves. Two muffled snaps are easy to cleanup. 

4. Birmingham - This ranking is solely based on the idea that DTR is that big of a game-changer. Dallas clearly doesn't want it. Columbus feels shaky. Houston: LOL. Louisville has no running game. 

5. Louisville - The Kings' defense is solid. Running the ball must be deemed illegal in Louisville. Dang blue laws.

6. Dallas - If they can regain their Week 1-3 magic, look out. Right now, they are freefalling. 

7. Columbus - The Aviators are flying amidst a muddled mess of 2-4 teams. Todd Haley is the face (and belly) of the team. 

8. Houston - The Gamblers have Orlando at home this Sunday on FS1. So only 150k will see their shame.