# Columbus Aviators Week 6 Preview vs. Houston Gamblers: Prediction, Keys to Victory, Depth Chart, Injuries, Odds

- Author: Jonathan Clink
- Published: 2026-05-01T15:17:00Z
- Updated: 2026-07-09T17:08:55Z
- Categories: UFL (ufl), Houston Gamblers (houston-gamblers), Columbus Aviators (columbus-aviators), Injuries (injuries)
- Canonical URL: https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/columbus-aviators-week-6-preview-vs-houston-gamblers-prediction-keys-victory-depth-chart-injuries-odds

**The Columbus Aviators get a quick rematch against the Houston Gamblers on Friday night at Historic Crew Stadium after a tough 13-17 loss in Houston. Now they have the chance to even the score as they will face Houston 1 week later this time in their own building.**

## **Game Details:**

##### **Date/Location: Friday, May 1 / Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH**

##### **Kickoff Time: 8:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM PT**

##### **Channel: FOX**

##### **Theme Night: School Spirit Takes Flight | Jim Tressel Bobblehead Giveaway**

##### **First 5,000 fans receive a Jim Tressel bobblehead (honoring Ohio students & educators)**

##### **Odds:**

**Spread: Columbus - (-), Houston + (-)**

**Moneyline: Columbus -, Houston +**

**Over/Under: (Over -, Under -)**

**Columbus Aviators (1-4):**

**Columbus was nearing striking range with 3 minutes left in that game at Houston’s 32 when a Jalen McClendon fumble ended their drive early and proved to be too costly to overcome. It was the third week in a row that Columbus had more yards than their opponent, but unfortunately they were only able to win 1 of those games. With Columbus being 1-4 at the halfway mark, the room for error is very small in the UFL playoff race.**

**Houston Gamblers (2-3):**

**Houston earned a much-needed victory last week over the Aviators, 17-13. [Nolan Henderson](https://uflnewshub.com/player/nolan-henderson-32151) returned and played solid football against a tough Aviators defense, while the defense forced turnovers and held the Aviators in check. Houston is tied for 5th currently and 1 game behind Dallas and St. Louis, who currently sit in the final 2 playoff positions.**

## **Aviators Keys to the Game**

### **Protect the football**

**Columbus needs [Jalan McClendon](https://uflnewshub.com/player/jalan-mcclendon-28932) to be more secure with the football to prevent future turnovers from fumbles.**

### **Pound the Rock**

**The Ground game has become a big part of the Aviators' offensive identity as the team had a total of 27 rushes for 117 yards last week (4.3 average).**

### **Lockdown Coverage**

**Houston’s quarterback, Nolan Henderson, has the capacity to distribute the football efficiently. The Aviator’s secondary will need to provide solid coverage.**

### **Get Sacks**

**Last week, Houston had 3 sacks to Columbus’ 1. The Aviators need that strong pass rush to continue to make an impact and help end some drives throughout the game.**

## **Aviators to Watch**

#### **8 QB Jalan McClendon**

**McClendon was efficient last week (15-22, 160 yards) and rushed 4 times for 25 yards and a touchdown.**

#### **35 RB [Toa Taua](https://uflnewshub.com/player/toa-taua-31099)**

**Taua rushed for 30 yards and a touchdown last week and also caught a pass for 17 yards. Zaquandre White rushed 10 times for 38 yards and John Lovett rushed 6 times for 19 yards last week.**

#### **88 TE Alize Mack**

**Mack had the most receiving yards for the team in each of the last 2 weeks. Last week he caught 4 of his 3 targets for 42 yards. WR Tay martin had 3 catches for 40 yards while Antwane Wells caught 3 passes for 32 yards.**

#### **1 LB Tony Fields**

**Fields led the team in tackles last week with a total of 13. He is tied for first in the league in total tackles with 40.**

#### **48 DE Kenny Willekes**

**Willekes recorded 6 tackles last week, including a sack. He now has 2.5 sacks over the season.**

## **Gamblers to Watch**

#### **15 QB Nolan Henderson**

**Henderson completed 13 of his 25 passes for 146 yards and also led the team in rushing yards as he rushed 6 times for 37 yards and a touchdown.**

#### **32 RB Jalen White**

**White rushed 9 times for 32 yards and a touchdown last week. He added 2 catches for 29 yards.**

#### **3 WR Lawrence Keys III**

**Keys was the most productive receiver for Houston last week, catching 3 passes for 43 yards. Jontre Kirklin was not far behind him with 3 catches for 32 yards.**

#### **28 LB Marvin Moody Jr.**

**Moody led the team in tackles with 11 total, including a tackle for loss.**

#### **92 DE Malik Fisher**

**Malik Fisher continues to be a problem for offenses. Last week, he had 6 total tackles, including a sack, and had a forced fumble. He has 4.5 sacks on the season.**

## **Depth Charts, Injuries, Inactives**

## **Score Prediction:**

**It feels like this could be anyone’s game on Friday, but I’m going to go with the home team. Columbus 24, Houston 20.**

From UFL News Hub. Please link to https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/columbus-aviators-week-6-preview-vs-houston-gamblers-prediction-keys-victory-depth-chart-injuries-odds when citing. More at https://uflnewshub.com/llms.txt