The Michigan Panthers travel to Houston to take on the Roughnecks on Sunday. Michigan is on a 4 game winning streak while Houston is on a 4 game-losing streak. The Panthers’ postseason is already secure as they are locked in to be the visitor in the USFL Division Final against the Birmingham Stallions. The Roughnecks have long since been eliminated but will be looking to finish the season on a positive note. Sunday will be Houston’s final home game of the season.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Sunday, May 26 /Houston, TX, Rice Stadium
Kickoff Time: 2:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM PT
Channel: Fox
Odds:
If you do place bets please do so responsibly and seek help if you have a gambling problem.
Spread: Michigan -3.5 (-120), Memphis +3.5 (+100)
Moneyline: Michigan -190, Memphis +160
Over/Under: 40 (Over -110, Under -110)
Michigan Panthers (6-2):
The Michigan Panthers will aim to extend their winning streak to 5 games. Despite their postseason path already being written in stone to go through Birmingham this game will still be important to continue to play at a high level for Michigan as they look to maintain a high quality of play entering the playoffs.
Houston Roughnecks (1-7):
Houston lost by 14 points to the Panthers when they last met. They’ll look to even the score of the season series and get some positivity as they play their final home game.
Panthers Keys to the Game
Essentially the Panthers just need to keep doing what they have been doing this whole season and keep doing a good job stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. That’s what they did in week 3 when they beat the Roughnecks 34-20.
On offense, the Panthers will want a good balance of pass and run plays. At times the Panthers have seen a high frequency of their quarterback being pressured so it will be important for more plays designed to allow the QB to get rid of the ball quickly.
Roughnecks Keys to the Game
On both offense and defense, the key of the game is going to be running the ball well on offensively and stopping the run defensively. If Houston can do that they will have a good chance to win this game. If they can eliminate Michigan’s run game and force them to pass they may be able to exploit Michigan’s pass protection which has at times underperformed.
Panthers to Watch
#8 QB Danny Etling
Etling is back in the lineup for the Panthers after missing the last 2 games due to injury. He has completed 41 of his 65 passes for 482 yards and 2 touchdowns and has added 97 rushing yards on 18 rushes and 1 touchdown.
#14 WR Siaosi Mariner
Mariner is back in the lineup after missing last week due to a concussion. Mariner has 12 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown on the season. With Marcus Simms out expect Trey Quinn and Mariner to see an increase in targets.
#26 RB Matt Colburn II
Colburn’s workload is about to increase even further now that Wes Hills is out for the season. Colburn rushed 24 times for 93 yards (3.9 average) and 2 touchdowns last week. Expect his carries to be less than last week as he had an increased workload due to the injury to Hills early in the game.
#28 RB Nate McCrary
With the injury to Wes Hills, Nate McCrary will line up as the #2 running back. McCrary is from Muskegon Michigan and played for Saginaw Valley State prior to spending 2021 to 2023 with NFL practice rosters. Now he will get the chance to take on a bigger role representing his home state.
#47 LB Bumper Pool
Bumper Pool will be making his debut as a Panther as a 2nd string middle linebacker. Pool was the all-time leader in tackles for Arkansas. He was with the Carolina Panthers through the preseason last year.
#99 DT Walter Palmore
Palmore is the highest-graded run-stopper by Pro Football Focus so far this season. He has 17 tackles and a sack on the season. Per PFF he has 9 run stops and 12 total QB pressures.
#48 DE Kenny Willekes
Willekes had 4 total tackles including a sack last week. He also had 6 total QB pressures.
Roughnecks to Watch
#10 QB Reid Sinnett
Sinnett has completed 110 of his 174 passes (63.2%) for 1,063 yards and 5 touchdowns with 3 interceptions on the season.
#8 RB Mark Thompson
Thompson has rushed 46 times for 182 yards (3.96 average) and 4 touchdowns.
#3 WR Keke Chism
Chism has 29 receptions for 306 yards on the season.
#5 RB T.J. Pledger IV
Pledger has rushed 76 times this season for 248 yards (3.3 average). He has also caught 16 passes for 96 yards.
#31 S Markel Roby
Led the team in tackles with 10 last week.
#15 DE Ronheem Bingham
Bingham has 21 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. Per PFF he also has 23 total QB hurries.
Depth Charts, Injuries, Inactives
Score Prediction:
Predicting a Michigan victory 23-16.
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