The Michigan Panthers will open the season on the road in Memphis this Saturday as they take on the Showboats. The Michigan Panthers look to pick up where they left off and make the playoffs for the 3rd year in a row after a 7-3 finish last season.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Sunday, March 309 /Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, TN
Kickoff Time: 12 PM ET, 9 AM PT
Channel: ESPN
Odds:
Spread: Michigan -5.5 (-110), Memphis +5.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Michigan -240, Memphis +200
Over/Under: 41.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Michigan Panthers (0-0):
The Michigan Panthers brought back many of their players from last year as Mike Nolan enters his third season as the team’s head coach. Bryce Perkins will be the starting quarterback. We may likely see some of both Bryce Perkins and Danny Etling play in week 1, as has often been the trend in UFL and with the Panthers. Both players played quite well in situations that frequently had them pressured, with Perkins shining just a bit brighter as he completed 78.9% of his 38 passes for 343 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception and 181 yards on the ground and 2 touchdowns over his 4 games.
At running back Nate McCrary will get the start over Matthew Colburn II as he looks to build on his strong finish last year that saw him rush for 62 yards on 11 carries (5.6 yards per carry) in the postseason loss to Birmingham. The starting receivers listed include Marcus Simms, Siaosi Mariner, and Malik Turner, who will make his UFL debut. Turner has 29 receptions to his name in the NFL for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Memphis Showboats (0-0):
The Showboats will look to have a much better season than last year’s 2-8 finish. At quarterback, we will see EJ Perry get the start. Perry was the Panthers’ starter to begin the season last year. We will likely also see some play from Troy Williams, who was the QB2 for the team most of the season last year.
Memphis will start Deneric Prince at runningback who will make his UFL debut. He was with Kansas City in 2023 and 2024 after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa.
The Boats have Jonathan Adams, Kwamie Lassiter II, and Eli Stove listed as their starting receivers. Both Stove and Lassiter will be making their UFL debuts.
The Showboats will be playing with a recent change at head coach following the sudden departure of head coach Ken Whisenhunt. Jim Turner was named the interim head coach who was previously the offensive line coach.
Panthers Keys to the Game
Pressure Perry While Keeping Him Contained
Perry played well for the Panthers last year before he was injured and often made good plays while under pressure. He has the ability to get it down on the ground as well as he added 151 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns over his 4 games to his 664 passing yards and 2 touchdowns with 3 interceptions.
Stop the Run Early
Michigan can prevent Memphis from getting into an offensive rhythm if they are able to see success in their run defense early, which was a strength for them last year.
More Consistent Blocking This Year
Pro Football Focus had Michigan’s pass protection graded the lowest of any team last season, and it made things difficult for the quarterbacks. Michigan will want to see more solid play this year in pass protection, particularly from their tackles. The Panthers have several talented pass catchers to watch, such as Siaosi Mariner, Marcus Simms, and Samson Nacua, to name a few. If the Panthers can have stronger pass protection this season, their passing game could really start cooking.
No Turnovers.
Michigan is the favorite to win this game. If they can get a few stops and have good possession time, then it would be surprising to see Memphis win. Michigan will want to ensure there are no turnovers that could lower its win probability.
Panthers to Watch
26 RB Matthew Colburn II
Colburn racked 422 yards on 99 rushes last year (4.3 average) and 4 touchdowns. He had the 7th highest rushing grade among running backs last season.
28 Nate McCrary
McCrary was not overly utilized last season as he had 27 attempts for 122 yards and a touchdown (4.5 average). The Saginaw Valley State product had the 6th highest rushing grade from PFF last year among running backs in his first UFL season.
57 DE Breeland Speaks
Speaks was the UFL Defensive Player of the Year last season after compiling 33 total tackles, including 9.5 sacks over the 10-game regular season.
5 LB Frank Ginda
Frank Ginda had a season shortened by injury last year but was the USFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, which saw him record 104 tackles. Last year, he had 33 total tackles in 6 games. Ginda has a knack for being where the football is..
21 S Kai Nacua
Nacua enters his third season as a Panther this year. Last season, he recorded 47 total tackles and 4 interceptions. He was one of my favorite players to watch last year.
Showboats to Watch
5 QB E.J. Perry
Last season, Perry completed 61.8% of his passes for 664 yards and 2 touchdowns with 3 interceptions over 4 games for the Panthers.
34 RB Deneric Prince
Prince rushed 314 times for Tulsa from 2020 to 2022, recording 1.728 rushing yards (5.5 yards per carry).
9 WR Jonathan Adams
Last season, Adams caught 33 passes for 511 yards and 2 touchdowns for Memphis.
92 DT P.J. Hall
Last season, Hall recorded 9 total tackles. He didn’t appear on the stat sheet a lot, but he made running the ball against Memphis very difficult.
49 K Matt Coghlin
Coghlin is another kicker who has gotten some NFL looks. He had a 94.7% field goal accuracy in 2023 and 88.9% in 2024. Last year, he set a new career-long with a 57-yard field goal and went 4 for 6 in field goals beyond 50 yards.
Depth Charts, Injuries, Inactives
Score Prediction:
I predict Michigan to win this one. Michigan 28, Memphis 18.
