Monthly Archive 19 January 2024

Byadmin

D.C. Defenders begin as the team to beat, Arlington Renegades No. 2

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for more football.

After a three-year hiatus, the XFL is back and ready to entertain football fans who aren’t ready to head into the offseason. The XFL will kick things off with four games this weekend — just six days after Super Bowl LVII — and will conclude the 2023 season with a championship game on May 13.

Of course, no football league can exist without Power Rankings, so we’ve compiled one just in time for the start of the XFL season. We’ll update our Power Rankings each week while keeping fans up to date on the teams and players who are on the rise.

Here’s our first of many XFL Power Rankings for the 2023 season, as we try to sort things out before these teams have played a single game. Let’s see how accurate these rankings are when an XFL champion is crowned three months from now.

  1. D.C. Defenders
    The Defenders already have a philosophy despite not having yet played a game. Offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss will employ a spread out, college style offense. It appears that D.C. has the players to execute the attack. The Defenders have several capable quarterbacks, led by former USFL standout Jordan Ta’amu. They have a wealth of talent in the backfield that includes former New Orleans Saint Abram Smith — a physical, straight ahead back who averaged over 6 yards-per-carry during his college career at Baylor.

Defensively, the Defenders will likely mimic the attitude of Gregg Williams, a tough-minded coach whose resume includes being the defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl-winning Saints squad.

  1. Arlington Renegades
    Continuity among the coaching staff is among the Renegades’ strengths. Flanked alongside head coach Bob Stoops is former OU and Iowa colleague Jonathan Hayes, who will share offensive coordinator duties with Chuck Long. Arlington’s staff also includes Tim Lewis, a former NFL defensive back who has had a wealth of coaching experience across several leagues.

The Renegades are pretty good on the field, too. Leading the way are former USFL teammates Kyle Sloter and Sal Canella. A classic pocket passer, Sloter played well last year in leading the USFL’s Breakers to the playoffs. Canella was unstoppable in the Breakers’ playoff loss to the eventual USFL champion Stallions, catching 12 passes for 154 yards.

CBS Sports HQ Newsletter
We bring sports news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and get a winning edge.

I agree to receive the “CBS Sports HQ Newsletter” and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies.
By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge Paramount’s Privacy Policy.
Email Address

  1. San Antonio Brahmas
    The Brahmas are good enough to challenge for the league title. San Antonio’s roster features a slew of talented players that includes former NFL veterans Kalen Ballage and Patrick Turner.

This is the first head coaching assignment for Hines Ward, a former Pro Bowl receiver and Super Bowl MVP for the Steelers. Ward, who wisely surrounded himself with veteran assistants, is surely motivated to prove his value as a head coach.

  1. St. Louis Battlehawks
    St. Louis’ quarterback and skill players should make this a fun team to follow. St. Louis has arguably the league’s most proven quarterback in A.J. McCarron, a two-time national champion at Alabama who nearly led the Bengals to a playoff win over the Steelers as a rookie.

At McCarron’s disposal is former Raiders and Cardinals wideout Marcell Ateman, and Darrius Shepherd, a veteran player who spent parts of 2022 with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals and Denver Broncos.

St. Louis also has a promising young offensive coordinator in Bruce Gradkowski, who had his own successful playing career at the college and pro ranks.

  1. Houston Roughnecks
    Former NFL head coach and Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is Houston’s head coach, so expect the Roughnecks to field a tough defense. The main question in Houston is who will win the quarterback battle between Cole McDonald and Kaleb Eleby.

A former NFL seventh-round pick, McDonald briefly spent time with the Titans and Cardinals before going to the CFL. Eleby went undrafted in 2022 despite having a strong final season at Western Michigan.

For what it’s worth, the Roughnecks were the XFL’s best team in 2020, going a perfect 5-0 before the league shut down after five games due to COVID-19. P.J. Walker, now with the Carolina Panthers, was arguably the XFL’s best player that season.

  1. Seattle Sea Dragons
    Let’s start with the fact that the Dragons field former All-Pro receiver Josh Gordon, whose resume includes being an NFL receiving champion and the owner of a Super Bowl ring. Seattle also has an experienced quarterback in Ben DiNucci, who spent the last several years with the Cowboys.

Seattle’s coaching staff is a beacon of experience. Led by former NFL Coach of the Year Jim Haslett, the Sea Dragons’ coaching staff also includes offensive pioneer June Jones and longtime NFL executive Randy Mueller.

  1. Las Vegas Vipers
    First-time head coach Rod Woodson is hoping that the Vipers’ veteran players will turn back the clock. Those players include former NFL vets Vic Beasley (30), Matt Jones (29) and Martavis Bryant (31).

Las Vegas also has a solid quarterback in Luis Perez, a well-traveled player who briefly spent time with the Rams this past season. Perez does have competition, however, with Bryan Scott behind him on the depth chart. Scott has played in several leagues that includes a stint on the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars last year.

  1. Orlando Guardians
    Inexperience, particularly at quarterback, is the main reason why the Guardians are currently taking up the rear. Orlando could turn heads if either DeAndre Francois, Mitch Kidd or Quentin Dormady pan out.

Francois, Florida State’s former quarterback, has played in several leagues that includes Fan Controlled Football. Kidd is also an FCF alum who actually won the league’s Offensive Player of the Year. Dormady had a well-traveled college career that included time at Tennessee, Houston and Central Michigan.

Byadmin

Defenders defense stuffs Dragons, Roughnecks rough up Guardians

If you are already missing football, then you’re in luck, because a new league kicks off this weekend. The XFL is back, and there’s plenty to be intrigued by this spring. Rod Woodson and Hines Ward are new head coaches, there are some new rule changes to keep an eye on and then the rosters include some names all football fans will know.

Former All-Pro wideout Josh Gordon is a member of the Seattle Sea Dragons, former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Martavis Bryant is with the Vegas Vipers and even one of the most famous NFL punters from the past decade returns to the field, as Marquette King is booting the ball for the Arlington Renegades.

One of the most fun aspects about this league is that we don’t know what to expect. So naturally, we are going to blindly gamble on it. Every week, I’ll be posting my ATS picks for the XFL on CBSSports.com. Let’s go ahead and jump into Week 1. To view our XFL Week 1 Power Rankings, click here.

All odds are via Caesars Sportsbook

Vegas Vipers at Arlington Renegades (-2.5)
Saturday, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

This is Bob Stoops vs. Rod Woodson. Stoops’ Renegades could be the preseason No. 1 team, as they have an impressive coaching staff, a quarterback in Kyle Sloter and a star tight end in Sal Canella — who played with Sloter in the USFL. I will say, Sloter didn’t play as well as I thought he would for the New Orleans Breakers — even though he was named All-USFL. Sloter threw the second-most interceptions with 12, compared to just nine touchdowns. That said, I still believe he has potential, and could be one of the better signal-callers.

Vipers quarterback Luis Perez is a spring league veteran, and he has a few notable targets like Geronimo Allison, Jeff Badet and Martavis Bryant. But I’m interested to see how good this defense is. That unit has former NFL sack leader Vic Beasley coming off the edge. Most will likely have the Renegades winning this game, but I’m going to go out on a limb and take the underdog Vipers. Coach Woodson starts the season off with an upset victory.

The pick: Vipers +2.5
Projected score: Vipers 24-21

Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks (-2)
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

If you look around at different XFL power rankings, the majority of sportswriters are expecting the Guardians to be the worst team in the league. While that means absolutely nothing, I see where they are getting that from. The quarterback room consists of Deondre Francois, Quinten Dormady and Paxton Lynch. Orlando does have some playmakers at wide receiver, however. Cody Latimer and Eli Rogers may be players you recognize, and then JaVonta Payton led the SEC with 22.9 yards per catch in 2021 at Tennessee (min. one reception per game).

I’m not sure the Roughnecks have an elite quarterback room either, but Wade Phillips is a good coach. If you’re a Maryland Terrapins fan, the Roughnecks are the team for you (behind the D.C. Defenders, of course). They have four former Terps in the secondary with Sean Davis, A.J. Hendy, William Likely and Jordan Mosley. The Roughnecks were the XFL’s best team in 2020, going a perfect 5-0 before the league shut down due to COVID-19. I’ll lay the points with the favorites.

The pick: Roughnecks -2
Projected score: Roughnecks 16-7

St. Louis Battlehawks (-2) at San Antonio Brahmas
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

A.J. McCarron is likely going to be leading the Battlehawks into … battle, and I think he could impress some people in this league. He has a big target in Hakeem Butler out of Iowa State, who was a fourth-round pick back in 2019, but didn’t catch on at the next level. As for the Brahmas, you’ll recognize running back Kalen Ballage and of course head coach Hines Ward. Some think San Antonio could be an underrated team. Maybe it is, but I’m going to lean to McCarron in Week 1.

The pick: Battlehawks -2
Projected score: Battlehawks 23-20

Seattle Sea Dragons at DC Defenders (PICK)
Sunday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Defenders are the No. 1 team in Bryan DeArdo’s power rankings, so I’m going to have to roll with them. I haven’t watched much of quarterback Eric Dungey, so that’s going to be an interesting storyline to follow. I’m curious to see if he’s the best quarterback on roster with Jordan Ta’amu and D’Eriq King there as well, but I’m picking D.C. because of its defense. Gregg Williams is a very well-known NFL assistant/villain, and then linebacker Reggie Northrup is a veteran linebacker and MMA fighter that takes the practice field with a cigarette in his mouth.

I think Seattle is an interesting team — especially with Josh Gordon at receiver. Ben DiNucci could be a solid quarterback as well. Jim Haslett is an experienced defensive mind, but I’m going to ride with the Defenders.

Byadmin

Players, coaches, schedule, new rules, everything you need to know about rebooted league

Super Bowl LVII put an end to the NFL season, but fans don’t need to worry about having football withdrawal, not with two spring leagues playing games during the NFL’s offseason. Along with the USFL’s second season, which begins in April, the rebooted XFL is back after a two-year hiatus. The XFL will kick things off this Saturday, Feb. 18 — six days after Super Bowl LVII.

Here’s everything you need to know about the modern version of the XFL ahead of this weekend’s games.

Backstory
Initially founded in 2001, the XFL was a joint collaboration between NBC and WWF, spearheaded by Vince McMahon. After a hot start, poor ratings ultimately led to the league lasting just one season. The league returned in 2020, with McMahon leading the reboot, but had to close its doors again after COVID-19 shut things down after just five weeks. The league filed for bankruptcy and was forced to sell.

A group that includes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson then bought the league out of bankruptcy for $15 million, eyeing 2023 as its return season. For cost-saving measures, each XFL team will train in Arlington, Texas, and will only travel for game days.

Teams
The league consists of eight teams that are split into North and South divisions. Here’s a look at each team, which division they are in, and who will be coaching them in 2023.

XFL North
D.C. Defenders — Reggie Barlow
Seattle Sea Dragons — Jim Haslett
St. Louis Battlehawks — Anthony Becht
Vegas Vipers — Rod Woodson
XFL South
Arlington Renegades — Bob Stoops
Houston Roughnecks — Wade Phillips
Orlando Guardians — Terrell Buckley
San Antonio Brahmas — Hines Ward
If you’re wondering what changed between the 2020 XFL lineup and the 2023 version, there is only one team — the San Antonio Brahmas — with both a new host city and new team name. Three teams have the same nickname but a new host city: The Vegas (formerly Tampa) Vipers; the Arlington (formerly Dallas) Renegades, and the Orlando (formerly New York) Guardians. The L.A. Wildcats are no more.

Notable players
Several former notable NFL players will be part of the XFL in 2023. They include former All-Pro wideout Josh Gordon (Sea Dragons), former Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant (Vipers) and Vipers quarterback Luis Perez, a longtime NFL journeyman who started for the USFL’s New Jersey Generals last year before briefly spending time with the Rams.

Former NFL quarterbacks Ben DiNucci (Seattle), A.J. McCarron (St. Louis) — both of whom have started games in the NFL — and former NFL and USFL alums Kyle Sloter (Arlington) and Jordan Ta’amu (DC) will also take part in the XFL’s upcoming season.

Three former NFL first-round picks — quarterback Paxton Lynch (Guardians), linebacker Vic Beasley (Vipers) and safety Matt Elam (Guardians) — are also in the league. Lynch was the 26th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Broncos. Beasley, the seventh overall pick of the 2015 draft by the Falcons, was an All-Pro in 2015 with 15.5 sacks. Elam was the last pick of the first round of the draft in 2013 by the Ravens.

Running back Matt Jones (Vipers) was a third-round NFL pick in 2015 by Washington. Two punters — Marquette King (Renegades) and Brad Wing (Brahmas) — started in the NFL.

Rule changes
Like the USFL, the XFL has a few rules that distinguish itself from the NFL.

Teams can score three points after scoring a touchdown if they elect to place the ball at the 10-yard line following a touchdown.
Unlike the NFL, the clock will start in the XFL following incomplete passes and out of bounds plays prior to the two-minute warning in either half. The clock will stop after first downs after the two-minute warning in either half. There will be 10-minute halftimes.
The XFL has adopted the XFL’s onside kick alternative where a team can try to keep the ball after a score by attempting to convert a fourth-and-15 from its own 25-yard line.
Teams can complete a double forward pass as long as the first completion does not cross the original line of scrimmage.
Overtimes will consist of alternating attempts from the opponent’s 5-yard- line. Each team will get three attempts or until a winner is declared.
How to watch
All 43 XFL games will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Each game will also be streamed on ESPN+.

Week 1 schedule
Saturday, Feb. 18: Vegas Vipers at Arlington Renegades (Choctaw Stadium) — 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+
Saturday, Feb. 18: Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks (at TDECU Stadium) — 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/FX and ESPN+
Sunday, Feb. 19: St. Louis Battlehawks at San Antonio Brahmas (at The Alamodome) — at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+
Sunday, Feb. 19: Seattle Sea Dragons at D.C. Defenders (at Audi Field) — 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+
Season schedule and playoffs
The XFL will play a 10-game regular season that will conclude Sunday, April 23. Four teams will then take part in two semifinal games, with the two winners participating in the XFL Championship that will be played on Saturday, May 13.

Byadmin

2023 XFL picks, Week 1 bets by proven pro football expert

The new-look XFL returns to the field for the first time in three years when the Arlington Renegades host the Vegas Vipers in the 2023 season opener on Saturday at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas. With new owners, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and eight teams from Seattle to Washington, D.C., the XFL hopes to finish what it could not three years ago. In 2020 the league was able to play only half of its 10-game season before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to cancel the rest of the season. The Renegades vs. Vipers game is the first of four games this weekend.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET. Arlington is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Renegades vs. Vipers odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 36. Before locking in any Vipers vs. Renegades picks or XFL predictions of your own, you need to see what pro football expert R.J. White has to say.

White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 535-450-30 on his ATS picks from 2017-22, which returned more than $3,500 to $100 players. He also closed the NFL season on an incredible 107-80-6 on his last 193 against-the-spread and total NFL picks during the 2022 NFL season, returning more than $1,800 for $100 bettors.

White has crushed not only the NFL but also the XFL during its abbreviated 2020 season, going 16-4 on XFL ATS picks before the league suspended operations. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, he has locked in on Renegades vs. Vipers and released a confident against-the-spread pick that is available only at SportsLine. Go to SportsLine to see it. Here are the XFL lines and trends for Vipers vs. Renegades:

Renegades vs. Vipers spread: Arlington -3.5
Renegades vs. Vipers over/under: 36 points
Renegades vs. Vipers money line: Arlington -178, Vegas +150
ARL: TE Sal Cannella had 34 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns in the USFL in 2022.
VEG: QB Luis Perez completed 72% of his passes in the USFL in 2022.
Renegades vs. Vipers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Renegades can cover
Arlington has a prolific quarterback in Drew Plitt. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Plitt played five seasons at Ball State and finished second in program history in completions (777) and third in passing yards (9,062) and passing touchdowns (68). In brief action with the Bengals last preseason, he completed 7-of-8 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown.

In addition, the Renegades have a running back with NFL experience in Keith Ford. The 5-foot-10, 219-pound Ford has spent time on the roster of the Bills, Colts and Packers. He has played in two NFL games, running for 79 yards on 21 carries.

Why the Vipers can cover
Vegas has receivers with NFL experience. Martavis Bryant had 145 receptions for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns in four seasons with the Steelers and Raiders. Meanwhile Geronimo Allison had 89 receptions for 1,045 and six touchdowns in parts of five seasons with the Packers and Lions.

Bryant and Allison will be catching passes from a prolific passer in Luis Perez. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Perez was a two-year starter at Texas A&M-Commerce where he threw for 8,327 yards and 78 touchdowns and led the team to the Div. II national championship in 2017. That season he also won the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is the Div. II equivalent to the Heisman Trophy.

How to make Renegades vs. Vipers picks
White has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he’s leaning Under the total, he has discovered a crucial x-factor that makes one side of the spread a must-back. He’s sharing it only at SportsLine.

Who wins Vipers vs. Renegades? And what critical x-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Renegades vs. Vipers spread you should jump on, all from the top pro football expert who brought in more than $1,800 last season in the NFL, and find out.

Byadmin

2023 XFL picks, Week 1 bets from proven expert

The Houston Roughnecks were the class of the XFL in 2020, winning all five of their games before the league was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Houston attempts to pick up right where it left off when it hosts the Orlando Guardians in the 2023 season opener for both teams on Saturday. The Roughnecks were offensive juggernauts in 2020 as they led the XFL with 158 points and a plus-47 point differential. The Guardians begin their first season in the Sunshine State after spending 2020 in New York, where they posted a 3-2 record.

Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at TDECU Stadium. Houston is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Roughnecks vs. Guardians odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 35. Before making any Guardians vs. Roughnecks picks or XFL predictions of your own, you need to see what pro football expert R.J. White has to say.

White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 535-450-30 on his ATS picks from 2017-22, which returned more than $3,500 to $100 players. He also closed the NFL season on an incredible 107-80-6 on his last 193 against-the-spread and total NFL picks during the 2022 NFL season, returning more than $1,800 for $100 bettors.

White has crushed not only the NFL but also the XFL during its abbreviated 2020 season, going 16-4 on XFL ATS picks before the league suspended operations. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, he has locked in on Roughnecks vs. Guardians and released a confident against-the-spread pick that is available only at SportsLine. Here are the XFL lines and trends for Guardians vs. Roughnecks:

Roughnecks vs. Guardians spread: Houston -3.5
Roughnecks vs. Guardians over/under: 35 points
Roughnecks vs. Guardians money line: Houston -178, Orlando +150
HOU: S Sean Davis made five interceptions and 2.5 sacks in 70 NFL games from 2016-21
ORL: DE Stansly Maponga played in the NFL, XFL and CFL before signing with the Guardians
Roughnecks vs. Guardians picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Roughnecks can cover
Head coach Wade Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart have a lot with which to work in Houston. The secondary includes safety Sean Davis, who recorded five interceptions and 259 tackles over six NFL seasons with four teams. Also in the defensive backfield is cornerback William Likely, who set a number of records at the University of Maryland and was named to the 2022 All-USFL Team after finishing third in the league with four interceptions for the Houston Gamblers.

The Roughnecks also should have a strong defensive line with tackles C.J. Brewer and Glen Logan terrorizing opposing quarterbacks. The 25-year-old Brewer starred at Coastal Carolina for five seasons and appeared in two games for the Buffalo Bills this past campaign. Logan, who is 24 years old, was a five-year letter-winner at LSU and helped the Tigers to the national championship in 2019.

Why the Guardians can cover
Orlando is coached by former NFL cornerback Terrell Buckley, who was a member of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXVI championship team. Buckley has a solid staff under him that includes defensive line coach Ty Warren (two-time Super Bowl champion defensive end) and offensive coordinator Robert Ford, who won three Super Bowls while serving as tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys. Former NFL signal-caller Shane Matthews also is on hand as quarterbacks coach and will be tasked with trying to get the most out of a group that includes Paxton Lynch.

Lynch is expected to be under center against the Roughnecks on Saturday. The 29-year-old was selected 26th overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2016 NFL Draft after forgoing his senior year at the University of Memphis. Lynch appeared in five games — four starts — with the Broncos from 2016-17, throwing for 792 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions, and had five TD passes and four interceptions for the Michigan Panthers of the USFL last year.

How to make Guardians vs. Roughnecks picks
White has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he’s leaning Under the total, he has discovered a crucial x-factor that makes one side of the spread a must-back. He’s sharing it only at SportsLine.

Byadmin

2023 XFL picks, Week 1 bets by proven expert

Football fans will be treated to the opening of a new XFL season this weekend. The eight-team league kicks off its action with two games each on Saturday and Sunday, with the opener on Sunday centered in San Antonio. The Alamodome hosts a battle between the San Antonio Brahmas and the St. Louis Battlehawks. The Battlehawks represent the XFL North against the Brahmas from the XFL South.

Kickoff is at 3 p.m. ET in San Antonio. Caesars Sportsbook lists St. Louis as the 3-point road favorite, while the over/under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 35 in the latest Battlehawks vs. Brahmas odds. Before making any Brahmas vs. Battlehawks picks or XFL predictions of your own, you need to see what pro football expert R.J. White has to say.

White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 535-450-30 on his ATS picks from 2017-22, which returned more than $3,500 to $100 players. He also closed the NFL season on an incredible 107-80-6 on his last 193 against-the-spread and total NFL picks during the 2022 NFL season, returning more than $1,800 for $100 bettors.

White has crushed not only the NFL but also the XFL during its abbreviated 2020 season, going 16-4 on XFL ATS picks before the league suspended operations. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, he has locked in on Battlehawks vs. Brahmas and released a confident against-the-spread pick that is available only at SportsLine. Here are the XFL lines and trends for Brahmas vs. Battlehawks:

Battlehawks vs. Brahmas spread: Battlehawks -3
Battlehawks vs. Brahmas over/under: 35 points
Battlehawks vs. Brahmas money line: Battlehawks -155, Brahmas +130
Battlehawks vs. Brahmas picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Battlehawks can cover
St. Louis has notable talent on the offensive side of the ball, especially at the skill positions. Running back Brian Hill projects to be a dynamic force in the XFL, as the former fifth-round pick from Wyoming has four NFL touchdowns on his resume and extensive experience. The Battlehawks also have a proven entity in quarterback AJ McCarron, with the 32-year-old bringing eight years of NFL experience to the table.

He is a rare example of a proven NFL player showing up in a spring environment, and McCarron should display a steady hand. McCarron can also utilize a deep stable of wide receivers, including Austin Proehl, Hakeem Butler, and No. 1 draft pick Marcell Ateman. On defense, linebacker Mike Rose started for four years at Iowa State and was one of the final cuts of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 at the age of 22.

Why the Brahmas can cover
San Antonio projects to have a dynamic running game behind the work of Kalen Ballage. The 27-year-old is a four-year NFL veteran, appearing for the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers. Ballage has more than 650 yards on 213 carries over four seasons, and he was a fourth-round pick out of Arizona State following a career that included an eight-touchdown game against Texas Tech.

San Antonio also seems to be in safe hands with quarterback Jack Coan, who led Notre Dame to an 11-2 record and a top-10 ranking in his final college season at Notre Dame. With an experienced offensive coordinator in Jamie Elizondo and a headline-grabbing head coach in Hines Ward, San Antonio should be strong on offense.

How to make Brahmas vs. Battlehawks picks
White has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he’s leaning Under the total, he has discovered a crucial x-factor that makes one side of the spread a must-back. He’s sharing it only at SportsLine.