In the power rankings, though, there is a new No. 1 squad and two teams that no one wants to play in Canton.
1. The Generals of New Jersey (8-1)
The Generals have established themselves as the most well-rounded squad in the USFL. They've won eight straight games since their lone loss in Week 1 against the Birmingham Stallions.
They've won by passing the ball, running it, and playing excellent defense when it counts. Given how his players have created an old-school, hard-nosed identity and selflessly played for each other, Generals head coach Mike Riley should be optimistic about his team's chances of winning the inaugural USFL title.
Houston Gamblers, No. 2 (2-7)
The Gamblers climbed to No. 2 after defeating the local Stallions for the first time. Despite being outgained by almost 100 yards, Kevin Sumlin's team relied on another solid defensive performance, which resulted in the club's second victory.
Linebacker Donald Payne has surpassed 100 tackles for the first time this season, defensive end Chris Odom leads the league in sacks, and defensive back Will Likely has established himself as one of the league's two greatest cornerbacks.
The Gamblers would undoubtedly be a playoff club if they could score as well as they defend.
The Houston Gamblers are the first team to lose to the Birmingham Stallions.
Houston quarterback Kenji Bahar made his first season start and threw for 164 yards and one touchdown to lead the Gamblers' offense.
3. Stallions of Birmingham (8-1)
After his team's first loss, Skip Holtz expressed it best.
He declared, "Statistics are for losers."
He was correct on Saturday. Because they couldn't run the ball consistently, the Stallions lost the field position fight and were forced to play a one-dimensional game against the Gambler defense.
Backs on the ground Bo Scarbrough and CJ Marable rushed for 57 yards on 20 carries, averaging less than three yards per carrying. Even though quarterback J'Mar Smith had one of his better games statistically — 28 of 41 for 260 yards — his final pass was the one that ended the game.
Micah Abernathy, a Gamblers defensive back, intercepted that ball to give Houston the two-point victory.
Philadelphia Stars, No. 4 (6-3)
Coach Bart Andrus decided to bench starting quarterback Case Cookus in favor of backup KJ Costello after the Stars' poor start against Pittsburgh on Sunday night. However, the Stars appeared to be on their way to losing to the Maulers when a fake field goal resulted in a touchdown until running back Matt Colburn sprinted 51 yards to the end zone.
Colburn rushed for 97 yards and has established himself as a weapon in an otherwise pass-heavy attack. The Stars are one of the USFL's two hottest teams, and they're shaping up to be a tough out in Canton, Ohio, where the playoffs kick off on June 25.
New Orleans Breakers, No. 5 (6-3)
In what could turn out to be an All-USFL season, the Breakers' defense came alive against the Tampa Bay Bandits, with linebacker Jerod Fernandez recording eight tackles, two for a loss, and two forced turnovers.
Alongside the defensive end, Davin Bellamy and defensive back Vontae Diggs, Fernandez, and the Breakers' defense have shown themselves as one of the league's best. Now, if only they could find some consistency at quarterback.
Larry Fedora, the New Orleans Saints head coach, would certainly like to see that. Despite telling the media that Kyle Sloter is the starter, he benched Sloter in the first half in favor of former Tulsa quarterback Zach Smith.
Smith performed excellently until he injured his upper arm. Smith could have played, but Fedora said he elected to go back to Sloter, who hasn't looked like the player he was at the halfway point of the season. Despite throwing more than twice as many passes as Smith, Sloter threw for fewer yards and threw his 11th interception in nine games. This season, he's only thrown nine touchdowns.
The reward for Fedora and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone securing the final playoff slot in the inaugural USFL playoffs is a trip to the Super Bowl.
Before their journey to Canton, they only have one game to repair their passing offense.
Panthers of Michigan, No. 6 (1-8)
Despite a fantastic seven-catch, 129-yard receiving performance from Joe Walker, the Panthers fell just short of claiming their second victory of the season.
When quarterback Luis Perez hit the wide receiver, Darrius Shepherd, on a fade route to the end zone, they came up just short of defeating the Generals. And that's essentially how Jeff Fisher's team has performed this season.
They've been in practically every game they've ever played and have yet to strike it rich.
Tampa Bay Bandits (#7) (4-5)
Jordan Ta'amu, the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, took a lot of jabs at the New Orleans Saints. The quarterback completed 22 of 39 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown. He did, however, throw two interceptions.
When Ta'amu wasn't getting into mischief, his teammates were. Bandits head coach Todd Haley had chances to get back into the game against the Breakers, but penalties, bad decision-making, and bench friction all added to a miserable day for the Bandits.
Tampa Bay outgained New Orleans in overall yardage, passing yardage, yards per play, and time of possession, but lost the ball over four times, more than twice as much as the Saints.
8. The Maulers of Pittsburgh (1-8)
Early in the fourth quarter, the Maulers clawed their way ahead of the Stars, gaining a touchdown lead with just over 12 minutes remaining. However, as the fourth quarter progressed, they could not contain the Stars' firepower.
On the other hand, Pittsburgh head coach Kirby Wilson can rely on Jarren Horton's defense. On Sunday evening, the Stars completed nine 23 pass attempts for 131 yards, one interception, and no touchdowns.
RJ Young is the host of the podcast "The No. 1 Ranked Show with RJ Young," as well as a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports.
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