Steve Irvine’s Stallions vs Storm Preview
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - April 18, 2026
By Steve Irvine
ORLANDO STORM AT BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
Kickoff time, site: 3 p.m. Protective Stadium, Birmingham
TV: Fox
Records: Birmingham (1-2); Orlando (3-0)
Coaches: AJ McCarron (Birmingham); Anthony Becht (Orlando).
THREE THINGS TO WATCH WHEN STALLIONS HAVE THE FOOTBALL
Will turnovers once again be a factor? Matt Corral has done some nice things for the Stallions offense during the first three weeks of the season. But he has also thrown four interceptions in the past two weeks. One of the interceptions was returned for a touchdown. Birmingham lost both of those games. The Stallions did not turn the ball over in the opening game against Louisville. The Stallions won that game. It’s not a coincidence. Bad things happen when a team commits turnovers. The Storm has only two takeaways – one fumble, one interception – in the first two weeks.
Can the Stallions offensive line give Matt Corral time to be comfortable in the pocket? St. Louis had just one sack in last Sunday’s win over Birmingham. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the Battlehawks got consistent pressure on Corral and made it difficult for him to get in rhythm. Orlando has just six sacks as a team but defensive end Keshawn Banks is third in the UFL with three sacks. Chris Garrett, who is listed ahead of Banks on the depth chart, has two sacks.
Will a new kicker make an immediate difference? Inconsistency cost Jonathan Garibay his job. Now it’s up to former Auburn kicker Anders Carlson to bring the consistency back to the kicking game. Remember, Carlson had accuracy issues at the end of his Auburn career and during his rookie season in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. He missed 13 kicks as a rookie, which was the most in the NFL that season.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH WHEN THE KINGS HAVE THE FOOTBALL
Can the Birmingham defense makes the plays late in the game, if needed, to hold onto the lead? The winning points in the last two weeks have come on the opponents’ last full drive of the game. The Stallions had chances to get off the field during each of those drives but failed to stop conversion downs. St. Louis was 3-for-3 on third down in last week’s game winning drive with the winning touchdown coming on third down.
Will turnovers be a factor? The Stallions forced a UFL-high seven turnovers through the first three weeks. Three of those came last week, including an interception and return for a touchdown by Mario Goodrich. Orlando is one of two UFL teams that has just one giveaway. The turnover battle will be intriguing in this one.
Can the Stallions make Orlando one-dimensional on offense? Balance is part of Orlando’s offense, even though the passing game is more productive to this point. Orlando running back Jashaun Corbin is second in the UFL is rushing yards but the Storm averages 100 yards on the ground per game. Orlando quarterback Jack Plummer has thrown for 671 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.