Steve Irvine’s Stallions vs RENEGADES Preview
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - May 9, 2026
By Steve Irvine
DALLAS RENEGADES AT BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
Kickoff day, kickoff time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m., Protective Stadium
TV: ESPN
Records: Birmingham (2-4); Orlando (3-3)
Coaches: AJ McCarron (Birmingham); Rick Neuheisel (Dallas).
THREE THINGS TO WATCH WHEN STALLIONS HAVE THE FOOTBALL
How will Dorian Thompson-Robinson distribute the ball in the passing game? Justyn Ross and Jaydon Mickens had the bulk of the production in last week’s win at Orlando. Deon Cain did not have a catch in the game. John Ross is no longer with the team but the Stallions still have a loaded group of receivers with Daewood Davis and Jabre Barber poised to get more opportunities. Elijah Cooks joined the team this week. Jordan Thomas is also a big play threat at tight end. It’s impossible to take away everything.
Can the Stallions play turnover free once again? Birmingham did not turn the ball over in its two wins this season. The Stallions have a combined eight turnovers in the four losses. Turnovers matter. The Dallas defense has seven interceptions this season but have not recovered a fumble.
Will Dallas pressure Dorian Thompson-Robinson into mistakes? The Renegades are third in the UFL in sacks with 15 entering this week’s games. Outside linebacker Willie Taylor III has a team-high four sacks while eight other Renegade defenders have at least one sack. The Stallions allowed eight sacks in the first six games.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH WHEN THE RENEGADES HAVE THE FOOTBALL
How effective will the Dallas passing game be on Saturday night? Statistically speaking, no offense in the UFL is throwing the ball better than Austin Reed and the Renegades. Reed’s 1,360 passing yards leads the UFL and his 13 touchdown passes are also first in the league. Tyler Vaughns leads the UFL in catches (34), receiving yards (438) and receiving touchdowns (5). But Reed is also prone to mistakes with a UFL-high seven interceptions.
Will Dallas try to run the football? The Renegades average 21 rushing attempts per game, which is the second lowest total in the UFL. Dae Dae Hunter is an effective running back but the focus is on throwing the football. Mixing in the run could be part of the plan, though, with the Stallions allowing 103 yards per game on the ground.
Can the Stallions defense get off the field on conversion downs? Nobody is better when you combine third and fourth down conversions in the UFL than the Renegades. Dallas converted on 46.8 percent of its conversion downs over the first six weeks. Birmingham is last in the NFL in conversion down defense, allowing opponents to be successful 46.3 percent of the time.