Although the 2018 NFL season has come to a conclusion, it doesn’t mean that football is over until the fall. A new league — the AAF — is getting underway this weekend. BetDSI sportsbook has posted odds on each of the teams, so let’s take a closer look and see if there’s any value on the board:
Arizona Hotshots regular season win total
Over 6.5 (-110)
Under 6.5 (-120)
The Arizona Hotshots are expected to have the best regular season according to the oddsmakers at BetDSI. They’ll be led by head coach Rick Neuheisel, who did have some successful seasons at Washington University in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
At quarterback will be Trevor Knight, the Oklahoma Sooner who backed up Baker Mayfield. He’ll have an NFL-caliber weapon in Josh Huff, as well as with tight end Joseph Fauria. The team also has Will Sutton and Rahim Moore on defense. It’s not that impressive, so go with the under.
Orlando Apollos regular season win total
Over 6 (-115)
Under 6 (-115)
The Apollos have one of the highest regular season win totals and that’s because of the head coach — Steve Spurrier. He was ahead of his time with the pass-first, fun-and-gun offense, but it might really work these days.
They have Garrett Gilbert at quarterback, who has spent time with the Carolina Panthers and the former SMU starter should know all about pass-first offenses. This roster has a number of other NFL players, though, including Will Hill at safety. He’s a Pro Bowl type of talent but ran out of chances in the NFL. They also have Josh Evans, Jerel Worthy LaDarius Gunter and Jordan McCray. They should hit the over.
San Antonio Commanders regular season win total
Over 5.5 (-130)
Under 5.5 (+100)
San Antonio will be led by Mike Riley, the former Oregon State head coach. We’ll have to see what he’s capable of doing in this league, but he is a seasoned coach. He’ll have some talent to work with, although not many big names. He’ll have Dustin Vaughan at quarterback, Kenneth Farrow II at running back and MeKale McKay at wide receiver.
Memphis Express regular season win total
Over 5 (-120)
Under 5 (-110)
The Express will play at the Liberty Bowl in Memorial Stadium and will have a number of familiar names and faces. Mike Singletary will be head coach and they’ll be led by Christian Hackenberg at quarterback, the once-supposed future of the New York Jets at the position.
With Zac Stacy joining him in the backfield and a former NFL head coach, I’ll take a flier on the over.
San Diego Fleet regular season win total
Over 4.5 (-130)
Under 4.5 (+100)
One coach who should love the new wave of football is Mike Martz, who was the pass-first guru of the early 2000’s. Nowadays, his system might actually work. He’ll have Mike Bercovici under center, along with Kameron Kelly at wideout and former Dallas Cowboys’ player Gavin Escobar at tight end.
Martz has been known to make non-descript offensive parts look good (see: Marc Bulger), so it wouldn’t be a surprise if this team did well and went over 4.5.
Other AAF Regular Season Win Totals
Salt Lake Stallions regular season win total
Over 4.5 (-120)
Under 4.5 (-110)
Atlanta Legends regular season win total
Over 4 (-115)
Under 4 (-115)
Birmingham Iron regular season win total
Over 3.5 (-110)
Under 3.5 (-120)
