The Alliance of American Football, the AAF, kicks off it’s inaugural season on Saturday, Feb. 9 when the Atlanta Legends head to Orlando to battle the Apollos, and the San Antonio commanders host the San Diego Fleet. Then, on Sunday, Feb. 10, the Birmingham Iron hosts the Memphis Express before the Salt Lake Stallions travel to Arizona to battle the Hotshots. Check out the latest AAF odds and analysis for Week 1!
AAF Week 1 Betting Odds, Predictions & Picks
Saturday, Feb. 9
Atlanta Legends at Orlando Apollos
- AAF Week 1 Odds: Atlanta Legends +5 / Orlando Apollos -5
The old ball coach, Steve Spurrier, leads Orlando into their first ever AAF battle on Saturday. Spurrier was last seen running the South Carolina Gamecocks’ football program. He had decent success considering he coached an SEC team in the Age of Alabama.
Spurrier’s team looks like their better than Atlanta on paper. But, the odds are probably more because he’s the coach than whether the Apollos players are actually better. In fact, Atlanta might have an edge in talent and in the coaching staff.
Former Cincinnati defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle is Atlanta’s head coach. He’s got more recent NFL coaching experience than any one in AAF. Not only that, former Atlanta great Mike Vick’s the offensive coordinator. Vick knows football and will use quarterback Aaron Murray and running back Denard Robinson creatively enough to keep this within the number.
AAF Week 1 Pick: Atlanta Legends +5
San Diego Fleet at San Antonio Commanders
- AFF Week 1 Odds: San Diego Fleet +3 / San Antonio Commanders -3
Mike Martz, a Super Bowl winning coach with the St. Louis Rams, heads up the San Diego Fleet. The defensive coordinator, Larry Marmie, used to run the Miami Hurricanes college program. Has the game passed those two by?
Maybe. The Commanders have gone with Mike Riley who not only has college experience having coached both Oregon State and Nebraska, but also NFL experience as the head coach at the then San Diego Chargers.
Riley’s team looks slightly more talented. Quarterbacks Marquise Williams and Logan Woodside can sling it all over the field while 6’ 5” West Texas A&M QB Dustin Vaughn could be the AAF’s answer to Carson Wentz. Going with the Commanders to cover.
AAF Week 1 Pick: San Antonio Commanders -3
Sunday, Feb. 10
Memphis Express at Birmingham Iron
- AFF Week 1 Odds: Memphis Express +3 / Birmingham Iron -3
Mike Singletary had winning teams as the head coach of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. He’ll automatically field a great Memphis defense because Singletary calls excellent defensive schemes. It’s no mistake that 4 players along the Express’s defensive line cut their teeth on SEC squads. The hall of fame Chicago Bears linebacker knows he must start on both sides of the line to be competitive.
Birmingham counters with an offense led by former Alabama and NFL running back Trent Richardson. If Richardson has any football left, he’s probably the best player on either roster. But, Richardson might not be ready to go against a fired up defense like the one Singletary will field. Taking the points here.
AAF Week 1 Pick: Memphis Express +3
Salt Lake Stallions at Arizona Hotshots
- AAF Week 1 Odds: Salt Lake Stallions +3.5 / Arizona Hotshots -3.5
Everybody loves the Arizona Hotshots to win the AAF Championship. It makes sense. Offensive coordinator Hugh Freeze created one of the few teams in the nation that could hang with Alabama while the head coach at Ole Miss. Rick Neuheisel was thought of as a football genius before having issues as the head coach at Washington.
On paper, Salt Lake seems as talented. No doubt, though, Freeze’s recency, he coached the Rebels until July, 2017, gives him a play-call edge. The Hotshots should win and cover.
AAF Week 1 Pick: Arizona Hotshots -3 ½
