Columbus Aviators vs Birmingham Stallions Picks and Prediction for Sunday May 17 2026
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The Columbus Aviators and Birmingham Stallions will meet at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, May 17, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM. The Stallions enter this matchup as slight favorites with Birmingham listed at -2.5 while Columbus comes in at +2.5. The moneyline odds currently sit at Birmingham -138 and Columbus +118, while the total for the game is set at 45.5 points. Birmingham enters the game trying to build on back-to-back victories while Columbus looks to recover from another tough road loss. Be sure to check out our free UFL picks.
Starting Quarterbacks Preview
Jalan McClendon has been one of the brighter spots for the Columbus Aviators this season despite the team’s 2-5 record. He enters this matchup with 1,225 passing yards along with eight touchdown passes and four interceptions. McClendon currently ranks fourth in the league in both passing yards and touchdown passes. On the opposite sideline, Dorian Thompson-Robinson has thrown for 762 passing yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions for Birmingham. Thompson-Robinson ranks seventh in passing yards this season while helping guide Birmingham to consecutive victories entering this matchup.
Columbus Looking for Consistency on the Road
The Columbus Aviators enter this contest with a 2-5 overall record and are currently sitting at the bottom of the conference standings. Columbus has struggled to maintain momentum throughout the season, alternating wins and losses over the last several weeks. The Aviators recently lost 20-31 on the road against St. Louis after previously defeating Houston 24-17 at home. Earlier in the season, Columbus also dropped a 13-17 road matchup against Houston but managed a strong 28-14 victory against Dallas before losing another close contest against Dallas by a score of 23-28.
Offensively, Columbus has been fairly balanced compared to several teams in the league. The Aviators are averaging 21.4 points per game while producing 158.6 passing yards and 138.7 rushing yards per contest. The rushing attack has clearly been a major part of the offensive identity, and Columbus has consistently generated more production on the ground than Birmingham. Defensively, the Aviators have allowed 24.9 points per game while giving up 143.0 passing yards and 119.7 rushing yards per game.
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One area that stands out for Columbus is the team’s rushing production. Averaging nearly 139 rushing yards per game gives the Aviators a physical offensive approach that can help control tempo. However, the defense has had trouble preventing opponents from scoring consistently, as nearly 25 points allowed per game has placed pressure on the offense to keep pace throughout the season.
Birmingham Attempting to Extend Winning Streak
The Birmingham Stallions come into this matchup with a 3-4 record and currently hold fourth place in the conference standings. Birmingham has managed to recover after a difficult stretch earlier in the season and now enters Sunday’s game riding a two-game winning streak. The Stallions recently earned a 21-17 home victory over Dallas after defeating Orlando 20-17 on the road. Before those wins, Birmingham suffered back-to-back losses against DC and Orlando, including a difficult 0-16 home defeat. Earlier in the year, the Stallions also lost a close 30-34 road contest against St. Louis.
The Stallions have averaged 19.1 points per game this season while relying heavily on the passing attack. Birmingham is producing 217.3 passing yards per game but only 75.6 rushing yards per contest. Defensively, the Stallions are allowing 23.4 points per game while surrendering 223.7 passing yards and 106.9 rushing yards. Birmingham has clearly leaned on its passing game throughout the season, while the rushing attack has struggled to generate consistent production.
The biggest strength for Birmingham entering this matchup may be recent momentum. After dropping three straight games earlier in the schedule, the Stallions have now won consecutive close contests and appear to be playing with more confidence. The passing game has also provided steady offensive production, especially compared to the more run-heavy approach used by Columbus.
Columbus Aviators vs Birmingham Stallions Picks and Prediction
Columbus Aviators vs Birmingham Stallions Pick
- Pick: Birmingham Stallions -2.5
Birmingham enters this matchup with momentum after winning back-to-back games against Dallas and Orlando, while Columbus has continued to struggle with consistency throughout the season. The Stallions also hold a significant edge in passing production, averaging 217.3 passing yards per game compared to 158.6 for the Aviators. Birmingham has also allowed fewer points per game defensively, giving up 23.4 points compared to 24.9 for Columbus. With the game being played at Protective Stadium and Birmingham carrying recent confidence into this matchup, the Stallions appear to have the edge.
Columbus Aviators vs Birmingham Stallions Total Pick
- Pick: Under 45.5
I am leaning toward the under in this matchup because both teams have recently played several lower-scoring games. Birmingham has seen the under hit in four of its last five contests, including games with totals of 38, 37, and 16 points. Columbus has also stayed under the total in three of its last five games. Even though both teams have capable offenses, recent trends show several close, controlled matchups, and I believe this game could stay below the posted number.
Final Score Prediction: Birmingham Stallions 24 – Columbus Aviators 20
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