UFL Power 2026 rankings: Renegades, storm in the lead after week 2

UFL co-owner Mike Repole – helmet and all – appeared on the sideline next to Orlando Storm head coach Anthony Becht to offer insight and strategy as one of the league’s newest teams took the court for the first time in the second half in their Week 2 matchup against fellow rookie Louisville Kings on Saturday night. He wasn’t there to watch the game from a better perspective. Quite the contrary, in fact. Repole participated in a conversation with the two-series broadcast crew about some of the rule changes being implemented for the 2026 season and how Becht might consider calling plays to extend the Storm’s 12-9 advantage at the time. “What are you going to do here, Anthony?” Repole said. “Well, I took my headphones to hear you,” Becht said, with two headphones on his head. “I have two headphones here. You’re making my paycheck right now.” “Well, if you score a touchdown, you get your paycheck,” Repole said with a laugh. Becht and the Storm didn’t get the touchdown, but they got the win. Now I want to see Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on the sideline with a helmet next to head coach Brian Schottenheimer waving a proverbial NFL paycheck above his head while advising him on play selection. Isn’t it? With that said, here’s a look at my second UFL power rankings list of the season: 8. Columbus Aviators (0-2) Week 2 results: Lost to Defenders, 44-26. Current odds to win the 2026 title: +2500 Quarterback Jalan McClendon racked up 212 total offensive yards with three total touchdowns and one interception, but the Aviators offensive line struggled to protect, allowing four sacks. Columbus also turned the ball over four times. What’s encouraging for this team, though, is their 100% score against the Defenders, going 4 of 4. 7. Louisville Kings (0-2) Week 2 Results: Lost to Storm, 19-9 Current Odds to Win 2026 Title: +3000 The Kings wouldn’t have been able to run the ball against the Storm even if we gave every player and pair of Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez’s Flyers PF. Only 26 of their 216 total yards came on the ground. The Kings went 3-for-12 on third down and became quite synonymous with the phrase “third and long.” They had as many penalties (nine) as first downs. However, Kings head coach Chris Redmond has enough talent on his roster to turn things around. 6. Birmingham Stallions (1-1) Week 2 results: Lost to the Gamblers, 22-20. Current odds to win the 2026 title: +360 For the second week in a row, the Stallions faced an opponent they were unable to eliminate. This week, they let a second victory slip away, as the Gamblers kicked a field goal to hand Birmingham their first defeat. Stallions quarterback Matt Corral completed 21 of 27 passes for 226 yards with two scores and two interceptions. He completed five passes to three different receivers. Offense is not the problem. If special teams hadn’t had a player lined up in an illegal position during a field goal attempt, a Houston touchdown could have just been a field goal. Birmingham has reached the maturity process where fighting is the real obstacle to winning with comfort and consistency. 5. DC Defenders (1-1) Week 2 results: Aviators defeated, 44-26 Current odds to win 2026 title: +350 Running back Deon Jackson gave up three touchdowns, and the Defenders racked up 319 yards of offense in a bombardment of the Aviators in their home debut. Jackson finished with 97 rushing yards on 11 attempts (8.8 yards per carry), while the Defenders’ defense created four takeaways and seven tackles for loss. 4. Houston Gamblers (1-1) Week 1 results: Stallions lose, 22-20 Current odds to win 2026 title: +2500 On the leg of kicker John Hoyland, the Gamblers picked up their first victory for head coach Kevin Sumlin since his return to professional football. Hoyland made all five of his field goal attempts, including the game-winning field goal from 50 yards out. 3. St. Louis Battlehawks (1-1) Week 2 results: Lost to Renegades, 31-15 Current odds to win 2026 title: +550 The Battlehawks have struggled against the league’s best team during this young season. Quarterback Brandon Silvers went 22 of 39 for 186 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. His partnership with former Iowa State player Hakeem Butler has potential, but there were three instances in Tuesday’s game where Silvers and Butler just couldn’t find each other. The good news for St. Louis fans, however, is that tight end Tyler Neville was ready when Silvers turned to him late in the fourth quarter for the Battlehawks’ first touchdown of the game. Butler made a three-point conversion later. The Battlehawks’ late determination against the Renegades bodes well for them later this season as the pecking order begins to form. 2. Orlando Storm (2-0) Week 2 results: Kings lost, 19-9 Current odds to win 2026 title: +425 Quarterback Jack Plummer nearly ruined what should have been a comfortable victory with a late interception thrown from the Kings 1-yard line with 2:48 left. The Storm defense, however, rallied to seal the victory, as it did all day. Plummer went 18-for-23 for 182 yards. 1. Dallas Renegades (2-0) Week 2 results: Battlehawks defeat, 31-15. Current odds to win the 2026 title: +275. Tyler Vaughns, aka “must-see television,” showed why he’s one of the best players in the league with a second straight jaw-dropping performance. The former USC star caught 11 passes for 146 yards in a resounding victory for Dallas, which once again held onto the top spot in these rankings this week. Vaughns and quarterback Austin Reed tied UFL records for receiving touchdowns (three) and passing touchdowns (three) in a single game in a double-digit win. Although Reed had back-to-back games with 240 or more passing yards, he wanted the NFL to know that its WR1 was not expected to play long on Tuesday night. “This guy (Vaughns) should play on Sunday,” Reed said after the game. “If you’re an NFL team and you don’t watch it, what do you do?”