1980 Conference Championships Preview

Could we see a team in the USFL go worst-to-first?

Joe Richardson (10)

It would be sort of like this for the Washington Federals, if this continues. Washington finished last in the Atlantic Division in 1977, third in 1978 and '79, and claimed its first division title this season. The Federals are now in the National Conference championship game, thanks to a 35-19 win over the Tampa Bay Bandits in the divisional round.

The Feds will face the New Orleans VooDoo in Saturday's game to determine half of the World Bowl VII pairing. The other half sees the defending champion Memphis Showboats taking on the Detroit Wheels for the American Conference crown. A look at both games:

Washington Federals at New Orleans VooDoo: MFN has made New Orleans a 6-point favorite in this one. The VooDoo steamrolled the Shreveport Steamer, 29-10, after taking a 23-3 halftime lead. James Lightfoot fired three TD passes, one of 87 yards to James Sheckler. The Federals never trailed against Tampa Bay as WRs Matt Ellis and Roger Saddler combined for 277 yards receiving and four TDs, all from QB Joe Richardson.The teams last met in 1979, New Orleans winning, 33-12. The VooDoo lead the series, 3-0. Federals DT Richard Fleming is questionable. All of the New Orleans roster is available.

Detroit Wheels at Memphis Showboats: MFN has made the defending World Bowl champion Showboats a 3-point favorite. Memphis scored 42 points in the first half while taking apart the Oklahoma Outlaws, 49-19. Gregory Shea ran for three TDs in the game's first 15:03 and Jerome Wheeler and Ernest McNeill combined for 291 receiving yards. Detroit took a 29-6 halftime lead against Portland and went on to quiet the Storm, 39-27. Chuck Johnson recorded two of the three Wheels interceptions of Portland QB William Hill and RDE Ray Franklin sacked Hill four times. Memphis leads the regular-season series, 2-1, including a 47-44 victory in Week 10 this season. The Showboats also beat the Wheels, 15-12 in overtime, in the 1978 playoffs. All of the Detroit roster is probable or healthy. Memphis RG Jeremy Contreras and LDE Tyler Helton are injured.