By Perry Lefko -- SPORTSNET.CA

It's a start of another Canadian Football League season, which means renewing Perry's Peerless Prognostications. This is offered strictly for entertainment purposes, so have fun and read along. We encourage your feedback, suggestions, comments (good, bad or otherwise), but if the picks start to go south my real name is Jim Lang.

THURSDAY

Montreal at Hamilton: In front of a hometown crowd, big things are expected from the Ticats to start the season. Look, the plan will be to put the ball in running back Jesse Lumsden's hands early and often and move quarterback Casey Printers around in the pocket. It's a simple plan, but it will be effective, I believe. The defence is improved and the big thing is the consistent kicking and punting from the uber-consistent Nick Setta.

Als go into this game with too many injuries and questions about the offensive line. I suspect Hamilton will be sending the house as often as possible because new co-ordinator Denny Creehan likes to use blitz packages - hey, the theme song for the defence should be Ballroom Blitz. This will force Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo to release the ball quickly, if he's able to at least get some protection.

And the winner is: Hamilton

B.C. at Calgary: B.C. should be able to pick up where it left off last season. Buck Pierce starts at quarterback, but Jarious Jackson is more than capable in relief. B.C.'s offence is good at all positions, including one of the best physical running backs in the league in Big Joe Smith and an improving receiver corps.

Calgary is a puzzle, and not just because the information is sketchy at best about who is starting due to the team's plan of keeping everything a mystery for at least the first game. Sure there will be some interesting moves to catch the Lions off guard, but the Stamps need to keep B.C.'s offence off the field, and that's no easy task. Traditionally a new team takes a few games to get into sync and rhythm and identify its starting players. I expect the Stamps to be much better in the second half of the season than at the start under new head coach John Hufnagel.

And the winner is: B.C.

FRIDAY

Toronto at Winnipeg: Argos are traditionally not a good pick on the road, especially in Winnipeg, which can be a tough place to play. With various new starters on offence, notably at quarterback, receiver and offensive line, it's going to be tough for Toronto facing one of the best defences in the league, particularly a front four which is dominant and a quality linebacking crew. Conversely, you know Winnipeg will use running back Charles Roberts often, and if the past is any indication the Argos will be giving up excess yardage on the ground, hoping to limit the opposition to field goals or less.

Winnipeg doesn't have many changes from a year ago, although the change at kicker could be a festering problem. Rookie Alexis Serna is scheduled to handle kicking, which is his forte, and punting, which is not his strongsuit. If the conditions are windy, which they are usually are at Canad Inns Stadium, a rookie can come undone quickly. If deposed punter/kicker Troy Westwood has put a hex on this team - hey, if punter Duncan O'Mahony can break a toe in a crazy off-field accident, we suspect Westwood may have put a curse on his former team. The crazy thing is, Westwood's punting was solid in the playoffs. I'd bite the bullet and bring him in just for his punting, but last I checked I'm not part of the Winnipeg football operations staff.

And the winner is: Winnipeg

SATURDAY

Edmonton at Saskatchewan: The Eskimos beat the bejeezus out of the Roughriders last week, hoping to make a statement to their hometown fans, leaving their starters in for most of the game. Hey, after missing the playoffs the last two years and losing its first pre-season game this year, the Eskimos needed to make themselves and their fans feel good about themselves. But I think the Eskimos gave their opposition, which didn't dress as many as 14 potential starters, too much film to evaluate. On the flipside, it will be up to the Roughriders to play with more intensity than they did a week ago, and for the veterans who didn't dress to capitalize on this opportunity. Edmonton needs more production from its defensive line, which was a constant turnover last season. Newcomer Fred Perry, the former Roughrider, will be doing his best to have a productive evening. But, Saskatchewan's offensive line is just too good, although dominant centre Jeremy O'Day may be sidelined with an injury. Last year Roughriders fans were all over me for not picking the Green Riders and this year, in my season preview, someone suggested I'm so pro-Saskatchewan I must have a home there.

For Edmonton, it really is about execution, beginning with quarterback Ricky Ray, and its offensive line, another sore spot last year. Ray likes to go vertical and I suspect he'll be doing that early to stretch the defence.

This game will likely come down to special teams. I give Saskatchewan the edge in this department.

And the winner is: Saskatchewan