Despite Edmonton ruining his chance at a perfect Week 6 prediction, Perry Lefko once again goes with the Green and Gold in his Week 7 picks.

Okay, I'm mad.

I should have been 4-0 last week, but the Eskimos blew it.

They had the Ticats dead to rights, but squandered too many chances.

While I have been critical of the Roughriders, the Eskimos haven't exactly helped.

Look, I can appreciate the Ticats have improved this year, but Edmonton literally gave the game away.

Too many picks, too many mental errors - like fielding a punt near the goal line instead of giving up a point - and enough penalties to turn a victory into defeat.

I'm also inclined to throw the dreaded Lefko curse on the Pesky Eskies for losing last week, but I don't need any Eskimo Pies in the face.

But this is a new week, with new games and new opportunities to prove again I am the Peerless Prognosticator of the Canadian Pigskin game.

Thursday

Calgary (3-3) at Edmonton (3-3):

The Stamps will be without all-world defensive lineman Mike Labinjo, one of my faves, although I would prefer he play end. The Stamps were all out to hold off the Bombers last week, indicating to me the defence that was so dominant last year isn't the same. Changes were made this year and maybe some of those moves aren't working as well as had been anticipated. Maybe the Stamps miss JoJuan Armour. I'm thinking the Eskimos should be much better at home, as long as they don't make dumb mistakes. What I really like about Edmonton is their return game with Tristan Jackson - notwithstanding his errant decision to field a punt near the goal line against Hamilton - and Arkee Whitlock. They have the potential to give Edmonton excellent field position. Eskimos will miss middle linebacker Mo Lloyd and defensive back Lenny Williams with injuries. Speedy receiver Maurice (You Da) Mann is back in the lineup after sitting out last week. This is all about character for the 'Mos. I'm willing to give them a chance to redeem themselves. Investment analyst Randall the Handle has the Eskies by one and is forecasting a barnburner.

And the winner is: Edmonton (to quote the group ELO, Don't Let Me Down).

Friday

B.C. (2-4) at Toronto (2-4):

Lions thumped the Riders last week, albeit kickstarted by a controversial play. But the Lions had the Riders on their heels early, only to cough up the ball on the first three possessions. And how many times will the Lions fail to punch in the ball from the one? Buck Pierce played with poise, making plays with his legs and arms. One key improvement has been in the return game. Defensive end Brent Johnson, who has had to pick up the slack this year without bookend Cameron Wake, had a solid effort last time out. It should be an interesting test facing his former teammate Rob Murphy, whom he lined up against many times in practice. New middle linebacker JoJuan Armour made a difference in his Lions' debut. I look for the Lions to really mix it up on defence to test quarterback Cody Pickett. Wonder what defensive co-ordinator Mike Benevides, who turned down the Argo job in the off-season, will have cooked up for this game? The Lions' best asset is their defensive backfield and it should completely fool and foil the Argos' receiving corps. I think Pickett will be looking for his second and third reads a lot. And I predict he'll be scrambling quite a bit unless the offensive line tightens up. Seven sacks last week against Montreal is an issue. Murphy has to play better, particularly in one-on-one situations. Expect the run game to be used with more regularity to take the pressure of Pickett and establish some momentum at the point of attack. The Argos defence is slowly getting worn down, so it's up to the offence to generate some points - any points. Randall has B.C. by a field goal. Is Randall ever wrong?

And the winner is: B.C.

Saturday

Montreal (5-1) against Winnipeg (2-4):

Als beat up a hapless Argo team in last with a shutout and finally got the ball in the end zone after a couple games with some issues in that regard. Als defence will be put to the test on the ground. They may be vulnerable, so the key is to establish control of the clock on offence and get some pressure on Michael Bishop on defence. The Bombers' offensive line is still a work in progress. Bishop needs to be more consistent, but the Bombers may be able to rely on their newly-discovered ground game with Fred Reid and Yvenson Bernard to put pressure on Montreal and neutralize their attack off the edge. I think the Bombers are improving and they may not be as vulnerable as the oddsmaker would suggest. Randall has the Als by nine. Everyone will be picking the Als. It's obvious. But, I think there's a possibility of an upset for the Blue Bummers playing at home.

And the winner is: Winnipeg (yes, you read that right).

Hamilton (4-2) against Saskatchewan (3-3):

Are the Ticats for real? I think they might be. They are getting the ball into the end zone and are proving tough in the fourth quarter. Running back DeAndre' Cobb is solid on the ground. That helps take the pressure off quarterback Quinton Porter. Arland Bruce gave the Ticats another dimension on offence in his first full game. It's the Ticats' play on defence which is proving to be dominant. The Riders clearly lost momentum off the controversial dribble in the loss to B.C. Now the Riders are back home in rabid Mosaic Stadium, home to the most animated fans in Canada and the hottest seats - in the hot tub. I think they got it from Ed's Night Party. Middle linebacker Rey Williams is out with a knee injury, so it will be yet another game with a newcomer on defence. But, end John Chick is back, and he and Stevie Baggs will be a force for Hamilton's tackles. The key to this game could be the defence's ability to throw Porter off his game. On offence, Wes Cates could be a difference maker. Edmonton picked apart Hamilton's soft defence from the get-go, so it wouldn't be surprising if Saskatchewan tries to attack that. Then again, you wouldn't expect Hamilton to be exposed in the same way. This game will be more about the ground game than the passing game. Randy Randall has the home team by five.

And the winner is: Saskatchewan (see you in the hot tub Rider fans).

RECORD LAST WEEK: 3-1.

OVERALL RECORD: 15-9

RECORD PICKING SASKATCHEWAN AND EDMONTON: We'll see this week.