Get out your iPhone cameras as Lefko is wearing his watermelon helmet in anticipation of picking a winner in the Banjo Bowl redux this Sunday.
Well, wasn't that an interesting week in the Canadian Football League?
Raise your hand if you picked the B.C. Lions to beat the Montreal Alouettes?
Followers of Perry's Peerless Predictions will know that I was among the few public prognosticators to select the Lions. Regardless of what happened at the end with the controversial call (and if you've read the various fan forums, there are enough debates and theories, including some people who believe it was a conspiracy against the Als). I wrote a column suggesting that - and some people believed I supported that - but it was actually others who took that stance. My view is a mistake was made, albeit a bad one, but it didn't take anything away from the Lions' effort.
So, let's get back to work this week.
Friday
Hamilton (5-4) at Toronto (2-7)
First, an editorial comment. Congratulations to the CFL for doing this Monday-Friday back-to-back game. It's great. It works in Calgary/Edmonton, so there's no reason it can't gain traction with Toronto/Hamilton. The Ticats put it together in various ways against the Argos on Labour Day, but still left way too many points on the board. Will Arland Bruce make it to the end zone and preen more than Perry in a 4-0 week? Let's see if the Ticats try to get physical, too, with DeAndre' (Corn On The) Cobb. I like the Ticats' defence, notably rush end Justin Hickman. He's fast and physical and likes to mix it up, as he did on Monday. The Argos are at home, where they can't win and the fans - what's left of them - are frustrated. Head coach Bart Andrus has been given the vote of confidence by management and ownership. This game could determine whether he can turn the tide or will need help from GM Adam Rita moving to the sidelines to help. Not saying it will happen, only that I believe Andrus needs more help in managing the game. Whether the offence can push the ball down field or the defence can stop the bleeding, well, it's one thing after another. Maybe the Argos will get down to smashmouth ball and run the ball. Hey, it's time to get physical at the line. Jonathan Brown - Ol' Green Eyes - returns to the defence and he'll add some leadership and his patented kick if he makes a sack. The Argos defence limps into this game following nicks and bruises on Monday.
And the winner is: Hamilton.
Calgary (5-4) at Edmonton (5-4)
The Stamps are getting it in gear and really put the boots to the Eskies on Monday. The Stamps continue to redo its defensive line in hopes of getting the right mix. As usual, Joffrey (All-World) Reynolds proved why he is so valuable to the Stamps' offence. Maybe this will be the week Nik Lewis scores a touchdown. He continues to do so many other things well. Eskies relieved Rick Worman of his quarterback/offensive co-ordinator duties and inserted offensive consultant Kevin Strasser in his place. You just knew something like this was in the mix when Strasser was hired a few weeks ago, but the reality is Edmonton turned over the ball too much. Arkie Whitlock to secure the ball. The Eskimos need to run the ball. Passing alone won't do it. Playing at home and on the grass are two plusses, but the defence needs to shore up some of the holes the Stamps exposed, notably at the point of attack. That's where the game will be decided. I don't think the score will be as one-sided as last Monday, but…
And the winner is: Calgary.
Sunday
B.C. (4-5) at Montreal (7-2)
No need to dwell on the controversy. It's a chance for the Lions to double up and in the process make Wally Buono the top-winning coach in CFL history. Doing it in Montreal would be a great story given that's where he played. Running back Martell Mallett is becoming an impact player with his power running game. The Lions still need to get way more production out of receivers Geroy Simon and Paris Jackson. Quarterback Jarious Jackson missed several big plays by inches and his receivers dropped too many passes. If the Lions' offence ever gets it going, this team could make a run. The defence did well to shut down the Als' running game in the first half, but became exposed in the second half. Expect Montreal to go after the Lions on the ground early. If quarterback Anthony Calvillo overcomes a rare bad outing, this game won't be close. The Als' offensive line is getting depleted by injuries, so this is an issue. I'm sure the Als' defence will be peeved after getting run on too often last Friday.
And the winner is: Montreal.
Saskatchewan (5-4) at Winnipeg (3-6)
Riders whacked the Bombers but good on Sunday. There is little to suggest the Green Guys will be any less than dominant here, unless you factor in the Banjo Bowl mania, the possibility of a win and the rarity of back-to-back wins (notwithstanding my predictions above). It's the Riders' defence that is so dominant these days and it's at the defensive end spots that the Riders dominate the line. Winnipeg needs to find the running game which it lacked last week. Mad Mike Kelly has turned over the offensive play calling to his assistant. Will it be the difference? At least Kelly is honest enough to admit something needed to be done. The Bombers may need to use max protection to keep quarterback Michael Bishop on his feet. Bishop, in turn, needs to get something going with his receivers.
And the winner is: Saskatchewan: (I'm wearing my watermelon hat as I write this).
RECORD SO FAR: 25-11
LAST WEEK'S RECORD: 4-0
RECORD THE LAST FEW WEEKS: Totally awesome, dude.
