Perry Lefko

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.

Perry is hiding from 'Rider fans as he delivers his Peerless Predictions for Week 2.

Okay, here we go for Week 2 in the Canadian Football League season.

Wasn't Week 1 a shocker?

Okay, it was for me.

I was sitting on a sure win to kickstart the week with Montreal up by 21. What happened? Was I cursed by the Rider Nation?

Having decided the Riders wouldn't go 18-0 this season, it's become apparent the fans of the Green and White will be watching my picks every week for a chance to deride, chide and hide me. Oh, well, it's become a common occurrence.

But you have to admire the Rider faithful. They really are the 13th man.

But, alas, on to Week 2. Here's hoping the luck I had picking the winner of this year's Queen's Plate, Big Red Mike, at a fat 5-1 will carry over to my peerless prognostications and pontifications this week.

FRIDAY

Toronto (0-1) at Winnipeg (1-0):

This game could go a long way towards the future of quarterback Cleo Lemon, who was only ordinary in his CFL regular-season debut. He didn't have much help from his receiving corps and the offensive line didn't shine, either, but ultimately this is a quarterback league and Lemon has to do better. Presumably, there will be a greater effort to run the ball with rookie Cory Boyd and to get the ball more in the hands of receiver Jeremaine Copeland, who wasn't a factor in his Argo debut. The defence played its heart out, but frankly was on the field too long. The defence needs to pressure Bombers' quarterback Buck Pierce, who was on his game in his Winnipeg debut, throwing and running the ball. Defensive tackle Adriano Belli returns following a one-game suspension. The Bombers really lit it up at home for the debut of new head coach Paul LaPolice, making everyone forget about the debacle last year with Mike Kelly. The Bombers' offensive line is better than the Stamps', which didn't exactly blow up the Argos, so that can neutralize the Argos' threat on offence. Running back Fred Reid was banged up in the opener, but should play. The key is keeping Pierce free from taking hits.

Handicapper Randall the Handle has Bombers by 12.

And the pick is: Argos and the points.

SATURDAY

Calgary (1-0) at Hamilton (0-1)

The Stamps beat up on an inferior opponent in the first game, taking advantage of the Argos' inexperience. This is a different challenge. For one thing, it's probably going to be hot, and the heat really radiates at Ivor Wynne, not to mention the visitors' sweltering locker room. It's a slight edge, but it does come into play. Chances are the Stamps offence will need to score quickly because there will be a sense of expectation from the Ticats' faithful for the beloved Bobcats (as in caretaker Bob Young) in their home opener. The Stamps simply cannot afford to waste scoring drives and settle for field goals. Stamps may need to make greater use of Henry Burris' legs to set up other plays, which is what Winnipeg did against Hamilton. The Ticats' back end is still under construction, but so is the Stamps' receiving corps. If the Ticats stick with the same offensive line, then right tackle Simeon Rottier will be put to the test again and he was exposed badly in the opener.

As usual, Joffrey Reynolds forces the opposition to respect the run, and if the Stamps get ahead, then he'll be the go-to guy. The Ticats' offence really came out flat last week (I think the runback of the kickoff took away some momentum, even if did produce a 7-0 lead). Quarterback Kevin Glenn, who was battered in the opener because of the offensive line, seemed to improve in the middle of the game, particularly when he got the ball into Arland Bruce's hands. The big thing is DeAndre' Cobb needs to see the ball more, and I think he'll be used often on first down to establish some ground game. I also expect the key to the game could be kicker Sandro DeAngelis, facing his former team and injecting some spirit. That said, punter Justin Palardy needs to be more focused. The Ticats' defensive line is underrated and I think it will keep the Stamps in check.

Ticats favoured by 2½.

And the pick is: Hamilton to cover.

Saskatchewan (1-0) at B.C. (1-0)

Give the Roughriders full marks for a great effort to recover from a 21-point deficit. The key was the affirmation quarterback Darian Durant is better than last year, and so is his offence. The receiving corps provided huge plays from a variety of players. It will be interesting to see if Saskatchewan runs the ball a little more. Playing on a different type of track could play in the Roughriders' favour. Who knows how Empire Stadium will yield? The Roughriders are going through a transition without their stellar defensive ends in the NFL, but B.C. is missing a key rush end, too, so it's kind of a wash. Lions quarterback Casey Printers was abysmal in the opener. Again, it will be interesting to see how B.C. handles its new turf and surroundings. The advantage the Lions had playing on a fast track, in a noisy building and in a humid stadium are gone. If it rains, it takes away their strength.

Lions favoured by three.

And the pick is: Saskatchewan and the points.

SUNDAY

Montreal (0-1) at Edmonton (0-1)

The Als have had plenty of time to stew on that loss to Saskatchewan. Even if they play as badly on defence, they still have too much firepower on offence for the Eskimos, albeit I don't expect them to score 50-plus points. If the Als lose, they are 0-2, and when was the last time that happened? While playing in the West has been the Als' undoing in recent years, they are not vulnerable against Edmonton. The key will be stopping running back Arkee Whitlock. The Eskimos looked last week too much like the frustrated bunch we saw all too often last year. Only Whitlock and receiver Kelly Campbell seemed to have energy. Given how Saskatchewan went vertical against the Als, Eskimo quarterback Ricky Ray has to go deep and do it quickly to establish some kind of threat. This is also a chance for head coach Richie Hall to show that the defence he is running can improve on its porous run defence from last week.

Als favoured by five.

And the pick is: Als to cover.

Last week's record: 0-3-1.

Record to date: 0-3-1.