Travis Lulay.

Who could have known?

After winning the first two games last week and covering the spread, the Peerless One was doing a little victory dance.

And we had reason to feel good about our final two games. We had Edmonton beating Winnipeg and Saskatchewan beating Calgary.

It turned out to be a case of premature celebration.

The Eskimos failed to win again and the Roughriders finally lost. Both were the underdogs against the spread and both played like dogs. It just goes to show how the form cycles are out of whack this season.

Yeah, Saskatchewan was bound to lose at some point, but why last week?

And did the Eskimos have to throw craps again?

Randall the Handle was unavailable for consultation because he’s busy completing his manuscript, CFL Handicapping For Dummies. Randall believes there’s a need for a book of this kind to educate those who pontificate on point-spreads. Randall is devoting a full chapter to the Peerless One and his legion of admirers and, of course, his many critics. For those of you who like the work I’m doing, give me a "hell yeah" with your best Stone Cold Steve Austin impersonation.

So for the millions and millions of people who are reading this, let’s great ready to ruminate.

Perry’s Peerless Prognostications is back again for another week of football forecasting, Canadian-style.

Toronto (3-1) at Montreal (3-1)

Furthermore, on the subject of who could have known, who would have figured the Argos would be tied with the Ales for first in the East? Yes, the Als are about where they should be, but the Argos?

Well, it’s a credit to head coach Jim (Seal The Deal) Barker, who has found a way to keep his team believing in itself for the whole game, regardless of the score. Winning ugly is better than losing pretty. The Argos are winning with a strong running game, intermediary passing and a strong defence. So logic would suggest the team should stick to what it does best and not get too fancy. That said, the Als will provide this young group of Argos with a real challenge on both sides of the ball. And this will challenge quarterback Cleo Lemon, who has been average.

He’ll be seeing tons of looks, unless the Als decide to stick with the status quo of the last two games and play zone after getting torched in the first two games. Given that the Argos haven’t been as efficient in the passing game, the Als may stack the box knowing running back Cory Boyd has produced three consecutive games with 100 or more yards on the ground. I think the Als have to get out of their comfort zone from the last two weeks and challenge the Argos with blitzes to test Lemon. They key is stopping Boyd.

If the Argos are forced into second-and-long situations, the Als will be throwing significant looks, which clearly confused Lemon last week against B.C., notably the backside blitz. The Als’ ends John Bowman (one of my favourites) and Anwar Stewart (Jim Lang’s man-crush) will be loaded for bear. Bowman had four sacks last week. If the Als start the way they finish by getting touchdowns instead of field goals, it will be a humbling experience for Toronto.

Randall has the Als favoured by 10½.

And the prediction is: Als to cover.

Friday

B.C. (1-3) at Edmonton (0-4)

The Lions beat the Eskimos in the first game of the season, but both teams have been winless since. Richie Cunningham-lookalike Travis Lulay gets his second consecutive start at quarterback and he won’t feel the same amount of pressure against Edmonton as he did against Toronto because the Eskimos’ don’t have as dominant a front four.

Lula was solid in the first half, and then started taking some serious licks in the second half. Jamal Robertson has been only average in the last three games, and unless he becomes more involved, the Lions are a one-dimensional team. Geroy Simon was completely taken out of the offence last week, to neutralize the only pass-catching weapon the Lions had. Ricky Ray will be a far bigger challenge than Lemon, as long as his receivers hold on to the ball.

But the biggest factor might be Lions’ sub-par defence against the run, and the Eskimos have one of the best backs in Arlee Whitlock. Edmonton is making a change at one of the tackle spots, replacing Joe McGrath with a massive import, feeling it needs to be more physical. Edmonton just has to settle down and concentrate, which is easier said than done.

They are a rattled team, and quarterback Ricky Ray looks totally flummoxed. The riot act was read by the team’s chief executive officer on Monday, looking for a better effort. If it isn’t there, the anxious crowd will turn on the team in a hurry. The Esks need to gain some momentum early.

The spread has Edmonton by one.

And the prediction is: Edmonton to cover.

Saturday

Hamilton (1-3) at Saskatchewan (3-1)

It’s hard to believe but some people think the Ticats need a change at quarterback, replacing Kevin Glenn with Quinton Porter.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to deduce the Ticats’ offence is limited with only a passing game. DeAndra Cobb has disappeared this year. They need to get him the rock by either changing up their looks, or at the very least, putting him in space with some pitches or pass patterns that get him going. He hasn’t been able to get going up the middle. And receiver Arland Bruce has become silenced – literally – without enough catches.

Canadian Chris Bauman replaces import Dristan James, who has been cut. This may create a change on the offensive line with an import. This is a game in which kicker Sandro DeAngelis has to be at his best.

Points will be at a premium because of the opposition and, possibly, the ever-present wind conditions. The Roughriders’ offence has been far from its best in the last two games. Is it a sign that the Riders are starting to falter? Offensively, yes. They face a team that hasn’t done well on the road and isn’t particularly strong against Western teams. The crowd can be the difference in this game by disrupting the Ticats’ calls at the line of scrimmage, causing procedure plays. The Roughriders figure to improve off their last two weeks; it’s just a question of how much. One thing they need is a return game. Dominique Dorsey has yet to spring a long return.

The Roughriders are favored by 8½.

And the prediction is: Roughriders to cover.

Winnipeg (2-2) at Calgary (2-2)

The Blue Bombers stopped a two-game losing streak, winning at home and getting some useful production out of backup quarterback Steven Jyles. He’s getting great production from his receivers.

Fred Reid is also starting to put some yardage together. This game will likely come down to defense. Can the Bombers stymie the Stamps’ running game with Joffrey Reynolds and quarterback Henry Burris on the zone read? Burris started off slowly but woke up in the second half last week. The receiving corps started to put it together. P.K. Sam is out with an injury, so Ken-Yon Rambo returns from a year layoff. It figures he will be rusty, but Nik Lewis and Romby Bryant are good enough to fill the void. Beating the Roughriders was a breakout game for the Stamps and they have a chance to use the crowd to their advantage.

Stamps are favoured by seven.

And the prediction is: Stamps to cover.

Record last week: 2-2

Record to date: 5-10-1