Colleagues and friends are often asking for my CFL picks. So each week I’ll share my thoughts on the upcoming slate of games, and choose winners against the spread. Lining your pockets with some extra money is the end goal, but it’s much easier said than done.
No looking back at what happened a week ago, it’s time to focus on a tasty slate of Labour Day weekend games and that heated B.C.-Montreal rivalry (insert laughs here).
As Canadians enjoy the last long weekend of the summer, we’ll try to make it a profitable one for CFL bettors.
Lions (3-5) @ Alouettes (4-5)
Last week: Lions enjoyed a bye week; Alouettes won 26–23 in Hamilton
Montreal is flying high after two straight wins, one out in B.C. and most recently, an impressive victory against Hamilton at Tim Hortons Field. Nobody outside of the Als’ locker room gave Montreal a chance to win at the donut box in Week 10. Jim Popp’s group harassed Ticats’ pivot Zach Collaros, registering six sacks, and used a ball-control offensive approach — 35 minutes of possession — to get a win in his return to the sidelines.
Just a couple weeks ago, Montreal ran the ball down B.C.’s throat to the tune of 251 yards and you can bet Popp will want to use that same smash-mouth style against a Lions defence that is giving up six yards per carry, second worst in the league.
Until Travis Lulay shows he can consistently regain his form from seasons past, the Lions will be toothless.
Line: Alouettes -5.5
Pick: Montreal
Bombers (3-6) @ Riders (0-9)
Last week: Bombers lost 36-8 at home against Calgary; Riders lost 35-13 at Ottawa
What a week it’s been in Riderville. A disastrous loss to Ottawa led to the firing of head coach Corey Chamblin and general manager Brendan Taman with interim tags given to Bob Dyce and Jeremy O’Day, respectively.
If ever there was a week for the Riders to finally break through and get win No. 1 on the season, it would be on Labour Day weekend. Teams usually come out with a strong effort after a coaching change is made and Dyce is well respected by the players in Saskatchewan. Plus, the green Riders are riding a 10-game winning run against Winnipeg on the September holiday weekend. Both the coaching change and that streak should give Saskatchewan some positive mojo.
Line: Riders -3.5
Pick: Saskatchewan
Argos (6-3) @ Ticats (6-3)
Last week: Argos lost 38-15 at Edmonton; Ticats lost 26-23 at home against Montreal
A first-place showdown is set to go down in Steeltown.
Trevor Harris and Zach Collaros call the signals for explosive offences, Hamilton’s defence has been a stingy bunch, Toronto’s D is underrated, each squad has kickers with booming legs, so the teams appear fairly evenly matched. That said, the Ticats have the best game-breaker in the CFL in Brandon Banks. And hopefully Argos defensive back and punt returner A.J. Jefferson has the onside rule figured out by now.
These rivals have traditionally played closely contested games on Labour Day Monday and that makes a 7.5-point spread seem large, especially in a rivalry game.
Line: Ticats -7.5
Pick: Toronto
Eskimos (6-3) @ Stampeders (7-2)
Last week: Eskimos won 38–15 at home against Edmonton; Stampeders won 36-8 at Winnipeg
Eleven straight regular season meetings have been won by Calgary in the Battle of Alberta. The Stampeders are pure kryptonite for their provincial rivals to the north. Edmonton can’t win the West Division and become a true Grey Cup contender until they find a way to beat Calgary.
McMahon Stadium has been a house of horrors for Chris Jones since he’s been the headman in Edmonton. The Eskimos were outscored 71-31 in two losses in Calgary last season, including a 43-18 shellacking in the West Final. For those reasons, Jones should have his group primed and ready.
Stampeders defensive coordinator Rich Stubler is known for confusing young quarterbacks, but rookie James Franklin appears more poised and competent than your average first-year quarterback. "Frank the Tank" makes his second career start and he will get his first taste of the Edmonton-Calgary rivalry.
Minus a 45-point beat down laid on Ottawa, Calgary has not won by large margins at home in their other four outings: one, five, one and three points. The Stampeders are a perfect 5-0 in Cowtown in 2015, but that doesn’t mean the Eskimos can’t get a cover.
Line: Stampeders -5.5
Pick: Edmonton
Dunk’s overall record against the spread: 9-11