Calgary’s been rolling and it’s time to get these picks up to the level of the CFL pacesetters. Bo Levi Mitchell-type precision in the clutch is what we’re feeling. Here we go.
Montreal Alouettes (3-8) @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-6)
Montreal has lost five of their last six games and some teammates are not getting along. Starting quarterback Rakeem Cato had a heated exchange with a receiver for the second week in a row.
The 24-year-old shouted at Kenny Stafford during practice Tuesday before shoving Duron Carter—whom he had argued with at practice the week before. That dysfunction can create a divided locker room and one that could blow up at any time.
Clearly the Alouettes wish there was perfect harmony among players on the roster, especially when the team travels to Hamilton for a crucial divisional matchup—but that’s not the case. In the short term, Cato, Carter and Stafford seem to have reached a truce. Now they will just need to find harmony on the field.
Meanwhile, the Ticats are set to start rookie offensive tackle Terrence Campbell in an effort to shore up protection. Lining up across from veteran pass rusher John Bowman provides a tough assignment for Hamilton’s green CFL blocker.
Line: Ticats -10
Pick: Montreal
Toronto Argonauts (5-6) @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-4)
Less than a week after the big trade involving Drew Willy went down, Toronto travels to Investors Group Field.
Willy won’t be starting at quarterback for the Argos. But defensive back T.J. Heath, acquired by Winnipeg in the Willy deal, should see action against his former club. And he’s delivered many secrets about the Argonauts defence. That could aid a Bombers offence that has seen its point totals decrease in each of the last four games (37, 34, 32, 28 and 17), even as the team continued on its now-six-game winning streak.
The same is true on the flip side as Willy can share intricate details of Winnipeg’s offence. That’s an intriguing storyline to monitor.
Line: Bombers -6
Pick: Winnipeg
Ottawa Redblacks (5-4-1) @ Calgary Stampeders (9-1-1)
Ratio-breaking linebacker Alex Singleton developed quicker than anyone in Calgary thought and that led to the team letting international tackler Taylor Reed go. Then Reed promptly signed with Ottawa.
Reed likely dished inside knowledge on the Stamps to all the Redblacks who wanted to listen. Whether that makes a difference against the league’s hottest team, we’ll find out.
Calgary’s a sparkling 5-0 at McMahon Stadium. Only one other team (BC) has a record over .500 at home threw 12 weeks of action. Even with being well rested off a bye week, winning in Cowtown will be a tough task for the Redblacks. But they don’t need to do that to cover.
Line: Stampeders -8.5
Pick: Ottawa
Edmonton Eskimos (5-6) @ Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-10)
Edmonton played an excellent first half against Calgary last week—trouble was that was about it.
Defensive lineman Phillip Hunt produced in his debut with the Eskimos, four tackles and two sacks. Troy Stoudermire could do the same on Sunday. General manager Ed Hervey inked the return ace and receiver after the 26-year-old was released by the Vikings during final cuts. Edmonton’s return game has lacked burst with Kenzel Doe’s averages ranking near the bottom of the league among primary return men.
If the Eskimos can get a boost from Stoudermire and execute at the level shown in the Labour Day rematch, then chalk up the cover.
Line: Eskimos -4.5
Pick: Edmonton
Overall record against the spread: 28-20-1