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.
Another 1-3 week sent my overall season record crashing back down under .500, but let’s stay positive. A couple games came down to the wire and the bounces went the other way.
Montreal couldn’t thwart James Franklin from rallying Edmonton to a win. Then a late touchdown return by A.J Jefferson lifted the Argos to victory and a cover in The Peg — the line was six points and Toronto won by seven.
Anyways, enough about the past and on to the future, Week 9 presents some intriguing matchups with some lines that are there for the taking.
Alouettes (2-5) @ Lions (3-4)
Last week: Alouettes lost 15–12 in Montreal; Lions lost 52–22 in Hamilton
After bursting onto the CFL scene in stunning fashion and guiding Montreal to two wins in his first three starts, Rakeem Cato has been trending downward. He’s made crucial mistakes in three straight Alouettes losses. The rookie passer needs to get back to making decisive reads and letting the football go in rhythm for Montreal to move the football consistently.
There are a few key factors at play for Thursday night’s tilt on the Left coast. B.C. returns home after suffering a beat down in Hamilton. For that reason expect a much better effort and higher level of execution from the Leos at BC Place where the team always seems to play well. On the flip side, the Als have not won a road game yet this season — 0-3 outside la belle province. Also, Montreal has dropped 13 of the last 14 meetings in B.C., including the last four by an average margin of 33 points. That Pacific Time zone has not been kind to the Alouettes.
Line: Lions -3
Pick: B.C.
Ticats (5-2) @ Eskimos (5-2)
Last week: Ticats won 52–22 at home over Lions.; Eskimos won 15-12 in Montreal
Hamilton heads to Edmonton on a serious roll for the marquee matchup in Week 9.
The Tabbies have ripped off four straight wins — all by 10 points or more — and are getting it done in all three phases. Zach Collaros leads the CFL with 2,014 passing yards, Hamilton’s defence has scored a league-high seven touchdowns and Brandon Banks tops all returners with three punts taken back for majors. So the Ticats can put up points quickly and in a variety of ways.
Edmonton does rep a 3-0 record at home so far this season but those victories came against Ottawa, Winnipeg and Saskatchewan. With all due respect to those teams, Hamilton is on another level right now.
Line: Ticats -2
Pick: Hamilton
Stampeders (5-2) @ Riders (0-7)
Last week: Stampeders won 48–3 at home over Ottawa; Riders bye week
Saskatchewan comes back from an off week looking to hit the reset button. It’s well known the Riders are 0-fer, but despite the goose egg on the win column Saskatchewan has only been blown out in one game, a 30-5 loss in Week 6 — Brett Smith’s first CFL start. No. 16 showed improvement in his second outing against Toronto, completing 23 of 35 passes for 298 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Saskatchewan’s offence can score points, so it’s the defence that must be better, especially with a red hot Bo Levi Mitchell coming to town.
It should be a favourable atmosphere for the hometown Riders as the team announced their first sell-out of the season. The fan base has done its part now it’s time for the men wearing green and white to hold up their end of the bargain.
Line: Stampeders -6.5
Pick: Saskatchewan
Redblacks (4-3) @ Argos (5-2)
Last week: Redblacks lost 48–3 in Calgary; Argos won 27-20 in Winnipeg
If you’ve been following Ottawa’s pattern to begin the 2015 season it means the Redblacks are about to suffer a defeat. They’ve won two, lost two, won two and with a loss will drop their second game in a row to keep the two up, two down pattern going. It sort of follows quarterback Henry Burris who bounces between Good Hank and Bad Hank on a seemingly weekly basis.
Meanwhile, Toronto only has one win by a considerable margin, beating Edmonton by 15 points in Week 1, and Rogers Centre isn’t exactly a huge home field advantage for the Argos.
Rick Campbell and his Redblacks bunch were embarrassed in Calgary last week, so I believe a strong bounce back showing will come from Ottawa.
Line: Argos -9
Pick: Ottawa
Dunk’s overall record against the spread: 5-7