B.C. LIONS (8-5) at TORONTO ARGONAUTS (4-9)
WHEN: Friday, 6 p.m. TV: TSN
STREAKS: B.C.: 4W; Tor.: 4L
VEGAS LINE: Lions by 10
THE STORYLINE: More dramatics this week in Toronto, where 'new' head coach Don Matthews has opted to hand the starting QB chores back to Kerry Joseph. The Argos cut receiver Bethel Johnson -- their big NFL off-season signing -- because of one major flaw in his game: He can't catch. They'll be without their best offensive and special-teams threat in Dominique Dorsey, who may be gonzo for the year with a high ankle sprain. The Lions keep rolling along, meanwhile, and still have their sights set on a fifth straight first-place finish in the West.
FYI: Joseph has long killed the Blue Bombers with his legs (for example: 101 yards on 10 carries in the Grey Cup). But the Lions, by comparison, have managed to corral him of late: in his last five games against B.C., Joseph has the same yardage total -- 101 -- along the ground as he racked up in last November's championship.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS (9-4) at SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (8-5)
WHEN: Friday, 9 p.m.. TV: TSN
STREAKS: Cal.: 3W; Sask.: 3L
VEGAS LINE: Stampeders by 3 1/2
THE STORYLINE: The marquee matchup of the week, but also a tale of two squads heading in opposite directions. The Stamps have looked dominant in knocking off the Argos twice and the Als once, while the Riders have dropped three straight -- could have been four if not for their dramatic comeback in the Banjo Bowl. Michael Bishop will again get the call at QB for the Riders although fans are rumbling for Darian Durant. The Stampeders continue to get solid quarterbacking from Henry Burris (second-best rating to Anthony Calvillo) but their defence isn't getting enough love. That unit is second-best in points allowed (22.3 to Montreal's 21.0) and ranks first in stopping the run.
FYI: Calgary RB Joffrey Reynolds has five 100-yard rushing efforts in 10 games vs. the Riders, the last coming in July when he rumbled 24 times for 128 yards.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES (9-4)
at
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (2-11)
WHEN: Saturday, 3 p.m. TV: TSN/RDS
STREAKS: Mtl.: 2W; Ham.: 6L
VEGAS LINE: Alouettes by 10 1/2
THE STORYLINE: This one has massacre written all over it -- evidenced by Vegas bookmakers making the Als 10 1/2-point favourites on the road. The Als are cruising to first place and a chance to not only play host to the East Final, but then be just one game from playing in the Grey Cup in their own backyard. Their biggest concern must be gearing down for an opponent like the Tabbies and how to keep the troops motivated down the stretch. Pity poor Marcel Bellefeuille in Hamilton. Canadian guy, decent coach and the first crack he gets at wearing the big headset is with this crew.
FYI: Montreal QB Antony Calvillo has thrown for over 300 yards in 15 of his last 17 regular-season games against Hamilton.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (5-8) at EDMONTON ESKIMOS (7-6)
WHEN: Saturday, 6 p.m. TV: TSN. RADIO: CJOB
STREAKS: Wpg.: 3W; Edm.: 2L
VEGAS LINE: Eskimos by 4.
THE STORYLINE: All kinds of subplots to this one after the late hit on Kevin Glenn in last Friday's Bomber win over the Esks. Will there be retribution on Agustin Barrenechea? Does Ricky Ray have an even bigger target on his back now? Regardless of all that, the Bombers are hoping a win at Commonwealth -- coupled with a Lions victory in Toronto -- gives them a bit of breathing room with the Argos in Winnipeg next week. And the Eskimos are working to avoid falling into the West basement. They've dropped three of their last four while both the Stamps and Lions are surging.
FYI: The Bombers haven't played in Edmonton since a 39-39 tie in Week 1 of the 2007 season. Winnipeg is 1-0-1 in their last two visits -- the win coming on Milt Stegall's 100-yard miracle in 2006 -- but lost its five previous games at Commonwealth.
THE PICKS
CHRIS CARIOU: B.C., Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg.
BOB IRVING: B.C., Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton.
ED TAIT: B.C., Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg.
RANDY TURNER: B.C., Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton.
MITCH ZALNASKY: B.C., Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg.
LAST WEEK/OVERALL: Ed Tait: 4-0/34-18; Chris Cariou: 4-0/32-20; Randy Turner: 3-1/29-23; Mitch Zalnasky: 4-0/28-24; Bob Irving: 4-0/27-25.
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