Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
THIS WEEK IN THE CFL
IN THE CFL
WEEK 1
TORONTO ARGONAUTS (4-14) at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (3-15)
When: Wednesday, 6 p.m. TV: TSN.
Streaks (pre-season): Tor.: 1-1; Ham.: 0-2.
Vegas line: The Argonauts are favoured by 2.
The storyline: Hard to figure this one, what with both squads still wiping the stains clean from throwing up all over each other last season. We didn't see the Argos in the pre-season, but the Ticat starters were horrible in the first half of their first exhibition game here in Winnipeg.
FYI: After their annual Labour Day meeting last September -- a 34-31 Argo victory -- these two teams combined to lose 17 of their next 18 games (the notable exception a Ticat win over Montreal in October). How's that for selling football in Southern Ontario?
MONTREAL ALOUETTES (11-7) at CALGARY STAMPEDERS (13-5)
When: Wednesday, 9 p.m. TV: TSN/RDS.
Streaks (pre-season): Mtl.: 2-0; Cal.: 2-0.
Vegas line: The Stampeders are favoured by 3.5.
The storyline: A rematch of last year's Grey Cup, won by Calgary in Montreal's backyard. Not many changes on the offensive side of the ball, but both clubs have made significant alterations to their defences. Expect fireworks.
FYI: The Als are a respectable 7-5 in their last 12 visits to McMahon Stadium.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (8-10) at EDMONTON ESKIMOS (10-8)
When: Thursday, 8 p.m. TV: TSN. Radio: CJOB.
Streaks (pre-season): Wpg.: 1-1; Edm.: 2-0.
Vegas line: The Eskimos are favoured by 9.5.
The storyline: It'll be like old home week for a number of ex-Eskimos who return to Edmonton, led by head coach Mike Kelly. As well, there are a pile of ex-Bombers now wearing Green and Gold who have had this one circled for a long time. The many, many questions about the Bombers begin to get answered on the grass at Commonwealth against an Eskimo club a little beat-up in the trenches and down a body or two in the secondary.
FYI: The Bombers are 1-4-1 in their last six visits to Edmonton, the lone win the Milt Stegall 100-yard miracle TD on the last play in a 25-22 decision in 2006.
B.C. LIONS (11-7) at SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (12-6)
When: Friday, 8 p.m. TV: TSN.
Streaks (pre-season): B.C.: 0-2; Sask.: 0-2.
Vegas line: The Lions are favoured by 1.5.
The storyline: Both teams struggled in the pre-season but remain upbeat with the real games set to begin. Buck Pierce will get the call at QB for the Lions, Darian Durant for the Riders. As much as this is a QB-driven league, it may be the team that can run the ball more effectively -- the Lions are searching for a replacement for Stefan Logan; the Riders are without Wes Cates -- which may be the difference here.
FYI: The Riders are 11-5 in regular-season games in June and July over the past three years, including last year's 5-0 start to the campaign.
THE PICKS
Bob Irving, CJOB: Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, B.C.
Gary Lawless, Free Press: Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, B.C.
Ed Tait, Free Press: Toronto, Calgary, Winnipeg, B.C.
Randy Turner, Free Press: Hamilton, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatchewan.
Mitch Zalnasky, CJOB: Hamilton, Montreal, Edmonton, B.C.
Last year: Ed Tait: 49-28; Mitch Zalnasky: 45-32; Chris Cariou: 44-33; Randy Turner: 43-34; Bob Irving: 41-35.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 30, 2009 C2
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