WEEK 2 IN THE CFL

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Geoff Robins / the canadian press archives Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant threw for 390 yards and four TDs last week against Hamilton. (CP)

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WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS at MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Tonight, 6 p.m. TV: TSN Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: Montreal -6.5

Bombers line: So it's come to this, an early season contest between teams who believe themselves to be the tops in the East, coming on the heels of embarrassing losses the week before. Winnipeg hopes to protect the quarterback and run the ball -- the opposite of last week's game plan.

Alouettes line: Speaking of disastrous starts, has anyone been able to locate the Montreal offence? Anthony Calvillo didn't look too comfortable back there against the Stamps. We'd like to get the head start on the "his reign is over" conversation, but we're not sure it's time yet. A poor showing here could lubricate the discussion.

Bottom line: Both clubs have shown early warts. Wear gloves when choosing here.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS at B.C. LIONS

Tonight, 9 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: B.C. -7.5

Ticats line: I'm guessing George Cortez was hoping to have a win on the board when he looked at the schedule and saw the Lions in Week 2. The Tabbies looked slow and out of sorts against the Riders. Henry Burris, this one is on your shoulders.

Lions line: As the rest of the CFL tries to establish a curve, the Lions are who we thought they were. When he's on, Travis Lulay is unstoppable. Good arm, loves to spread it around, and he can run. Pick your poison when defending this guy, Hamilton.

Bottom line: Anyone who likes the Ticats here is just being silly.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS at TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Saturday, 2 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Calgary -3.5

Stampeders line: We made a mistake on these guys. Not in that we didn't give them enough respect, it's just that we weren't completely sure how Drew Tate would come out of the gate. Turns out our worries were misguided. After thumping the Alouettes, Calgary now gets a crack at the leaky Boatmen.

Argos line: Whenever a club takes 18 penalties in a game, there's going to be trouble. It wasn't that the Argos looked overmatched against Edmonton; they really never gave themselves a chance. A bigger concern for Toronto right now: Ricky Ray looks uneasy. Something is not right.

Bottom line: Facing a love-two start and a trip into Hamilton next, the Argos need to get going.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS at SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Sunday, 6 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Saskatchewan -4.5

Eskimos line: Credit to coach Kavis Reed for keeping his troops focused and on point last week. Steven Jyles will have his dry spells but if the Eskimos defence and special teams turn in solid efforts week in and week out, preliminary forecasts for this club may need to be adjusted.

Riders line: Darian Durant (390 yards passing, four TDs) and Weston Dressler (180 yards, three TDs) grabbed the headlines last week, but don't overlook the offensive line play. Often, the biggest players on the field make the biggest impact on the field.

Bottom line: What colour will the Riders' helmets be this week?

THE PICKS (straight up)

The Free Press has assembled a panel to offer their fearless predictions every week. Joining us this year are CJOB's Bob Irving, and from the Free Press, sports editor Steve Lyons, columnists Gary Lawless and Doug Brown (who also serves as the 'OB game analyst), lead football writer Paul Wiecek and reporter Adam Wazny.

Irving: Montreal, B.C., Toronto, Saskatchewan

Lyons: Montreal, B.C., Toronto, Saskatchewan

Lawless: Montreal, B.C., Calgary, Saskatchewan

Brown: Montreal, B.C., Calgary, Saskatchewan

Wiecek: Montreal, B.C., Calgary, Saskatchewan

Wazny: Montreal, B.C., Calgary, Saskatchewan

Last week (overall): Irving 2-2 (2-2); Lyons 2-2 (2-2); Lawless 3-1 (3-1); Brown 3-1 (3-1); Wiecek 2-2 (2-2); Wazny 1-3 (1-3).

-- Adam Wazny

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 6, 2012 C2