WEEK 11 IN THE CFL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/09/2010 (5539 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS (8-1)

at EDMONTON ESKIMOS (2-7)

When: Tonight, 8 p.m. TV: TSN.

Vegas line: Calgary by 11

Stampeders line: QB Henry Burris has already thrown for 21 TDs. His 13 interceptions also lead the league. Calgary has forced a CFL-best 32 turnovers through nine games. Receivers Nik Lewis (655 yards, 5 TDs), Romby Bryant (525, 7), and Ken-Yon Rambo (410, 5) headline a deep pass catching group.

Eskimos line: Tough times in Edmonton right now. They have been outscored 108-20 in the two previous games with Calgary — including a 47-point drubbing on Labour Day. FB Arkee Whitlock and WR Kelly Campbell are out due to injury. The Edmonton D has allowed 305 points; not good matching up against the highest scoring outfit in the league.

Bottom line: If the Eskimos can keep the deficit to 20 points they’ll be dancing on Whyte Avenue tonight.

MONTREAL ALOUETTES (6-3) at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (5-4)

When: Saturday, noon. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Hamilton by 4

Alouettes line: QB Adrian McPherson comes off the nine-game IR to make his season debut. Ricky Santos will be the backup. Anthony Calvillo will serve as the emergency pivot. The Als are 2-6 without AC under centre. LB Chip Cox leads the team with 42 tackles. WR S.J. Green has eight touchdowns. Montreal’s 286 points scored is second only to Calgary.

Ticats line: Hamilton has won four straight games and can move into a first-place tie with Montreal with a win. RB DeAndra Cobb is still struggling, averaging just four yards a carry. SB Arland Bruce has 862 yards receiving and five TDs. QB Kevin Glenn leads the league in pass attempts (313) and completions (211). The Tabbies are 3-1 at Ivor Wynne this season.

Bottom line: Hamilton is looking like the quality outfit we thought they’d be.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (5-4) at B.C. LIONS (2-7)

When: Saturday, 3 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: B.C. by 5

Argos line: Toronto has lost two games in a row. RB Cory Boyd has not hit the 100-yard mark in either of those games. He still leads the CFL with 846 yards rushing. QB Cleo Lemon has more picks (8) than touchdown passes (7). Lions line: A rare afternoon tilt in Vancouver — weird. K Paul McCallum has missed just one field goal this season (20-of-21). RB Jamal Robertson has just 75 carries, but ranks sixth in yards rushing (542). WR Geroy Simon leads the club with 595 yards.

Bottom Line: The Lions need to win a game at home at some point, don’t they?

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (6-3) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (2-7)

When: Sunday, noon. TV: TSN. Radio: CJOB.

Vegas line: Saskatchewan by 4

Riders line: QB Darian Durant leads the league with 2,775 yards passing. S James Patrick has seven interceptions. The Riders are just 1-3 on the road this season. The Green and White have rushed for a league-leading 16 majors, with RB Wes Cates accounting for 10.

Bombers line: Currently feeding a five-game losing streak. QB Buck Pierce (dislocated elbow) is out. Starting QB Steven Jyles has four rushing TDs and is averaging 6.7 yards per run. RB Fred Reid only had 13 carries in the Labour Day Classic. DE Phillip Hunt leads the CFL with eight sacks.

Bottom line: Lots of talk about how the Bombers are close. Time to back it up.

THE PICKS

Bob Irving, CJOB: Calgary, Hamilton, B.C., Winnipeg

Ed Tait, Free Press: Calgary, Hamilton, B.C., Winnipeg

Randy Turner, Free Press: Calgary, Hamilton, B.C., Winnipeg

Adam Wazny, Free Press: Calgary, Hamilton, B.C., Saskatchewan

Mitch Zalnasky, CJOB: Calgary, Hamilton, B.C., Saskatchewan

Last week (overall): Irving: 4-0 (23-13); Tait: 3-1 (21-15); Turner: 4-0 (24-12); Wazny: 3-1 (25-11); Zalnasky: 3-1 (23-13).

— Adam Wazny