This week in the CFL

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This article was published 26/08/2011 (5456 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WEEK 9

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (4-3) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (6-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m. TV: TSN. Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: Winnipeg by 3.5

Ticats line: Like everyone taking the field this week, Hamilton is coming off the bye break rested and ready to roll. A new face is with the Tabbies: Tina LaPolice’s favourite player, Dave Stala, leads the CFL with seven touchdown catches. Hamilton is one of three teams with more takeaways than turnovers (15-13). Quarterback Kevin Glenn has thrown for 1,759 yards and 12 touchdowns this summer. He still fights the occasional in-game lapse.

Bombers line: Winnipeg beat the Ticats in Hamilton in Week 1, so a win here gives them any tie-breaker advantage at the end of the year. The Bombers have a remarkable 30 takeaways this season, including a league-leading 11 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries. Winnipeg has only turned it over 11 times. Lanky wideout Greg Carr returns to the lineup. He’ll join a receiving corps that does not have a 400-yard player as of yet. Linebacker Marcellus Bowman (toe) is out, while DT Doug Brown (toe) draws back in. Quarterback Buck Pierce is completing 65.7 per cent of his passes — tops in the league. Canad Inns Stadium is sold out for this one.

Bottom line: Enjoy the ride, Bomber fans.

 

MONTREAL ALOUETTES (5-2) at CALGARY STAMPEDERS (5-2)

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

Vegas line: Calgary by 1

Alouettes line: In the last six quarters, the Montreal defence has given up 14 points — 10 of those coming after a win was already sealed up in Toronto in Week 6. No surprise, the Als lead the CFL with 222 points scored and an offence that’s averaging 413 yards per game. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo has thrown 14 touchdown passes against just three interceptions. Tailback Brandon Whitaker leads the league with 533 yards rushing, while kicker Sean Whyte has hit 19 of his 20 field goal attempts. The Alouettes added former Bomber KR Perry Floyd to the roster this week. He’s expected to dress for this one.

Stamps line: No team benefited from the week off more than the Stampeders, who should get a number of injured players back. Calgary is second in offence (377 yards per game) and second in defence (331 yards against per game). After a slow start, quarterback Henry Burris is finding his way once again. He has 10 touchdown passes and five interceptions. Two of DB Keon Raymond’s three interceptions have gone back for touchdowns this summer. Calgary, first in the West division by a half-game over Edmonton, is just 1-2 at McMahon Stadium.

Bottom line: Give these clubs a quarter or so before they start lighting it up.

 

THE PICKS

The Free Press has once again assembled a panel this season 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, columnist Gary Lawless, lead football writer Paul Wiecek and reporter Adam Wazny.

Lawless: Winnipeg, Montreal

Irving: Winnipeg, Calgary

Wiecek: Winnipeg, Montreal

Lyons: Winnipeg, Calgary

Wazny: Winnipeg, Montreal

Last week (overall): Lawless 1-1 (19-11); Irving 2-0 (18-12); Wiecek 1-1 (17-13); Lyons 1-1 (18-12); Wazny 1-1 (20-10).

 

— Adam Wazny