This week in the CFL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/08/2011 (5195 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (1-6) at TORONTO ARGONAUTS (1-6)

When: Thursday, 6:30 p.m. TV: TSN.

Vegas line: Toronto by 2.5

Riders line: Given how both clubs made it to their respective division finals a year ago (the Riders went to the Grey Cup, don’t forget), hard to believe the teams would tumble this low in 2011. Saskatchewan is coming off a 45-35 loss to Calgary, where Riders QB Darian Durant threw for 325 yards. He hasn’t been terrible, but his eight interceptions are nothing to brag about. What has been bad is the Riders defence — they’ve allowed a league-high 229 points. The ‘Return of Andy Fantuz’ watch is already underway in Regina but if (or when) he comes back from Chicago Bears training camp, will it already be too late?

Argos line: Toronto, coming off another close loss last week (37-32 in Hamilton), has lost six straight and like the Bombers a year ago, is finding new ways to lose games in the fourth quarter. How backwards are things with the Boatmen right now? Cleo Lemon is starting to look like a legitimate CFL quarterback, right at the exact time the defence is struggling mightily. Not great timing there. RB Cory Boyd is back healthy, so that should help the cause. At least the seats in Rogers Centre are blue — expect the building to be full of Green and White for this one.

Bottom Line: What are the odds this one finishes in a tie?

 

B.C. LIONS (1-6) at EDMONTON ESKIMOS (5-2)

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

Vegas line: Edmonton by 6

Lions line: As for the third team sporting a 1-6 record on the schedule this weekend, let’s focus on the quarterback. Travis Lulay is back under centre after getting the hook in the 30-17 loss to Winnipeg last week. He’s been the victim of some dropped balls and his confidence looks shaken. A hint of a running game might help him out, no? He’s made 13 straight starts for the Leos — the most since some guy named Buck Pierce used to call Vancouver home. Lulay has thrown for 1,764 yards (4th in the CFL) but his 54 per cent completion rate needs to be a lot better. It’s a quarterback league, after all.

Eskimos line: No problems at the pivotal position for the Eskimos now that Ricky Ray has regained his touch. At least that was the case when the club rattled off five straight wins to start the season. Finding someone to throw the ball to, however, is where it gets tricky for Ricky, and the two straight losses (Winnipeg, Montreal) coming into this one prove that. With Fred Stamps, Jason Barnes, Adarius Bowman, and Marcus Henry all injured, Edmonton looks a little lost on offence. Defensively, the Green and Gold are pretty tight, but one wonders how long can those guys stay on the field?

Bottom Line: Despite the issues at receiver, Edmonton is still the better club.

— Adam Wazny

 

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: Toronto, Edmonton

Last week (overall): 3-1 (18-10)

Irving: Toronto, B.C.

Last week (overall): 4-0 (16-12);

Wiecek: Toronto, Edmonton

Last week (overall): 4-0 (16-12)

Lyons: Toronto, Edmonton

Last week (overall): 2-2 (17-11)

Wazny: Toronto, Edmonton

Last week (overall): 4-0 (19-9)