WEEK 3 IN THE CFL WITH ADAM WAZNY

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/07/2012 (5182 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS at MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Tonight, 6:30 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Montreal -6.5

Stamps line: They say Kevin Glenn is the perfect backup for any CFL team because once the starting quarterback goes down, the drop-off is supposed to be manageable. After nearly stealing one against Toronto last week, Calgary gets to see what Glenn has left in the tank now that Drew Tate has a left-shoulder injury.

Alouettes line: That sound you heard out of Montreal was relief, as the brief injury scare involving Anthony Calvillo and his left shoulder was just that — brief. He’s ready to play. The Als’ plan on defence appears simple: Limit the amount of pass-interference calls to one against per series. They struggled to do that against Winnipeg last week.

Bottom line: A.C. plays, Montreal wins. Stamps keep it close, though.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS at EDMONTON ESKIMOS

Friday, 8 p.m. TV: TSN. Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: Edmonton -1.5

Bombers line: Call us hard to please, but we’re not completely sold on the Bombers’ offence yet. Is drawing pass-interference flags in the game plan, or did the Montreal secondary — an overmatched lot if there ever was one — simply bail out Winnipeg repeatedly? The Eskimos’ defence presents a much tougher task, one assumes.

Eskimos line: Hey, how’s that Steven Jyles thing working out? It’s easy to pile on GM Eric Tillman (and everyone is doing just that) but consider this: In a Week 1 win, Jyles was sacked zero times. Against the Riders last Sunday, Edmonton QBs were brought down six times. Tough way to live back there.

Bottom line: The Bombers could use a win. The Eskimos could use a quarterback.

B.C. LIONS at SASK. ROUGHRIDERS

Saturday, 2 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: B.C. -3.5

Lions line: Well, isn’t this an interesting test: The undefeated Leos taking on the undefeated Riders, with the winner claiming first place in the West. B.C. has run into some complacency concerns, but that’s no excuse for nearly coughing up the win to an inferior Hamilton side last week. Andrew Harris is turning into a star.

Riders line: They absolutely dominated the Eskimos last time out, and should be feeling good about their chances against the Grey Cup champs. Defensive end Odell Willis has been exactly what their pass rush needed. The offence remains as inconsistent as ever, but everyone can live with growing pains in the first month.

Bottom line: After playing their last six games at BC Place, the Lions finally take their show on the road.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Saturday, 6 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Hamilton -3.5

Argos line: Quarterback Ricky Ray’s 400-yard game last week has everyone excited about the Argos, but can we talk about the run game? He doesn’t do that unless Cory Boyd runs for 100 yards again. The Argos go as Boyd goes — Ray only makes them that much more dangerous.

Ticats line: George Cortez took some flak for lifting Henry Burris for a spell in the second quarter last week. Frankly, it was a smart move. The veteran needs to be reminded from time to time to dial it back, and getting benched demands attention. It worked — he almost led them all the way back against the Lions.

Bottom line: There are no ‘must wins’ in Week 3, right Hamilton?

THE PICKS (straight up)

The Free Press has 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, columnists Gary Lawless and Doug Brown, Paul Wiecek and Adam Wazny.

Irving: Montreal, Winnipeg, B.C., Hamilton

Lyons: Montreal, Edmonton, B.C., Hamilton

Lawless: Montreal, Edmonton, Saskatchewan, Toronto

Brown: Montreal, Winnipeg, B.C., Hamilton

Wiecek: Montreal, Winnipeg, B.C., Hamilton

Wazny: Montreal, Edmonton, B.C., Hamilton

Last week (overall): Irving 4-0 (6-2); Lyons 4-0 (6-2); Lawless 3-1 (6-2); Brown 3-1 (6-2); Wiecek 3-1 (5-3); Wazny 3-1 (4-4).