Ed Tait’s Week 5 in the CFL

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This article was published 30/07/2009 (5919 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL ALOUETTES (4-0) at EDMONTON ESKIMOS (2-2)

When: Today, 8 p.m. TV: TSN/RDS

Streaks: Mtl: 4W; Edm: 1W

Vegas line: The Alouettes are favoured by 6.5 points.

The storyline: Montreal pummelled the Eskimos 50-16 three weeks ago and remain the CFL’s only unbeaten squad. Als’ QB Anthony Calvillo shredded the Esks’ defence in the victory, completing 30 of 39 passes for 404 yards. The Esks rallied for a critical win in Regina last weekend and, in the process, may have finally discovered a decent ground game featuring Calvin McCarty and Arkee Whitlock that could give their offence some balance.

B.C. LIONS (1-3) at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (2-2)

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

Streaks: B.C.: 1L; Ham: 1L

Vegas line: The Lions are favoured by 2 points.

The storyline: Strange to see the Lions favoured here — on the road and coming off a 48-10 loss to Calgary that was the worst in head coach Wally Buono’s tenure in Vancouver. Lots of talk about regrouping in Lions country this week and what has been especially surprising is how their defence has been lit up (32.2 points per game), including surrendering a league-worst 132.2 yards rushing per game. The Ticats, meanwhile, served up a decent defensive effort in a 21-8 loss in Montreal and get a boost offensively with the addition of Arland Bruce III. Quinton Porter will continue to start at QB with Kevin Glenn in reserve.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (1-3) at TORONTO ARGONAUTS (2-2)

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

Streaks: Wpg: 2L; Tor: 1W

Vegas line: The Argonauts are favoured by 5 1/2 points.

The storyline: It hasn’t exactly been dull in River City or The Big Smoke this week, what with Michael Bishop — the ex-Argo — arriving in Winnipeg and likely to get the start against his old mates. As well, the Argos ended the Arland Bruce III sideshow by dealing him to Hamilton for D-line prospect Cory Mace and draft picks. The Bombers are hoping — no, praying — that Bishop can move the offence vertically after it managed just 123 yards in the first contest, including just 66 through the air. Without establishing any kind of passing threat, the Bombers won’t lead the CFL in rushing for long, as defences will continue to stack defenders at or near the line of scrimmage.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (2-2) at CALGARY STAMPEDERS (2-2)

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

Streaks: Sask: 2L; Cal: 2W.

Vegas line: The Stampeders are favoured by 9 1/2 points.

The storyline: Two squads heading in opposite directions — the champion Stamps are rolling after stumbling out of the gate while the Riders have dropped two in a row, including last week’s second-half collapse against the Esks at home. Calgary will be without Ken-Yon Rambo, but may have found a solid replacement in Jermaine Jackson (five catches for 46 yards and a TD last week). Lots of fingers are being pointed at Rider QB Darian Durant, but the problems are more deep-rooted than that, considering the offence is getting out-performed in second halves and the defence has shown it is vulnerable against the run. Saskatchewan will be without defensive end John Chick, who is hurt again, but welcomes back O-lineman Gene Makowsky.

THE PICKS

Bob Irving, CJOB: Edmonton, B.C., Toronto, Calgary.

Gary Lawless, Free Press: Montreal, B.C., Winnipeg, Calgary.

Ed Tait, Free Press: Montreal, B.C., Toronto, Calgary.

Randy Turner, Free Press: Montreal, Hamilton, Toronto, Calgary.

Mitch Zalnasky, CJOB: Montreal, Hamilton, Toronto, Calgary.

Last week/overall: Bob Irving: 2-2/9-7; Ed Tait: 2-2/8-8; Mitch Zalnasky: 2-2/8-8; Randy Turner: 1-3/7-9; Gary Lawless: 1-3/6-10.