WEEK 17 IN THE CFL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/10/2009 (5831 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (6-9) at TORONTO ARGONAUTS (3-12)

When: Today, 6 p.m. TV: TSN.

Streaks: Ham: 4L; Tor: 5L.

Vegas line: The Tiger-Cats are favoured by 3 points.

The storyline: Yuck. The only thing that makes this game even remotely interesting is whether the Argos rise up and actually slug it out with their southern Ontario rivals or if they roll over and play dead, especially offensively, as they have so often this season. Love this stat, courtesy Dave Naylor of The Globe and Mail: Over the last two seasons the Argos and Ticats are a combined 3-27 post-Labour Day — 1-17 last year and 2-10 this season including an Argo win over Hamilton in September.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS (7-8) at CALGARY STAMPEDERS (8-6-1)

When: Today, 9 p.m. TV: TSN.

Streaks: Edm: 1W; Cal: 1T.

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

The storyline: The Battle of Alberta, wherever or whenever, is always juicy and this should be no different given how tight the West playoff race has been all season. The Esks need to keep pace with the leaders while eyeing a possible crossover berth, while the Grey Cup champs are still fixated on first and a berth in the West Final. A lot of questions being asked of Ricky Ray and the Edmonton offence of late, especially with the future hall-of-fame pivot having been held to under 200 yards passing in two of the last three games.

MONTREAL ALOUETTES (13-2) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (6-9)

When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.. TV: TSN/RDS (local blackout is in effect). Radio: CJOB.

Streaks: Mtl: 6W; Wpg: 1L.

Vegas line: The Alouettes are favoured by 5.

The storyline: Much of the attention for this one will be on the two men who take the snaps from centre for their teams. Bombers QB Michael Bishop was responsible for four turnovers last week — three interceptions and a fumble — in the loss to B.C. while Anthony Calvillo is fighting a calf strain and may give way to Adrian McPherson. Montreal’s next win will tie a franchise record for victories in a season with the 2004 side that went 14-4.

B.C. LIONS (8-7) at SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (8-6-1)

When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. TV: TSN.

Streaks: B.C: 3W. Sask: 1T.

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

The storyline: Our pick for game of the week. Printers was declared the B.C. starting QB after taking most of the snaps all week with the Lions No. 1 offence. (Buck Pierce, Jarious Jackson and last week’s hero, Travis Lulay, all have bum shoulders). B.C. may opt to have both A.J. Harris and Martel Mallett in the backfield at the same time in an effort to pound the ball at the Riders. Saskatchewan will keep rolling with Darian Durant (12-6-1 as a starter) & Co.

THE PICKS

Bob Irving, CJOB: Hamilton, Calgary, Montreal, Saskatchewan.

Gary Lawless, Free Press: Hamilton, Calgary, Montreal, Saskatchewan.

Ed Tait, Free Press: Hamilton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan.

Randy Turner, Free Press: Hamilton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan.

Mitch Zalnasky, CJOB: Hamilton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan.

Last week/overall (last week’s Calgary-Saskatchewan tie is listed as a loss here): Bob Irving: 1-3/38-22; Randy Turner: 2-2/34-26; Ed Tait: 2-2/34-26; Gary Lawless: 2-2/33-27; Mitch Zalnasky: 3-1/33-27.