WEEK 12 IN THE CFL

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This article was published 17/09/2010 (5533 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS (9-1)

at

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (6-4)

When: Tonight, 8 p.m. TV: TSN Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: Calgary by 3

Calgary line: The Stamps hold the best record (9-1), have scored the most points (359) and have given up the least (202). QB Henry Burris has 23 TD passes. The pass defence is only allowing a 53 per cent completion rate and has 15 interceptions as a group.

Saskatchewan line: KR Dominque Dorsey has been put on the nine-game IR and WR Prechae Rodriguez has been cut. QB Darian Durant is only completing 59 per cent of his passes and has 14 interceptions. His 78.3 QB efficiency rating is worst among starting pivots.

Bottom line: There is a bumper crop of doubt in the Queen City right now.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (5-5) at B.C. LIONS (3-7)

When: Saturday, 9 p.m. TV: TSN. Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: Lions by 4

Hamilton line: QB Kevin Glenn had his worst game of the season against the Als, completing just 11 passes (on 27 attempts) for 159 yards and one pick. His value is almost Calvillo-like: As he goes, so do the ‘Cats. RB DeAndra Cobb averages just 4.3 yards per carry and the team just 78 rushing yards per game.

British Columbia line: The Lions are only mustering 325 yards of offence a game (last in the CFL). QB Casey Printers is coming off his best game this season, throwing for more than 300 yards in a win versus Toronto. K Paul McCallum has been near-automatic (23-of-25) in FGs this season.

Bottom line: If the Lions win this one, is Wally Buono is a genius again?

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (3-7) at TORONTO ARGONAUTS (5-5)

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

Vegas line: Pick ’em

Winnipeg line: The Bombers snapped a five-game losing streak last week. Despite winning the turnover battle with Saskatchewan (3-0), Winnipeg is still minus-four in that category. QB Steven Jyles is completing more than 65 per cent of his passes. RB Fred Reid has 806 yards, good for third in the CFL. The Bombers lost the first meeting between the clubs, 36-34, in Week 2.

Toronto line: The Argos do not have a receiver in the Top 20. The passing offence is ranked last in the league (2,388 yards). CFL rushing leader RB Cory Boyd (concussion) is out. Toronto is averaging only 22 points per game, while the defence is allowing 28 points an outing. The rush defence is better than average (113 yards allowed per game).

Bottom line: Winnipeg loses this one and it could be the season.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS (2-8) at

MONTREAL ALOUETTES (7-3)

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

Vegas line: Montreal by 12 1/2

Edmonton line: New GM Eric Tillman has a lot of work to do. The run defence is atrocious: 162 yards allowed every game. Opposing clubs are averaging seven yards per carry against the Esks who are minus-19 in the turnover ratio.

Montreal line: The Alouettes are plus-12 in turnovers. They have only fumbled away the fall four times this season. Receivers S.J. Green and Kerry Watkins have 15 TDs between them. QB Adrian McPherson threw for 238 yards in his season debut against Hamilton last week.

Bottom line: Montreal’s backups could be in the game before halftime.

THE PICKS

Bob Irving, CJOB: Saskatchewan, B.C., Winnipeg, Montreal

Ed Tait, Free Press: Calgary, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Montreal

Randy Turner, Free Press: Saskatchewan, B.C., Winnipeg, Edmonton

Adam Wazny, Free Press: Calgary, B.C., Winnipeg, Montreal

Mitch Zalnasky, CJOB: Calgary, B.C., Winnipeg, Montreal

Last week (overall): Irving: 3-1 (26-14); Tait: 3-1 (24-16); Turner: 3-1 (27-13); Wazny: 2-2 (27-13); Zalnasky: 2-2 (25-15).

— Adam Wazny