THIS WEEK IN THE CFL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/09/2011 (5449 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS (6-4) at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (5-5)

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

Vegas line: Hamilton by 5

Eskimos line: Tough to get a read on this club — one game they look like an elite squad, the next they look completely scattered. Edmonton is coming off a 30-20 loss to Calgary last weekend. Quarterback Ricky Ray threw for 345 yards, while receiver Adarius Bowman had four catches for 133 yards in the game. The Eskimos have only scored 74 points in four games against East division clubs. Not a great trend.

Tabbies line: From a big picture standpoint, this is like the same team playing itself — every week there’s a different effort and result. Hamilton is coming off a 30-point loss to Montreal, but has found a lot of success at Ivor Wynne Stadium (4-1 record). Running back Avon Cobourne has rushed for 623 yards and six touchdowns. Quarterback Kevin Glenn has thrown 15 TD passes versus just six picks. Not too shabby.

Bottom line: Tough game to call. Flip a coin here. Seriously.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (2-8) at SASK ROUGHRIDERS (3-7)

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

Vegas line: Saskatchewan by 7

Argos line: Well, it’s come to this for the Boatmen — beat the Riders here, unearth another win somewhere down the line, hope Saskatchewan doesn’t win another game and you’re in the playoffs. That shouldn’t be too difficult a task, right? Last week, in a 28-6 loss in Vancouver, Steven Jyles looked like a quarterback who hadn’t played a game in a nearly a year. He should be better this time around.

Riders line: As the leaves turn across the country, everything is coming up Green in Regina. The old ball coach is back and the club is riding high off a pair of convincing wins over the Bombers. Plus, they’ve added standout receiver Andy Fantuz to the lineup. It’s been a pretty good stretch here — and it gets better with the Argos rolling into town. Saskatchewan lost in Toronto last month, but that was when Greg Marshall was head coach so it doesn’t count.

Bottom line: Toronto might not win another game.

B.C. LIONS (4-6) at CALGARY STAMPEDERS (7-3)

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

Vegas line: Calgary by 5 1/2

Lions line: Has anyone noticed the Lions have put some wins together and look like a pretty good team now? They’ve won four of their last five (the lone loss against Winnipeg) and are doing it with a steady offence and a swarming defence. One concern with starting quarterback Travis Lulay: His completion percentage (57 per cent). On the flip side, veteran kicker Paul McCallum is kicking field goals at a 93 per cent clip.

Stamps line: In case you didn’t know, this is the CFL Hall of Fame game. Two former Stamps — Terry Vaughn and Danny McManus — are going in, along with players Joe Montford, Ken Lehmann and Chris Flynn. Builder category honourees are Don Matthews and Gino Fracas (posthumously). Calgary is just 2-3 at McMahon Stadium this season, so maybe the festivities will help the home side. It couldn’t hurt.

Bottom line: A good test to see just how hot the Lions are.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (7-3) at MONTREAL ALOUETTES (6-4)

When: Sunday, noon TV: TSN Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: Montreal by 8

Bombers line: There is no joy in Swaggerville. Losers of two straight, Winnipeg rolls into this one with a banged up quarterback (Buck Pierce has a rib issue) and without veteran linebacker Joe Lobendahn (torn ACL, out for the year). The Bombers defence has been torched for 72 points in the last two games, while the offence has turned the ball over 10 times. Running back Fred Reid is averaging 3.9 yards a carry. Good news? Winnipeg is 3-1 on the road. That’s something.

Alouettes line: Quarterback Anthony Calvillo went 31-of-45 for 421 yards and four touchdowns in a 43-13 win over Hamilton last weekend. Yeah, he’s still pretty good back there. Jamel Richardson is running away with the receiving title. He’s put up 1,015 yards (203 more than B.C.’s Geroy Simon) and has a league-leading eight touchdowns. This is the first of three games (over the next six weeks) between the two clubs.

Bottom line: Tough place for the Bombers to get back on track.

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:

Hamilton, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Montreal

Irving:

Hamilton, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Montreal

Wiecek:

Hamilton, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Montreal

Lyons:

Hamilton, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Montreal

Wazny:

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Hamilton, Saskatchewan, B.C., Montreal

Last week (overall): Lawless 4-0 (24-16); Irving 3-1 (24-16); Wiecek 1-3 (21-19); Lyons 3-1 (24-16); Wazny 2-2 (23-17).

— Adam Wazny