WEEK 18 IN THE CFL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/10/2011 (5150 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (4-12) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (10-6)

When: Tonight, 7 p.m. TV: TSN. Radio: CJOB.

Vegas line: Winnipeg by 8.5

Argonauts line: Not much left to say here, given the poor record and equally poor showing on offence through most of the season. It’s pretty funny — or is it disturbing? — hearing Jim Barker continue to pump the tires on Steven Jyles. That’s what he did with Cleo Lemon, too. Changes are coming in Toronto once this season ends. One wonders just how deep the knife will cut.

Bombers line: Thanks to the win over Montreal last week, the Bombers are in the driver’s seat for first place in the East. Simple task: Keep pace with the Alouettes and Winnipeg claims top spot. In a related story, everyone is feeling good about their chances against the Argos. Winnipeg hasn’t embraced the role of “favourite” the last couple months. They don’t do things easy, do they?

Bottom line: Winnipeg needs to take care of business early here.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (8-8) at SASK. ROUGHRIDERS (4-12)

When: Saturday, 2 p.m. TV: TSN.

Vegas line: Hamilton by 6.5

Tiger-Cats line: Credit where credit is due, full marks and all that good stuff to Hamilton after the impressive win over the Lions last week. Nice work, Tabbies. Hanging 42 points on that defence is no small feat, and they did it with this bizarre two-quarterback system that has everyone on opposing teams baffled. Not because they can’t stop it, but because they can’t believe it is actually working.

Riders line: Tickets! Who needs tickets?!? Let’s see… Darian Durant and Andy Fantuz are done for the season with foot and ankle injuries. Meanwhile, Barrin Simpson has stepped aside so the club can look at other players. Expect many at Mosaic Stadium to follow suit and check out of this one early as well. Getting drunk in the stands is no fun when your team has nothing to play for.

Bottom line: Hamilton should use this game to work on a three-quarterback rotation.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS (10-6) at B.C. LIONS (9-7)

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

Vegas line: B.C. by 4.5

Eskimos line: Yeah, yeah, so they had a late-game scare against lowly Toronto, but that’s what the Argos do now, so let’s not make too much about it. Every team falls asleep now and then. What’s of interest in this important division game is that a win gives Edmonton the West Division crown. Who saw that coming? This club is like Winnipeg: No one really takes them seriously, it seems. Why is that?

Lions line: All good things must come to an end. That includes eight-game win streaks, a lofty run that came crashing down in Steeltown last weekend. Two home games to close out the schedule should help ease the pain. That’s the good news. The bad news consists of a rash of injuries that has Wally Buono scrambling to find anyone with a Canadian passport to throw on the roster.

Bottom line: Snatch the remote away from your hockey-loving friends and watch this one.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS (9-7) at MONTREAL ALOUETTES (10-6)

When: Sunday, noon. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Montreal by 4.5

Stamps line: The early returns on quarterback Drew Tate? He started strong and had a few hiccups along the way, but he looks like a guy who will be leading the Stamps huddle for the next 10 years. Speaking of that number, how about the way he spread the ball around to 10 different receivers against Saskatchewan last week? Making friends is very important.

Alouettes line: Superstar quarterback Anthony Calvillo fell on his sword after the Winnipeg loss, like any good leader should, but his responsibility is slightly off the mark. That collapse was a total team effort, starting with the man in charge of the entire operation, Marc Trestman. Brandon Whitaker is the best running back in the CFL. They should use him a lot more.

Bottom line: Tate was 10 years old when Calvillo started his CFL career.

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: Winnipeg, Hamilton, B.C., Montreal

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

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

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

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

Last week (overall): Lawless 2-2 (35-29); Irving 3-1 (38-26); Wiecek 2-2 (35-29); Lyons 3-1 (39-25); Wazny 3-1 (40-24).

— Adam Wazny