Last week, I got sacked for a 1-3 record as I lost my crystal ball on a few close games. This week, I will attempt to make up a little ground with some smart picks for the four games.
The first game is tonight’s early matchup between Hamilton and Montreal. Hamilton has a very poor record against Montreal and it would be foolish to pick the ’Cats to win this game. I’ve been called worse, so I will pick Hamilton to beat the Als.
Montreal has little to accomplish in this game, while Hamilton wishes to sew up a home playoff game. The Ticats are better across the board than any other East Division team, save for Montreal. The game is in Hamilton, so presumably the hardcore actual Hamilton fan base will be at the game.
The Tiger-Cat fan base has long been overrated for their loyalty, but even a modest crowd would suffice in tonight’s game. Solid defence and an adequate game from Ticat pivot Kevin Glenn will turn the tide for Hamilton.
Next up is tonight’s late game, which features Calgary at home to B.C. This game is a reversal of favourites from the ancient Roman lions vs. Christians matchups, because the B.C. Lions have little or no chance here.
The Stamps are a talented team that will pressure teams in all three phases of the game. It’s a little like a game of Russian roulette with every chamber filled for the Lions in this game.
The sole X-factor is that B.C. plays Calgary very well. That faint hope clause will fall short as the Lions become defenceless prey for the Stampeders.
Let’s face it, if Ricky Ray can turn into a gazelle against the Lions, then imagine what Hank Burris and Joffrey Reynolds will do against the Leos. The Lions may be hungry for a victory tonight, but the bitter taste of defeat will cool their appetite.
The Toronto Argonauts have objects that are closer than they would like in their rear view mirror. Heading the pack behind them is B.C., with Edmonton and division rival Winnipeg behind them. The saving grace is that the Argos only have to win one more game — or have the aforementioned trio lose one game — to make the playoffs.
But it won’t happen in Winnipeg for the Argos. They are about to get steamrolled by the Bombers and the stark reality that you can’t win in the CFL without a quarterback. Cleo Lemon is this year’s Kerry Joseph; a guy who was a replacement for the horribly under-talented Michael Bishop in Toronto. None of these guys is talented enough to play in a passing league.
Winnipeg has endured one of the finest 4-11 seasons ever produced in the CFL. They are too good for their record, but they need to learn how to finish games. They will get a giant confidence boost with a blowout against Toronto.
The last game of the weekend pits Saskatchewan against Edmonton. I predict an Eskimo victory in this game. The Eskimos have improved their O-line play enough to establish a solid run game. That will come in very handy against an under-sized Roughrider defence.
The ’Riders have a small defence that relied on speed and tenacity in previous years. This year, they are just too small and they are very weak against the run. Esks win this one.
Jim Sutherland is a local freelance writer whose columns appear on Tuesdays and Fridays. He can be reached at mystarcollectorcar.com