Friday
B.C. Lions at Montreal Alouettes (-10.5, 51)
Still suffering from a sternum injury, QB Anthony Calvillo will miss this game and be replaced by the former Florida Gator Chris Leak, who will start his first game in the CFL.
Those who have seen him in practice over the last three years will tell you he’s got the right stuff to fill in, especially under the guidance of a Marc Trestman. He doesn’t have the maturity or the skill level of Calvillo but he’s got a rocket arm and some irrefutable athletic qualities. Let’s not forget this is the same Chris Leak that led the Gators to the BCS title in 2006.
On the other side of the field, Lions QB Casey Printers is an enigma. Are his best years behind him? The question has to be asked. He now has the poorest QB rating among starters in the CFL (76.0).
Against a defence that relies on such talented payers as Chip Cox (Player of the Week) and John Bowman (co-leader for sacks with seven), Printers will have his hands full even if the Alouettes will be without their excellent OLB Diamond Ferri, who suffers from a virus.
Pick: Montreal
Sunday
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Saskatchewan Roughriders (-9.5, 58)
Let’s face it, the Blue Bombers are a much better team than their 2-6 record may suggest. They’ve lost some close games and injuries to Buck Pierce (knee) and Steven Jyles (ribs) didn’t help Paul La Police’s squad.
The problem for Winnipeg is that the Riders are also better than their 5-3 record indicates. Last week, Darian Durant was erratic in a 17-14 loss to the Eskimos - a game where he was picked off three times. Durant has thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes (12 to 11) this season.
Saskatchewan offensive coordinator Doug Berry will face the Bombers for the first time since he was dismissed two years ago. He admitted this week that he probably has been too conservative in his play calling. He will have all the reasons in the world to go for more spectacular plays against Winnipeg this week.
Pick: Saskatchewan
Monday
Toronto Argonauts at Hamilton Tiger Cats (-4, 50)
The Argonauts come to Hamilton to avenge the loss they took from the Tiger Cats in Toronto. Under Jim Barker, the Argos are a far different team from last year. But are they as improved as the Tiger Cats, who have been gaining respect over the last few years to finally give their fans a team they can be truly proud of?
Ball carrier Cory Boyd, for the Argos, has been sensational since the start of the season but probably had his worst game of the year in the 16-12 loss to Hamilton. The Tiger Cats are riding a three-win streak. Despite all the hype surrounding the progress of Argos QB Cleo Lemon, we still doubt his true value as a consistent starter in the CFL.
It’s not the case for his counterpart Kevin Glenn of the Tiger Cats, who is now third in passing in the CFL. His success is linked with the resurrection of the Tiger Cats, who could, with another win against Toronto, claim the season’s series and maybe even a share of first place in the East providing the Alouettes stumble against the Lions.
Pick: Hamilton
Edmonton Eskimos at Calgary Stampeders (-12.5, 54)
Eskimos head coach Richie Hall vows there’s no QB controversy in Edmonton despite the fact he pulled Ricky Ray to bring in young Jared Zabransky in a game where his team stole a surprising win against the mighty Roughriders. Don’t hold your breath. Ray is still No. 1 on the Eskimos depth chart.
Mind you, the Eskimos have other worries starting with the health of kick returner Kelly Campbell, who has been seen in crutches earlier this week at practice. Defensive back Saleem Borhot also looks injured. Those ailments are bad news for a team that was slaughtered 56-16 by these Stampeders two weeks ago - a humiliation that ended in a brawl that got five players fined by the commissioner.
The Stampeders look like they’re back on track and the return of Ken-Yon Rambo, who gained 108 yards last week against the Lions, only makes them more dangerous. Calgary is off to its best start since 1996. Some will say that anything can happen in the Battle of Alberta, but unless the Stampeders players invent ways to lose, it’s tough to imagine the Eskimos pulling off another upset this week.
Pick: Calgary
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