Week Nineteen CFL Picks

BC Lions at Toronto Argonauts (-3.5)

Friday, October 30: 7:05 PM ET

These two teams are headed in entirely different directions. The Lions (6-10) dismantled the Ti-Cats last week 40-13 with rookie pivot Jonathon Jennings looking increasingly poised in each consecutive start. The Argos (9-7), meanwhile, look like a team that has finally let a tough schedule get to them, dropping last week’s contest to the lowly Alouettes by an embarrassing 32-point margin. Despite the recent history of these clubs, though, I can’t pick against Ricky Ray — not until he gets me a reason to, anyway. I’m take the Argos in the final installment of the Braley Bowl.

Pick straight-up: Toronto

Pick against the spread: Toronto

Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders (-14)

Saturday, October 31: 3:05 PM ET

Even with a two-touchdown spread, this pick is a no-brainer. Calgary is 29-6 at home dating back to 2012 and John Hufnagel is a perfect 9-0 in his career following the bye week. On the flip side, the ‘Riders (2-14) will use this game to hold auditions at multiple positions for next year’s squad. I hate eating double-digit point spreads, but I’m willing to choke this one down. Give me the Stamps.

Pick straight-up: Calgary

Pick against the spread: Calgary

Ottawa RedBlacks at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-4)

Sunday, November 1: 1:05 PM ET

Jeff Mathews took a major step back last week in Friday’s late game versus the Lions. His Ti-Cats (10-6) will need him to be sharper in this first contest of a back-to-back with Ottawa (10-6) should decide the fate of the East Division. Meanwhile, the RedBlacks, as impressive as they’ve been at times this season, haven’t beaten an above-.500 team since week five when they defeated Calgary at home by a score of 29-26. Smilin’ Hank and company will need to prove they can beat solid competition if they hope to make some noise in the playoffs — and while I think they’ll keep this one close, I see the Tabbies winning at home.

Pick straight-up: Hamilton

Pick against the spread: Ottawa

Montreal Alouettes at Edmonton Eskimos (-8)

Sunday, November 1: 4:05 PM ET

It is so Kevin Glenn of Kevin Glenn to go off for 294 yards and three touchdowns after I called him “not very good” in my picks post last week. With that being said, Glenn combined for just 329 yards passing, two touchdowns, and four interceptions in two meetings against the Eskimos a season ago with BC. For this reason, I don’t much like Montreal’s (6-10) chances. Conversely, the Eskimos (13-4) need this game to lock-up first place in the West Division. As such, I very much like their chances. Give me the Eskies by double-digits.

Pick straight-up: Edmonton

Pick against the spread: Edmonton

Season record straight-up: 44-29

Season record against the spread: 38-34-1

John Hodge, Blue Bomber Talk

Twitter: @BlueBomberTalk

Email: bluebombertalk@gmail.com