Slam Dunk picks: Large Alberta favourites

West teams are favoured by a combined 19.5 points over East counterparts.

Some large spreads to cover for Calgary – 15-0 run coming off bye weeks – and Edmonton.

Calgary Stampeders (12-1-1) at Hamilton Ticats (4-10)

Friday, October 13, 7 p.m. EST

60-1 was the score the last time Hamilton and Calgary met, but that was all the way back in Week 6. Kent Austin was the head coach and since June Jones has taken over, the Ticats have been a much different squad. Wins over B.C. and Winnipeg – on the road – were impressive and unpredictable. It would be a lot to expect a victory for Hamilton, but their playoff lives are on the line, so fair to expect maximum effort.

Line: Stampeders favoured by 9.5 points

Pick: Hamilton

Bet: $11 returns $10

Ottawa Redblacks (6-9-1) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-6)

Friday, October 13, 10 p.m. EST

The Riders played poorly for nearly three quarters the last time these teams played and Saskatchewan managed to pull out a rather improbable comeback. Chris Jones’ group returns to Mosaic Stadium where the team is 4-2 and it seems like a whole different energy comes out of them in Regina.

Line: Riders favoured by 3 points

Pick: Saskatchewan

Bet: $23 returns $20

Toronto Argonauts (7-8) at Edmonton Eskimos (8-6)

Saturday, October 14, 7 p.m. EST

After getting down 15-0, Edmonton outscored Montreal 42-9 the rest of the way on Thanksgiving Monday and secured a streak-stopping victory.

Toronto can clinch a playoff spot with one win and they’ll have to get that against a Western team as the Argos face Edmonton, Winnipeg and B.C. to finish their season. Ricky Ray should be able to pick apart an Eskimos secondary that’s been suspect for most of the season.

Line: Eskimos favoured by 7 points

Pick: Toronto

Bet: $11 returns $10

Season record against the spread: 30-21-2

Money line: 7-3

Teasers: 3-6

Parlays: 1-3

Bankroll: $258 from $100 starting budget