3DownNation CFL picks: Ticats look to close gap on Argos

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym

We’ve reached Week 14 of the CFL season! Friday and Saturday each feature one divisional game and one interdivisional game, all of which have playoff implications.

Montreal has a new starting quarterback, B.C. has a new kicker, and the Riders could have two stars out with injury in their receiving corps. A red-hot Jeremiah Masoli will look to keep his tear alive after throwing for an average of 315 yards over his past four starts along with seven touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Without further ado, here are the picks.

Friday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET
B.C. Lions (4-7) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-5)
Betting line: Ticats -6.5

The Leos are riding a five-game losing streak but have yet to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Nick Vogel will kick after Jimmy Camacho was demoted to the practice roster after finishing zero-for-three on field goals in last week’s loss to Toronto. The Ticats sit two points back of the Argos for first place in the East Division, so consider this a must-win for the Tabbies.

DUNK: The Ticats are hummin’. TICATS

HODGE: The Ticats are getting hot at the right time. TICATS

ABBOTT: Masoli is hot, Reilly is not. TICATS

BALLANTINE: No reason to believe the recent trends don’t continue. TICATS

FILOSO: B.C. is a one-trick pony and that pony won’t beat a deep Hamilton team. TICATS

GASSON: Follow the leader. TICATS

HUDSON: It’s do-or-die for the Lions but that won’t be enough to make them better on the road. TICATS

LUDWIG: It’s only Ottawa and Edmonton they’ve beaten lately, but Hamilton should push the Lions to the brink. TICATS

MCGUIRE: The Leos will find their groove with Lucky Whitehead leading the charge again. LIONS

SMITH: The Lions are a feisty bunch, but not good enough to beat a hot Tabbies team at home. TICATS

LIONS 1
TICATS 9

Friday, Nov. 5 at 9:45 p.m. ET
Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-4) at Edmonton Elks (2-8)
Betting line: Riders -6.5

The Riders need to keep winning if they hope to maintain second place in the West Division with Calgary threatening. Star receiver Duke Williams is questionable to play, while Kyran Moore was officially ruled out for the rest of the year due to a knee injury. Edmonton is a pathetic 0-6 at home with Friday’s game serving as their last chance to avoid going winless at Commonwealth Stadium for the first time in club history.

DUNK: Saskie can smell a home playoff game. RIDERS 

HODGE: Edmonton finishes winless at home for the first time ever. RIDERS

ABBOTT: There is no energy left in Commonwealth and that is a problem. RIDERS

BALLANTINE: The great dumpster fire of 2021 continues for the Elks. RIDERS

FILOSO: Edmonton is the worst team in the league on AND off the field. RIDERS

GASSON: Edmonton has nothing to play for and Saskatchewan is better. RIDERS 

HUDSON: Edmonton is done, but maybe we’ll see Arbuckle in another jersey? RIDERS

LUDWIG: Who knows, maybe missing Wilder, Ellingson, and Walker will somehow help Edmonton’s spiritless offence? RIDERS

MCGUIRE: Is this even a question? RIDERS

SMITH: Can’t take the Elks. RIDERS

RIDERS 10
ELKS 0

Saturday, Nov. 6 at 4:00 p.m. ET
Toronto Argonauts (7-4) at Ottawa Redblacks (2-10)
Betting line: Argos -10.5

The Boatmen are coming off a tight win over the Lions despite some bone-headed late decision-making. Toronto blasted Ottawa 35-16 in early October and they’ll be looking to repeat that success to maintain the top spot in the East Division. The Redblacks are officially in next-year country, recently re-signing key special teamers DeVonte Dedmon, Richie Leone, and Lewis Ward through 2022.

DUNK: Toronto keeps top spot in the East. ARGOS

HODGE: Toronto needs this game. Ottawa doesn’t. ARGOS

ABBOTT: This game won’t be close enough in the final minute for Dinwiddie to screw up. ARGOS

BALLANTINE: Beyond pride, there is nothing to play for in Ottawa. ARGOS

FILOSO: LaPolice’s squad has done nothing to inspire confidence. ARGOS

GASSON: Can the Argos beat the over themselves? Let’s watch. ARGOS

HUDSON: Ottawa is busy re-signing their best players, which are kickers for next season. ARGOS

LUDWIG: This week we all cash Ottawa under 3.5 wins. ARGOS

MCGUIRE: Want a reason to vote for Ottawa but playing for jobs isn’t enough here. ARGOS

SMITH: I really want to take Ottawa, but I’m too gutless. ARGOS

ARGOS 10
REDBLACKS 0

Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Montreal Alouettes (6-5) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-1)
Betting line: Bombers -12.5

Trevor Harris will make his first start for the Als since being acquired last month via trade from Edmonton. He struggled in his final start with the Elks at IG Field, so Saturday’s game will give him a shot at redemption against Winnipeg’s tough defence. The Blue Bombers clinched first place in the West Division in their recent win over B.C., so it’s possible they’ll look to rest some of their starters.

DUNK: The Alouettes are tempting but Winnipeg has built a winning culture. BOMBERS

HODGE: Mike O’Shea has convinced his team there are no meaningless games. BOMBERS

ABBOTT: I need an upset to gain ground in the standings. Might as well bet on angry Trevor. ALS

BALLANTINE: This isn’t the week the Bombers trip. BOMBERS 

FILOSO: Harris will have a good (statistical) game but Montreal will lose. BOMBERS

GASSON: I want to take Montreal but can’t do it. BOMBERS 

HUDSON: Winnipeg’s coming off a bye and Montreal is about to start a pocket QB behind an offensive line used to blocking for an escape artist. BOMBERS

LUDWIG: No reason to pick against Winnipeg yet. We’ll see how much their top guys play. BOMBERS

MCGUIRE: Interesting matchup with nothing on the line for the Peg, but no surprises. BOMBERS

SMITH: I don’t believe in Trevor Harris. BOMBERS

ALS 1
BOMBERS 9

Records to date

Gasson 31-19
Dunk 31-19
McGuire 30-20
Hudson 29-21
Hodge 27-23
Ludwig 27-23
Ballantine 25-25
Smith 24-26
Abbott 22-28
Filoso 20-30