After going shot-for-shot with Winnipeg for the top spot in the West Division over the first ten weeks of the 2023 CFL season, the B.C. Lions have seen their odds to win this year’s Grey Cup grow following back-to-back losses to Saskatchewan and Hamilton.
The Lions currently sit second in the standings at 7-4, four points back of the Blue Bombers for first place. The season series between the two teams is currently tied at one game apiece with the rubber match slated for Oct. 6 in Vancouver. B.C.’s current odds are almost identical to those with which they started the season at +550.
B.C. will visit Montreal on Saturday before their second bye of the year in Week 14. They will then play their final six games in as many weeks with their contest against Winnipeg being the only one slated against an opponent that’s currently above .500. They will finish the regular season with a bye in Week 21.
Other than Edmonton, whose odds skyrocketed amid an 0-9 start, the team that has seen their odds increase the most since the start of the season is the Calgary Stampeders. Cowtown started the year at +650 but that number has increased significantly as the club’s lost five of their last six games. The Stamps currently sport the second-longest odds to win this year’s Grey Cup alongside the Ottawa Redblacks, who started the year at +1200.
Calgary has back-to-back games against Edmonton coming up as part of their annual Labour Day home-and-home series. The Elks have suddenly won two consecutive games and could leapfrog the Stampeders in the standings with a win this week. Calgary will be under significant pressure to sweep the series as the club currently sits four points behind Saskatchewan for the third and final playoff spot in the West Division.
Winnipeg and Toronto, the two teams that met in last year’s Grey Cup, have the shortest odds to win it all in 2023. Both teams currently lead their respective divisions with four-point cushions over the squad behind them.
The 110th Grey Cup is set for Sunday, Nov. 19 at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.
