Week 6 in the CFL has arrived, which means it’s time for our contributors to make their picks straight-up and against the spread.
Our Montreal-based reporter, Pablo Herrera-Vergara, leads the picks standings straight-up at 16-4, though Ben Grant and Peter Klein are hot on his tail. He also leads the standings against the spread at 13-7, sitting one game ahead of Grant, Troy Durrell, Santino Filoso, and Andrew Hoskins.
Without further ado, here are our picks for Week 5 in the CFL.
Thursday, July 11: Toronto Argonauts at Montreal Alouettes — 7:30 p.m. EDT
The Boatmen are looking to right the ship following back-to-back losses as Cameron Dukes threw four interceptions last week in Regina. The team will be without former all-star defensive lineman Jake Ceresna due to a shoulder injury, while reigning CFL all-star safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy is a game-time decision for Montreal. With a win, the Alouettes would improve to 6-0 for the first time since 2006, though the team is coming off a short week having beaten the Stampeders this past Saturday.
ABBOTT: Toronto ferocious defensive line has been declawed, which will put more on Dukes’ shoulders than he can handle.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
BALLANTINE: Montreal continues to roll over every other team and Dukes hasn’t been as advertised.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
DURRELL: A short week might make this closer than the previous matchup but I still think Montreal has the horses to get it done.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Toronto.
FILOSO: I’ll continue rolling with the Alouettes until they give me reason not to.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
GASSON: The short week for Montreal will be tough but I don’t see them slowing down just yet.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
GRANT: Good coaches make the most of extra preparation time and it’s why I like Ryan Dinwiddie’s team here with a two-day head start against a better team.
Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Even with injured players, Noel Thorpe’s defence should cause a lot of trouble for Cameron Dukes, who’s coming off two bad performances.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Toronto.
HODGE: The Alouettes will improve to 6-0 for the first time since 2006 but, coming off a short week, this one could be close.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Toronto.
HOSKINS: The Alouettes continue to be strong and find ways to win. They’ll go to 6-0.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
KLEIN: Montreal’s defence gave Toronto problems when things were going well. Now that the Argos have hit rough waters, I can’t imagine the result will be different.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 9, Toronto 1.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 6, Toronto 4.
Friday, July 12: Calgary Stampeders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 8:30 p.m. EDT
Jake Maier has regressed through four starts this season, managing only 106 passing yards in last week’s loss to the Alouettes during which the Stampeders squandered a 14-point third-quarter lead. Winnipeg is coming off their first win of the year, which saw Brady Oliveira and Chris Streveler run roughshod over the Ottawa Redblacks. Zach Collaros, who missed last week’s game due to a thorax injury, is expected to return to the starting role for the Blue Bombers in this one.
ABBOTT: Winnipeg finally remembered how to run the football last week, while Jake Maier seemingly forgot how to pass.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
BALLANTINE: The Stamps beat the Peg two weeks ago and there’s no reason to believe they won’t again.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
DURRELL: I don’t feel fully comfortable picking Winnipeg, but they’ve got a little momentum going now after grabbing their first win.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Calgary.
FILOSO: Sure, Winnipeg won last week, but it was far from a convincing win.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
GASSON: Whoever gets even decent QB play wins. I’ll go with the home team.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
GRANT: Winnipeg didn’t do enough last week to make me a believer but Calgary came close to making me a non-believer with a dreadful second half against Montreal.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Blue Bombers are relieved after last week’s win. Calgary will have a lot of trouble forgetting last game.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
HODGE: Zach Collaros has to get better because he can’t get any worse. I’ll take the home side by a hair.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Calgary.
HOSKINS: Winnipeg has the taste of victory now and the defence will cause issues for Jake Maier.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
KLEIN: The Bombers got back in the win column last week while the Stamps stumble. Both teams continue going in opposite directions this week.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Winnipeg 7, Calgary 3.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Winnipeg 5, Calgary 5.
Saturday, July 13: Saskatchewan Roughriders at B.C. Lions — 7:00 p.m. EDT
The Riders are riding high at 4-0, though they’ll be in tough this week against the high-flying Lions. Vernon Adams Jr. and company decimated Hamilton’s defence last week as he threw for four touchdowns and over 300 yards in the first half alone, leading B.C. to a fourth straight win. Shea Patterson is expected to make his second start with Trevor Harris still out of the lineup for Saskatchewan due to a knee injury. He threw for 192 yards and one touchdown against Toronto last week, recording a win in his first career CFL start.
ABBOTT: Shea Patterson isn’t good enough to beat the Lions, but Corey Mace’s defence may be good enough to cover the spread.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
BALLANTINE: I like the Lions to win but the spread seems generous. Saskatchewan is 4-0 for a reason.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
DURRELL: Shea Patterson was fine against Toronto but the Riders’ defence won them that game. I’m not sure he can keep up with Vernon Adams Jr. in a track meet.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
FILOSO: Saskatchewan isn’t a bad team but the Lions are always tough at home. If this turns into a shootout, I’m trusting Adams over Patterson.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
GASSON: We’ll see if the Riders’ offence can keep up in what should be a solid test for the road team.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
GRANT: This would be the game of the year if Trevor Harris were playing. Without him, the Lions should be able to run away with it.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Shea Patterson did well in his first start, but this is another beast. B.C. should win easily.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
HODGE: The Riders have feasted on turnovers so far this season. If the Lions can avoid making those mistakes, this one shouldn’t be very close.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
HOSKINS: The Riders’ defence has been good but not quite good enough to stop the V.A. train. They do keep it close.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
KLEIN: Saskatchewan has found a way to win every week but the Lions are a different animal.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: B.C. 10, Saskatchewan 0.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: B.C. 6, Saskatchewan 4.
Sunday, July 14: Ottawa Redblacks at Edmonton Elks — 7:00 p.m. EDT
The Redblacks lost Dru Brown to a head injury last week against Winnipeg and it remains unclear if he will play in Edmonton as he was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. If he’s unable to suit up, it appears likely that Dustin Crum will take over the starting role as he did in relief against the Blue Bombers. Meanwhile, the Elks are coming off a bye week still looking for their first win of the campaign at 0-4.
ABBOTT: If Edmonton can’t get it done on 17 days rest against a team with QB question marks, they might as well pack up shop.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
BALLANTINE: I feel like the football gods won’t let Jones win until he starts Tre Ford.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
DURRELL: Despite their 0-4 record, the Elks have played some solid football. Couple that with a possible Dru Brown injury and I think the Elks get their first win of the season.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
FILOSO: I’d be a lot more confident in this pick if I knew Dru Brown was starting, but even if it’s Dustin Crum under centre, the Redblacks should take care of business.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
GASSON: I don’t trust Ottawa on the road.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
GRANT: If games were 59 minutes long, Edmonton might be atop the power rankings. I’m betting they figured out that extra minute during the bye.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Elks have proven they can compete against the best. Now, they should get their first win, especially after a bye week.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HODGE: It’s tough to pick this game without knowing the status of Dru Brown, but it feels like the Elks are finally going to get off the schneid.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HOSKINS: The Elks are due against one of the league’s middling teams. I’ll give them the win at home off the bye week.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
KLEIN: I think the Elks finally get on track here.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Edmonton 8, Ottawa 2.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Edmonton 8, Ottawa 2.
Records to date (straight-up)
HERRERA-VERGARA — 16-4
GRANT — 15-5
KLEIN — 15-5
ABBOTT — 14-6
DURRELL — 14-6
FILOSO — 14-6
GASSON — 14-6
HOSKINS — 14-6
BALLANTINE — 11-9
HODGE — 11-9
Records to date (against the spread)
HERRERA-VERGARA — 13-7
DURRELL — 12-8
FILOSO — 12-8
GASSON — 12-8
GRANT — 12-8
HOSKINS — 12-8
KLEIN — 11-9
ABBOTT — 10-10
HODGE — 9-11
BALLANTINE — 8-12
