It’s almost time for Week 10 in the Canadian Football League with a couple of matchups so nice we’re getting them twice.
The CFL schedule makers hit “copy + paste” a couple of times with the second half of home-and-homes coming to Toronto and Montreal. Also, a top team in the West Division is looking to regroup after a frustrating loss.
Let’s get into it.
Thursday, Aug. 8: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Ottawa Redblacks — 7:30 p.m. EDT
The Saskatchewan Roughriders struggled against the Edmonton Elks last week, giving their West Division rivals their first win of the year. Now they take on a well-rested Ottawa Redblacks team looking to stay hot.
The Riders got a taste of their own medicine in the loss, giving up 22 points in the fourth quarter and committing a late turnover. Saskatchewan’s run defence stood out for the wrong reasons as the unit, which had been allowing fewer than 50 yards on the ground per game, gave up twice that many yards in the first half alone.
I expect defensive-minded head coach Corey Mace will get the Green and White back on track on the defensive side of the ball. His defence has been excellent in creating turnovers throughout the season and they face an Ottawa team that has struggled with taking care of the football at times.
The Redblacks have turned things around this year with a 5-2 mark, putting some pressure on the first-place Montreal Alouettes in the East Division. However, their strength of schedule leaves something to be desired.
This year, Ottawa has defeated: Winnipeg, who struggled against everyone to start the year, Hamilton, who is 2-6, a pre-Tre Ford Edmonton Elks team twice, and Calgary.
Saskatchewan, regardless of who is starting at QB, would like to believe they are a tier above those teams and I would believe them.
Pick: Saskatchewan +1.5
Friday, Aug. 9: Calgary Stampeders vs. Toronto Argonauts — 7:30 p.m. EDT
Calgary stayed undefeated at home with a win over the Toronto Argonauts in the Stampede City last weekend. Now, the Argos will look to keep Calgary winless on the road.
The Stamps have struggled this year away from the friendly (albeit very old) confines of McMahon Stadium. You can certainly explain away Calgary’s first two road losses of the year — in the first, they lost a competitive game to the Lions in Vancouver before losing another tight one in Montreal three weeks later.
But the last two losses have been quite concerning. Calgary’s been outscored 74-43 in their last two road defeats — one to a then-struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers team and the other a blow out loss against the Redblacks.
And yes, the Stampeders looked good against Toronto in the fourth quarter on Sunday night. But they were soundly outplayed in the first three quarters. They were even booed off the field at halftime before getting things figured out. I don’t think that will happen without the McMahon faithful at their back this time around.
Pick: Toronto -1
Saturday, Aug. 10: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Montreal Alouettes — 7:00 p.m. EDT
Saturday night in Montreal features another Week 9 rematch with the Als looking to go two-for-two against Hamilton.
Unlike the pick above, I don’t see this matchup going that much differently.
The one edge Hamilton has going into this contest is they now have a full game’s worth of film on Davis Alexander. The problem is that may not matter given Cody Fajardo could return to the lineup and, even if he doesn’t, Hamilton’s defence has allowed the most points of any team in the CFL.
Hamilton’s defence hasn’t shown us much to believe they can limit anyone under centre.
On the other side of the ball, the Alouettes slowed down Bo Levi Mitchell’s hot start to the season. The former two-time M.O.P. was held to just 240 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, his lowest yardage total of the year.
Montreal’s defence has been fantastic in disguising their pressures and causing problems for opposing QBs all season long. So, again, just because Hamilton saw it last week doesn’t mean they can do anything to change it this week.
Add all of that to what is sure to be a fun Saturday night atmosphere in Montreal and it could be another long night for Hamilton.
