We’ve officially reached the midway point of the 2024 CFL regular season with plenty still up for grabs in both divisions.
This week’s slate of games features a battle of two first-place teams, a massive West Division matchup between Winnipeg and B.C., the much-anticipated return of Jeremiah Masoli, and a spat between two 2-7 squads in Steeltown.
Santino Filoso sits atop our standings straight-up at 26-13-1, though JC Abbott, Joel Gasson, Ben Grant, and Pablo Herrera-Vergara are hot on his trail at 25-14-1. Filoso also sits atop our standings against the spread at 24-16, though he’s tied with Grant.
Without further ado, here are our picks for Week 11 in the CFL.
Thursday, Aug. 15: Ottawa Redblacks at Calgary Stampeders — 9:00 p.m. EDT
With Dru Brown on the one-game injured list with a foot problem, veteran quarterback Jeremiah Masoli will make his second start in two calendar years after recuperating from a fractured leg he suffered in 2022 and a torn Achilles he sustained in 2023. He will lead the Redblacks into McMahon Stadium where the Stampeders are 4-0 on the year thanks in part to a fast-improving defence. Jake Maier has been inconsistent so far this season, though only two of his seven interceptions have come on home soil.
ABBOTT: The Redblacks know how much this means for Masoli. They rally around him.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
BALLANTINE: Calgary is undefeated at home and has beaten some good teams in that process. I’m not sure what McMahon magic is boiling under the bleachers, but I’ll bet on it.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
DURRELL: If Jeremiah Masoli looks like the player he used to be, this could be interesting, but the Stamps have been a different team at home this season.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Ottawa.
FILOSO: The Redblacks’ defence has quietly morphed into one of the league’s best and this is likely Masoli’s last chance to prove he still has it.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
GASSON: Ottawa’s defence is for real. A storybook return for Masoli.
Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.
GRANT: There aren’t a lot of sure things in the CFL this year beyond Calgary winning at home and losing on the road.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Ottawa.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Stamps have been good at home and Masoli won’t perform miracles in his 2024 debut.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Ottawa.
HODGE: The Stampeders have been good at home but Jeremiah Masoli can knock off enough rust to keep it close.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Ottawa.
HOSKINS: Calgary has found a way at home and Ottawa’s in transition at QB. The Stampeders find a way to win a close one.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
KLEIN: The Stampeders’ defence has been playing better and they are a different team at home.
Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Calgary 7, Ottawa 3.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Ottawa 8, Calgary 2.
Friday, Aug. 16: Montreal Alouettes at Saskatchewan Roughriders — 9:00 p.m. EDT
The Alouettes have continued to roll regardless of who’s under centre, going 8-1 to clinch their best start in two decades thanks to a league-best defence, strong special teams, and balanced offence. Saskatchewan is riding a three-game winless slump but is starting to get healthy at the right time as Trevor Harris, A.J. Ouellette, and Jameer Thurman are expected to return this week. The Riders coughed up a 13-point halftime lead the last time these two teams met and will look to avoid a similar fate at Mosaic Stadium on Friday.
ABBOTT: Corey Mace has two-and-a-half games of tape on a young quarterback. That will be the difference.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
BALLANTINE: Montreal’s defence continues to impress and Harris may have to shake off some rust before getting back to full steam.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
DURRELL: Trevor Harris should provide a big boost to the Riders lineup.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
FILOSO: Couldn’t be me picking against the Alouettes.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
GASSON: Harris’ return should spark the offence. This will be a good one.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
GRANT: Montreal remains the best team in the league and have built a nice cushion. The Riders simply need this one more and Harris will help in that regard.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HERRERA-VERGARA: With Trevor Harris and A.J. Ouellette back, the Riders should have the necessary boost to beat the Als at home.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HODGE: The Riders are starting to get healthy at the right time.
Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.
HOSKINS: Montreal’s defence rules the day.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
KLEIN: The Alouettes’ defence is going to give the Riders’ offensive line problems again. It doesn’t matter who plays QB if they don’t have time.
Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 6, Montreal 4.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 6, Montreal 4.
Saturday, Aug. 17: Edmonton Elks at Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 7:00 p.m. EDT
It’s unclear if Tre Ford will play this week as he’s day-to-day with a rib injury he sustained during last week’s win over B.C., which means McLeod Bethel-Thompson may regain the starting role. Though his numbers on the season are respectable, he’s 0-7 as a starter, which isn’t great news for Elks fans. Hamilton has already announced a quarterback change this week as Taylor Powell has been given the reins over a healthy Bo Levi Mitchell. Powell played well against a tough Montreal defence in a relief effort last week, throwing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns.
ABBOTT: If Tre Ford plays, this is a slam dunk. If he doesn’t, it’s still pretty certain.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
BALLANTINE: The Ticats benched the guy who always looks for chunk plays against the team that loves to give up chunk plays?
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
DURRELL: If Tre Ford plays, Edmonton wins.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
FILOSO: Look out, the Elks are going streaking!
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
GASSON: Edmonton is improved but still prone to Elks-ing. Powell is the steady force Hamilton needs.
Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.
GRANT: The Elks are playing good football right now and Hamilton isn’t.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HERRERA-VERGARA: The Elks have momentum. I don’t see Taylor Powell stopping that.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
HODGE: If Tre Ford plays, I’m changing my pick. For now, the Ticats bounce back.
Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.
HOSKINS: Three straight? Why not.
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.
KLEIN: QB wasn’t the biggest issue with Hamilton anyway, so a change there doesn’t make much of a difference. Both teams are equally “meh.”
Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Hamilton.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Edmonton 8, Hamilton 2.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Edmonton 7, Hamilton 3.
Sunday, Aug. 18: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at B.C. Lions — 7:00 p.m. EDT
The season series between these West Division foes is up for grabs this week, which would have been exciting on its own. When you add in Kenny Lawler’s return for Winnipeg and Nathan Rourke likely starting for the Lions, you suddenly have the game of the year. It’s been almost two calendar years since we saw Rourke in the CFL but he was virtually unstoppable in 2022 before suffering a Lisfranc injury, winning the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian award. If you have plans on Sunday, cancel them now. This is a must-watch matchup.
ABBOTT: Rourke may show rust but his return will electrify the Lions.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
BALLANTINE: Nathan Rourke shows exactly why all those teams down south should have kept him.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
DURRELL: Nathan Rourke will provide a big emotional boost but I still have my concerns over him playing on such short notice.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
FILOSO: Rourke makes everything right in Leoland.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
GASSON: I can’t see the Lions losing four straight.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
GRANT: Rourke is a huge addition but Adams was playing at an M.O.P. level and got trounced by this same Winnipeg team. B.C. will return to form, but not this week.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
HERRERA-VERGARA: B.C. will have a boost from Nathan Rourke’s arrival but I don’t think it’s gonna be enough to beat Winnipeg.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
HODGE: Winnipeg is improving but Nathan Rourke is Nathan Rourke.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
HOSKINS: B.C.’s not quite ready to bounce back yet and the Bombers are heating up.
Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.
KLEIN: It’s wild to me that Rourke is playing but, even if he;s only 75 percent up to speed, that still makes him better than most.
Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.
TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: B.C. 6, Winnipeg 4.
TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: B.C. 6, Winnipeg 4.
Records to date (straight-up)
FILOSO — 26-13-1
ABBOTT — 25-14-1
GASSON — 25-14-1
GRANT — 25-14-1
HERRERA-VERGARA — 25-14-1
DURRELL — 22-17-1
HODGE — 22-17-1
KLEIN — 22-17-1
HOSKINS — 21-18-1
BALLANTINE — 20-19-1
Records to date (against the spread)
FILOSO — 24-16
GRANT — 24-16
GASSON — 22-18
DURRELL — 21-19
HODGE — 21-19
HERRERA-VERGARA — 20-20
KLEIN — 18-22
HOSKINS — 17-23
BALLANTINE — 16-24
ABBOTT — 14-26
