3DownNation CFL picks straight-up & against the spread: East & West Final

3DownNation

There are only two games left to be played before the 113th Grey Cup in Calgary, so it’s time to analyze who will win the East and West Finals.

Our ten contributors made picks straight-up and against the spread throughout the regular season and will continue to do so until the Grey Cup. Enjoy.

Please note that contributors were asked to make their picks based on BET99’s point spread as of 10:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 5.

Saturday, November 7: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal Alouettes (-8.5) at 3:00 p.m. ET

It was a bloodbath when these two teams met in October, as Montreal won 37-10 at home. Winnipeg managed only six first downs and less than 20 minutes of time of possession in the loss, while Tyson Philpot shredded the secondary, recording 11 receptions for 207 yards. However, the Blue Bombers won this same head-to-head matchup in August, when the team generated 32 first downs and went five-of-seven in the red zone to win 44-28. Winnipeg’s starting quarterback remains unclear, as Zach Collaros has been listed as a game-time decision. Meanwhile, the Alouettes could get a boost from the returns of left tackle Nick Callender and kicker Jose Maltos Diaz.

ABBOTT: I’m three games behind with three games to play. That leaves me banking on a big return from Trey Vaval to help Winnipeg pull off the upset of the decade.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

BALLANTINE: I was the only one to pick the Bombers last week against Toronto. I won’t be the only one picking them to lose this week.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

BORDIGNON: The Alouettes are on a mission to get to Cowtown next week. It feels like destiny.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

FILOSO: It doesn’t matter who’s under centre for Winnipeg; I’m still rolling with the Alouettes.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

GASSON: Winnipeg might have an early advantage after the Alouettes effectively took three byes before this game, but they’ll eventually get it going and be too much for the Bombers.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Bombers might surprise the Alouettes in the first quarter, but eventually, Montreal should run away with this one.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

HODGE: This will be closer than last month’s bloodbath, but the Alouettes are just on another level right now.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

HOSKINS: Winnipeg got the big underdog win last week. They won’t this week against a very good Montreal team.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

KLEIN: Winnipeg got here because of what Toronto couldn’t do. Montreal won’t have those same problems.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.

McINNIS: People will remember what they saw last week from Winnipeg, but the only thing important to me is this number being too big. Will too much rest mean rust? Winnipeg’s defence keeps it close.

Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 9, Winnipeg 1.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 7, Winnipeg 3.

Saturday, November 7: B.C. Lions at Edmonton Elks (+1.5) at 6:30 p.m. ET

The Leos are coming off an impressive come-from-behind win over Saskatchewan in the West Semi-Final, though they are still awfully banged up defensively, with no Levi Bell, Nathan Cherry, David Gusta, or Parker McKenna. The team finished No. 1 in the CFL in rushing yards allowed during the regular season, but nobody rushed for more yards than the Edmonton Elks, who are very healthy after resting several key starters in Week 21, and then enjoying a bye last week. Neither of these teams has qualified for the Grey Cup in over a decade, and there could be as many as 40,000 in attendance at Commonwealth Stadium to witness one get over the hump.

ABBOTT: B.C. has the talent to beat Edmonton, but they can’t do it with their hands tied behind their backs by subpar special teams.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

BALLANTINE: I have long spoken about Mark Kilam and his coaching abilities. He will have the Elks frothing at the mouth to beat the Lions, and the crowd will be unlike anything seen in Edmonton for a decade.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

BORDIGNON: B.C. was my preseason pick, so I’d be foolish to go against them now.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

FILOSO: While I think Rourke and the Lions put up a hell of a fight, ultimately 35,000+ rowdy fans prove to be the difference.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

GASSON: The Leos have been the best team in the West Division for some time. The narrative around Nathan Rourke and the outdoors in November is overblown when he easily could have won last year.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Elks have done a tremendous job turning the ship around this season, but I still believe this the Lions’ time.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

HODGE: B.C. vs. Montreal was my preseason pick for the Grey Cup, so I’m not switching now.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

HOSKINS: Home-field advantage looks to actually be an advantage with the crowd expected. The Elks have proved the doubters wrong all season, and they will find a way again.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

KLEIN: This has been an incredible season for Edmonton, but the Lions just feel like they are on another level right now.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

McINNIS: The opening line told us all we needed to know. Edmonton took a huge step this year, but the ride ends on Saturday. The Lions shut down Justin Rankin and move on to the Grey Cup.

Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: B.C. 6, Edmonton 4.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: B.C. 6, Edmonton 4.

2026 records (straight-up)

HODGE — 61-22
ABBOTT — 58-25
HERRERA-VERGARA — 58-25
GASSON — 51-32
BORDIGNON — 49-34
FILOSO — 48-35
HOSKINS — 48-35
KLEIN — 47-36
BALLANTINE — 45-38
McINNIS* — 35-18

2026 records (against the spread)

HODGE — 45-38
GASSON — 45-38
HERRERA-VERGARA — 45-38
ABBOTT — 44-39
BORDIGNON — 40-43
KLEIN — 38-45
BALLANTINE — 38-45
HOSKINS — 35-48
FILOSO — 35-48
McINNIS* — 27-26