Friday, July 18
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-3) at B.C. Lions (1-2) (B.C. -8.5)
Both teams have proven a disappointment for their respective fans since the start of the 2008 season.
Last week, the Lions crushed the Blue Bombers 42-24 in Winnipeg and QB Jarious Jackson finally rose for the occasion, completing 19 of 24 passes for 340 yards and five touchdowns. Geroy Simon added two touchdowns and gained 192 yards receiving.
In Vancouver, the Blue Bombers will be facing the Lions without center Dominic Picard, who still nurses an injury to the ankle, DL Jon Oosterhuis and left guard Matt Sheridan. Valuable WR Milt Stegall is also once again doubtful to play because of a knee injury.
In last week?s loss, Kevin Glenn only completed nine of the 17 passes he attempted for 86 yards. He was intercepted twice. Ryan Dinwiddie was more efficient with 20 passes completed out of 33 attempts with 227 yards and one touchdown.
Rob Murphy, CFL?s two-time top offensive lineman will return to the Lions lineup as will right guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli. Expect another explosive night for Jarious Jackson . The Lions should have no trouble prolonging Winnipeg?s agony as they may very well end up 0-4 when the final whistle is blown.
Pick: B.C. -8 1/2
Saturday, July 19
Montreal Alouettes (2-1) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-0) (Saskatchewan -5 1/2)
Marc Trestman's new playbook can be dazzling offensively but the Stampeders showed last week it can also be neutralized.
The defending champ Riders may not be as powerful as they where last year when led by QB Kerry Joseph, but on the defensive side of the game they are still quite dominant. Montreal will have difficulty moving the chains and putting points on the scoreboard.
Without Marcus Crandell, the Roughriders have seen Darian Durant take over with lots of poise as he completed 23 of 33 pass attempts for 347 yards and one touchdown against Hamilton last week. Wes Cates carried the ball 15 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Against Calgary, the Alouettes relied heavily on Anthony Calvillo's arm. The veteran QB completed 21 passes with 341 yards and touchdown in their loss to Calgary. If the Alouettes can't get Avon Cobourne to run more often with the ball, it could be a very long night for Montreal. Expect the Roughriders to remain undefeated.
Pick: Saskatchewan -5 1/2
Sunday, July 20
Edmonton Eskimos (2-1) at Toronto Argonauts (1-2) (Toronto -3 1/2)
Against all odds, Edmonton won against Toronto last week 47-28, easily covering the 2 1/2-point underdog spread. With a combined 75 points, the game also went way over the posted total.
Ricky Ray completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 213 yards and one touchdown while A.J. Harris ran for two touchdowns in that stunning win. Kerry Joseph was intercepted three times for Toronto and completed only 23 of the 40 passes he attempted for 227 yards and two touchdowns.
Joseph should be the starter once again but the decision to split duties between him and incumbent Michael Bishop was ill-fated. The Argonauts could once again fall to the Eskimos this weekend if only because Danny Maciocia keeps showing he is a much better coach than Toronto's Rich Stubler. Even if the Argonauts manage to pull this one, they probably won't cover the spread.
Pick: Edmonton +3 1/2
