Cnotes 2016 Canadian Football League Picks-Trends-News !

[CNOTES]

CFL
Armadillo's Write-Up


Week 8

Montreal (2-4) @ Edmonton (2-4)– Edmonton lost its last three games, all by 7 or less points; all six of their games this year were decided by 8 or less. Eskimos won last four series games, sweeping Montreal last year, 15-12/40-22. Als lost by 17-18 in last two visits here. Alouettes lost four of last five games, with all four losses by 13+ points; they split two road games, losing 30-17 (+4.5) at Toronto after winning at Winnipeg in season opener. Under is 4-2 in Montreal games, 3-1 in last four Eskimo games.


Winnipeg (3-4) @ Toronto (4-2)– Argonauts won six of last seven series games; Winnipeg lost last three visits here, by 15-17-10 points. Bombers won last two games (scoring 33.5 ppg) after their 1-4 start; under is 4-0-1 in last five Winnipeg games. Bombers won two of three on road, losing at Calgary by 14. Toronto won four of last five games (under 4-1); they’re 4-0 when scoring more than 20 points, 0-2 if they score 20 or less. Over is 8-5 in last thirteen series games.

Calgary (4-1) @ Saskatchewan (1-5)– Roughriders were outscored 76-18 in losing last two games; they lost 35-15 (+10) in Calgary LW, Stampeders had 132 rushing yards in game that was only 16-12 at the half. Calgary won last five series games, scring 31+ points in all five; they won by 7-3 in last couple of trips to Regina. Under is 8-3 in last 11 series games. Stamps scored 37.3 ppg in winning their last three games; they’re 1-1-1 on road, tying Lions in Vancouver, losing in Ottawa.

Hamilton (3-3) @ British Columbia (4-2)– Lions (+5.5) won 28-3 in Hamilton July 6, snapping home series win streak at six; Hamilton lost its last four visits here, by 3-3-7-27 points. Five of last seven in series went over total. TiCats are on road for 4th game in row, with bye mixed in there; they’re 3-1 on road, losing in Winnipeg LW- road team won six of their seven games SU. Lions are home for first time in a month; they’re 1-1 at home. BC scored 39.7 ppg in winning two of last three games.


— Montreal Alouettes @ Edmonton Eskimos (-7, 51)
— Winnipeg Blue Bombers @ Toronto Argonauts (-4, 49.5)
— Calgary Stampeders (-6, 54) @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
— Hamilton Tiger Cats @ British Columbia Lions (-2.5, 54.5)


— Underdogs 18-7 Home 7-20-1 vs spread Over: 10-16-2

 

[CNOTES]

CFL
Short Sheet


Week 8


Thurs - Aug, 11


Montreal at Edmonton, 9:00 ET
Montreal: 3-10 ATS after having lost 2 out of their last 3 games
Edmonton: 5-1 ATS off a road loss


Fri - Aug, 12


Winnipeg at Toronto, 7:30 ET
Winnipeg: 8-2 ATS after scoring 27 points or more in the first half last game
Toronto: 1-6 ATS after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins


Sat - Aug, 13


Calgary at Saskatchewan, 7:00 ET
Calgary: 17-6 ATS after having won 4 out of their last 5 games
Saskatchewan: 6-17 ATS off a division game

Hamilton at British Columbia, 10:00 ET
Hamilton: 9-2 ATS in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 52
British Columbia: 1-5 ATS as a home favorite of 3 points or less

 

[CNOTES]

PREVIEW


ALS, ESKS KICK OFF WEEK 8 ON THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL


EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos and Montreal Alouettes need to wrap up and stop the bleeding.


Mired in their worst skid since the tail-end of a forgettable 2013 season, the Esks return home to Commonwealth Stadium this week for a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Montreal Alouettes, a team that, like the Esks, has struggled in the first third of 2016.


Both teams are coming off Week-7 losses and find themselves languishing at or near the bottom of their respective division, and both will view Thursday as a critical opportunity to get back in the win column.


Times are tough in Montreal.


Things were looking up for Jim Popp’s Alouettes team after a Week 6 blowout win against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but any morale gained in Montreal’s 41-3 win on July 29 was undone in a 38-18 loss to BC last week.


This week’s challenge for Montreal on the road will be shutting down league-leading quarterback Mike Reilly and the out-of-sorts Edmonton Eskimos.


“They’re an explosive offence, there’s no question about it,” Als defensive coordinator Noel Thrope told MontrealAlouettes.com. “They’ve got a very good quarterback who will stand in the pocket and deliver strikes, there’s some continuity with their offence and offensive line — they’re distributing the ball well.”


Montreal’s defence had been amongst the league’s best prior to last week’s shellacking at the hands of the Lions, and will be looking to return to form against an Eskimos team that managed just 304 yards of offence in Ottawa last week.


Defensive success is dependent on Montreal’s elite linebacker core, led by the likes of Bear Woods’ team-high 43 tackles and Chip Cox’s 31 tackles.


Billy Parker draws out of the lineup at halfback for the Als’ defence, as he’ll be replaced by 23-year-old Greg Henderson.


Outside of the Als’ 41-point explosion in Week 6, offence has been hard to come by for offensive coordinator Anthony Calvillo’s unit.


“Edmonton’s got a very stout defence, and it starts with their front seven — that really sets the tone for (their) defence,” previewed Calvillo. “That’s the challenge for us, if we can manage that (front seven), we’ll have success.”


Kevin Glenn will once again start at quarterback for Montreal after a middling 231-yard performance against BC in Week 7.


Montreal special teams coordinator Kavis Reed understands the threat Edmonton poses.


“They’re exceptionally well-coached, they’re a big team, (and) they have the best average in terms of return-yards-against,” said Reed, whose return man of choice, Stefan Logan, is averaging 12.3 per-punt-return in 2016. “They had a returner (Kenzel Doe) who did a good job against Ottawa and put them in a position to win.”


The former Eskimos head coach also understands the stakes of the Week 8 matchup.


“It’s two hungry squads that want to win, two needy squads right now.”


Things have looked dire in recent weeks on the Edmonton side of the football, but Head Coach Jason Maas believes his team is capable of pulling itself out of its own rut.


“The focus is there and the time to put up or shut up is here,” Maas told Esks.com. “I thought our guys responded well and I’m looking forward to Thursday night.”


Maas credited his team’s work ethic while candidly admitting its execution is lacking.


“Effort’s not ever a question, this group’s never going to not give you 100 per cent,” said the former Ottawa offensive coordinator. “It’s execution right now — we’re failing, that’s the bottom line.”


Edmonton’s defence will be looking to build on what was, for the most part, a solid performance in nation’s capital in Week 7.


“Montreal is a team you can never take too lightly,” said Eskimos cornerback Pat Watkins. “They have the weapons and Kevin Glenn has been to the Cup three times — he’s been in the league so long he can recognize a lot of coverages.”


Watkins and the rest of the Edmonton defence understand the unique challenge facing a veteran pivot can present.


“There’s a lot of things you have to mix up when you’re playing a veteran quarterback,” said the former Florida State Seminole. “We know we’re going to have our hands full.”


Esks wideout Derel Walker will be hoping for a more productive outing on Thursday night against the Als after being limited to just three receptions and 26 yards — both season-lows — against Ottawa last week.


Recently-signed defensive back Brandyn Thompson will not dress for the Eskimos, while national receiver Devon Bailey draws into the lineup for the first time in 2016.

By the Numbers


37 – Average points given up by the Eskimos in their first four home games.


40 – League-worst field-goal percentage for Montreal kicker Boris Bede, who will be replaced in the lineup by Anthony Fera.


99.9 – Kevin Glenn’s QB-efficiency rating.


1,350 – Combined receiving yards for Esks receivers Adarius Bowman (682) and Derel Walker (668), second- and third-most in the league respectively. Both are on pace to eclipse 2,000 receiving yards.

The Skinny


Both teams need a win on Thursday night in a big way.


Having been leapfrogged by the resurgent Bombers in the West Division standings last week, and owning an ugly 1-3 record in front of their own fans, the Esks will be feeling pressure to perform back at home.


If Montreal wants any chance of climbing back into the East Division’s playoff picture, it needs to find some offensive consistency — fast.


The Esks are favoured by all CFL.ca writers and nearly 90 per cent of the general public, and typically numbers that large don’t lie. Despite their three-game losing streak, the Esks still appear to be in a better position to win Thursday’s football game than the Als.

 

[CNOTES]

CFL BEST BETS RECORD:


ATS Picks 11-17-0 39.29% -3850


O/U Picks 14-12-2 53.85% +400



THURSDAY, AUGUST 11


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


MTL at EDM 09:00 PM


MTL +6.5


U 51.5

 

[CNOTES]

Thursday, August 11*


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Thursday's CFL betting preview and odds: Alouettes at Eskimos *
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Mike Reilly threw for 255 yards in the loss to Ottawa but saw his streak of consecutive 300-yard passing games snapped at eight, which was one shy of matching the CFL record.


*Montreal Alouettes at Edmonton Eskimos (-7, 51.5)*


The Edmonton Eskimos look to snap a three-game losing skid when they host the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday. The Eskimos dropped a tight 23-20 decision to the Ottawa Redblacks to fall two games under .500 for the first time since 2013, and hope to turn their fortunes around by beating the Alouettes for the fifth consecutive time.


Edmonton's much-maligned defense held its second straight opponent under 24 points but it was the No. 2-ranked passing offense that failed deliver as the Eskimos failed to score an offensive touchdown in a game for the first time since Sept. 7, 2015. Montreal is languishing in the East Division cellar following a disappointing 38-18 home defeat to the BC Lions. The Alouettes, who are averaging a CFL-low 19.7 points per game, have been held to under 20 points four times in their last five contests and hope to find an offensive spark in order to notch their first win over the Eskimos since Oct. 5, 2013. "I've been on losing teams that have made a lot of changes," Montreal wide receiver Nik Lewis told reporters. "I like this team but if we want to stay together we've got to win games."
*
TV:* 9 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN2, RDS
*
LINE HISTORY:* The Eskimos opened as 7.5-point favorites but the line was quickly dropped to the key number of -7 on Monday evening. The total opened at 51.5 and hasn't moved as of the publication time of this preview. Check out the complete line history here.
*
ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS, 2-4 O/U):* Boris Bede missed his ninth field goal of the season in the loss to BC, forcing the Alouettes' top brass to bring in three kickers to audition for the job. "Odds are we'll make some kind of a change," Montreal head coach Jim Popp told reporters. "We'll try something different at this stage with him and try to help him overcome his problems." Duron Carter continues to burn opposing defensive backs as he caught seven passes for 115 yards against the Lions and has 21 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns in his last three games.
*
ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS, 3-3 O/U):* Mike Reilly threw for 255 yards in the loss to Ottawa but saw his streak of consecutive 300-yard passing games snapped at eight, which was one shy of matching the CFL record. Reilly leads the CFL in passing yards (2,181) and is second in touchdowns (11), but failed to throw a TD pass for the first time in 12 games. Edmonton added some depth to its linebacker corps as it acquired Alex Ogbongbemiga via a trade with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday.
*
TRENDS:*


* Alouettes are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games.
* Eskimos are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games.
* Under is 13-4 in Alouettes last 17 vs. a team with a losing record.
* Over is 5-1 in Eskimos last 6 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings in Edmonton.
*
CONSENSUS:* Early consensus action is on the side of the road underdog Alouettes at a rate of 58 percent. The early wagers on the total are on the Over at 58 percent.
*
EXTRA POINTS:*


* Edmonton has scored 33 or more points in three of the last four meetings with Montreal.
* Eskimos WR Adarius Bowman leads the CFL with 47 receptions.
* Bede has made 7-of-16 field goals after going 36-for-40 in 2015.

 

[CNOTES]

RECAP


REILLY, ESKS OUTLAST ALOUETTES TO WIN DEFENSIVE DUEL

EDMONTON — It was far more difficult than it needed to be, but the Edmonton Eskimos got the job done on Thursday night to earn a 23-12 victory over the Montreal Alouettes at Commonwealth Stadium.


Mike Reilly scored the game’s only offensive touchdown on a quarterback sneak while the Green and Gold dominated time of possession, helping the Eskimos pick up their second home win of 2016 to end a three-game losing streak.






Meanwhile, two late interceptions, including one for a touchdown by linebacker Deon Lacey, validated a hard-fought effort for the defending Grey Cup Champions with two much-needed points in the standings.


The Alouettes failed to find the end zone, scoring their 12 points on a 4-of-5 effort from newcomer Anthony Fera on field goals. Fera replaced Boris Bede.


The Eskimos stringed together their 23 points on two field goals, two safeties, a quarterback sneak on third down and an interception returned for a touchdown — and did so despite losing three fumbles throughout the contest.


Reilly finished with 300 yards on 29-of-45 passing while Derel Walker had a game-high 132 receiving yards on 10 catches. Adarius Bowman added 107 yards on nine catches as the league’s top receiving duo once again proved unstoppable.


B.J. Cunningham led the Alouettes with 98 yards on five catches, while Kevin Glenn struggled, throwing for 271 yards on 22 of 39 passing (56.4 per cent) and two late fourth quarter interceptions.


Duron Carter was held to just three catches for 28 yards despite a team-high 10 targets, ending a run of three consecutive games with at least 100 receiving yards.


In a battle of two teams desperate for a victory, the Eskimo offence moved fast and furious out of the gate, but Walker’s third catch on the opening drive ended on a turnover at the goal line when he had the ball knocked loose and deflected out of bounds by Alouettes linebacker Chip Cox.


A quick two-and-out forced the Alouettes to concede a safety, however, while the Esks’ offence didn’t take long to kick it back into high gear.


A 16-yard pass interference penalty against first-time starter Greg Henderson followed by an 18-yard run by John White set the Eskimos up with a first and goal from the 10. Then, after a second-down catch by Bowman moved the offence to the one, Reilly secured a bobbled snap and leveraged his way under the pile for the game’s opening touchdown.


Sean Whyte missed the extra point but that did little to curve the Eskimos’ first-quarter dominance. The Esks controlled the ball for more than 12 of the opening 15 minutes, while a late 34-yard catch over the middle by Bowman set up a Whyte field goal to make it 11-0.


After his offence ran only five plays in the first quarter, Cunningham’s 42-yard catch set up Fera’s first field goal as an Alouette, cutting the deficit to 11-3.


The defences settled in after that and Fera’s second kick through the uprights made it 11-6. Fera was given a chance to further cut into the deficit on the last play of the half, but his third attempt of the game went wide.


Nonetheless, a 2-for-3 effort for the newcomer and a strong performance by the Als’ defence kept Montreal down five, a manageable deficit heading into the half.


Both offences struggled to find a rhythm in the third, while the Alouettes further closed the gap with Fera’s third field goal of the contest.


The Eskimos had a chance to add some breathing room, driving down the field with the help of Bowman and again closing in on the goal line. But for the second time in the game, a fumble, this time by the running back White, ended up in the hands of the Alouettes at the one.


Glenn took two shots downfield to Carter who had a chance on both, but back to back incompletions forced the Alouettes to concede their second safety of the night, restoring the Eskimos’ lead to four points – 13-9.


Fera’s fourth field goal of the night on five tries made it a 13-12 Edmonton lead early in the fourth as the Als continued to hang around despite being nearly doubled in time of possession.


With just under four minutes left on the clock and the Esks up by a point, Reilly’s second-down pass to Bowman – while also putting the veteran receiver over 100 yards on the evening — set up a 31-yard catch-and-run by Walker down to the Montreal 20.


The result was Whyte’s second field goal of the night, extending the Eskimos’ lead to 16-12 just inside the 3:00 warning.


Down four and still looking for touchdown No. 1, the Alouettes weren’t about to give up. Glenn connected twice with Cunningham, while on the second reception Lacey was hit with a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty for the Esks.


Brandon Rutley kept the drive moving with a second-down conversion, which Carter followed up with some shiftiness and dodged tackles down to the Edmonton 30.


It looked like the Eskimos had put the game away instantly when J.C. Sherritt picked off Glenn’s pass and had nothing but open field ahead of him — but he was tracked down and lost a hold of the football, only to have it knocked out of bounds by the Alouettes.


With new life, however, Glenn repeated his mistake. The veteran pivot was looking for Carter over the middle on a crossing pattern, only to be intercepted by Lacey. Lacey made no mistake on the Esks’ second interception of the game against Glenn, sealing the deal with the defensive touchdown.


While the game was lost on two late Glenn interceptions, the Als never bounced back from a one-sided first quarter. They ran only five plays in the first quarter on offence compared to the Eskimos’ 25, distributed among possessions of eight, nine and eight plays consecutively throughout the opening 15 minutes.


On top of the Alouettes’ passing game struggles, meanwhile, they couldn’t get much going on the ground either. Rutley struggled to a 3.6-yard rushing average on 12 rushes for 43 yards, although he added 55 yards on six catches.


At the end of the day, the Alouettes mustered only 23:24 with the ball in their possession, compared to 36:36 for Edmonton.


The loss drops Montreal to 2-5 on the season. The Als will look to bounce back in Week 9 with a road matchup with Ottawa, but could be without receiver Carter, whose pending one-game suspension will either be upheld or reversed this week.


Edmonton, on the other hand, moves into a third-place tie with Winnipeg in the West and will look to keep it rolling with a road date against the Toronto Argonauts on Aug. 20.

 

[CNOTES]

CFL
Short Sheet


Week 8


Fri - Aug, 12


Winnipeg at Toronto, 7:30 ET
Winnipeg: 8-2 ATS after scoring 27 points or more in the first half last game
Toronto: 1-6 ATS after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins

 

[CNOTES]

Friday, Aug. 12


Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-4 SU, 3-4 ATS) vs. Toronto Argonauts (4-2 SU, 4-2 ATS)
Point-spread: Toronto -3 ½
Total: 49 ½


Game Overview

Just when you thought the Blue Bombers were one of the worst teams in the CFL, they turn around and shock you with a couple of unexpected wins. Much of the credit for last Wednesday’s upset has to go to the continued high level of play from quarterback Matt Nichols. He ended that game with just 246 yards passing and he tossed two touchdowns as part of a 74.2 completion percentage. This followed a 26-for-33 effort the week before against Edmonton for 304 yards and one touchdown pass.


Toronto is right in the thick of the East Division title race coming off last week’s bye. The Argonauts have won three of their last four games both straight-up and against the spread and they had shown a good balance between the pass and the run with Ricky Ray at quarterback and Brandon Whitaker running the ball. Ray will be sidelined until early September with a knee injury and in his place Logan Kilgore did an adequate job filling the void in a Week 6 win against Ottawa.

Betting Trends


Toronto has won four of its last five games against the Blue Bombers both SU and ATS. The total stayed UNDER in both meetings last season after going OVER in five of the previous six games between the two.


----------------------


Friday, August 12


Winnipeg @ Toronto


Game 303-304
August 12, 2016 @ 7:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
112.742
Toronto
119.345
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 6 1/2
45
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 4
50
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-4); Under


-------------------


Friday, August 12


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WINNIPEG (3 - 4) at TORONTO (4 - 2) - 8/12/2016, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-1 against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-1 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, August 12


7:30 PM
WINNIPEG vs. TORONTO
Winnipeg is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Toronto
Winnipeg is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Toronto is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games at home


--------------------------

Winnipeg (3-4) @ Toronto (4-2)– Argonauts won six of last seven series games; Winnipeg lost last three visits here, by 15-17-10 points. Bombers won last two games (scoring 33.5 ppg) after their 1-4 start; under is 4-0-1 in last five Winnipeg games. Bombers won two of three on road, losing at Calgary by 14. Toronto won four of last five games (under 4-1); they’re 4-0 when scoring more than 20 points, 0-2 if they score 20 or less. Over is 8-5 in last thirteen series games.


------------------


Fri - Aug, 12


Winnipeg at Toronto, 7:30 ET
Winnipeg: 8-2 ATS after scoring 27 points or more in the first half last game
Toronto: 1-6 ATS after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins

 

[CNOTES]

CFL


Friday, August 12


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday's CFL betting preview and odds: Blue Bombers at Argonauts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Logan Kilgore completed 25-of-42 passes for 322 yards and a touchdown in his first CFL start - a 23-20 win against Ottawa in Week 6.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Toronto Argonauts (-4, 50.0)


The Toronto Argonauts can take sole possession of first place in the East Division when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday. The Argonauts made a big statement by beating the Ottawa Redblacks 23-20 in Logan Kilgore's first CFL start on July 31, and they hope their young quarterback can lead them to their third straight victory and improve to 3-0 against West Division opponents in the process.


Toronto, which is coming off a bye, has given up 20 points or fewer in four of its last five games and looks to put the clamps on a Winnipeg offence that has come to life since backup Matt Nichols was inserted into the starting lineup.The Blue Bombers have won back-to-back games for the first time in over two years following an impressive 37-11 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 7. Winnipeg's offence has thrived with Nichols under centre, averaging 33.5 points in two games without a turnover, and he hopes to lead the Blue Bombers to their first three-game winning streak since 2014. "There's a good feeling but I also believe that the players are keeping it in perspective," Winnipeg head coach Mike O'Shea told reporters. "They're excited about the outcomes of the last two games but realize there is more work to be done."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN3

LINE HISTORY: The Argos opened as 4-point home favorites and the line has been steady since it's release early in the week. The total hit the board at 49.5 and has risen slightly to 50. Check out the complete line history here.

ABOUT THE BLUE BOMBERS (3-4 SU, 3-4 ATS, 1-5-1 O/U): Nichols looked sharp from the get-go even though kickoff was delayed over 2 1/2 hours due to a lightning storm, as he went 23-of-31 for 246 yards and two touchdowns in the win against Hamilton. Offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick suffered an upper-body injury against the Tiger-Cats and will likely be replaced by Manase Foketi, who bounced around the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills in 2014. Wide receivers Weston Dressler (knee), Darvin Adams (arm) and Ryan Smith (lower body) missed practice and are questionable for Friday's game.


ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (4-2 SU, 4-2 ATS, 2-4 O/U): Kilgore completed 25-of-42 passes for 322 yards and a touchdown while A.J. Jefferson recorded two interceptions, including a pick late in the fourth quarter to seal the win against Ottawa. "It feels great to have a full team behind you," Kilgore told reporters. "You know you just have to do your job and you don't have to be superman to win ball games." Toronto added quarterback Dan LeFevour, who played last season with the Montreal Alouettes, to the practice roster on Tuesday to add more depth to the position as Ricky Ray continues to rehab his knee.

TRENDS:


* Blue Bombers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a bye week.
* Argonauts are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a bye week.
* Under is 4-0 in Blue Bombers last 4 games in August.
* Over is 7-0 in Argonauts last 7 games following a bye week.
* Blue Bombers are 1-5-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

CONSENSUS: Early consensus action is on the side of the home favorite Argos at a rate of 60 percent. The early wagers on the total are on the Under at 54 percent.

EXTRA POINTS:


* Toronto has won six of the last seven meetings with Winnipeg.
* Blue Bombers RB Andrew Harris is second in the CFL with 382 rushing yards.
* Argonauts WR Kenny Shaw has caught 15 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games.

 

[CNOTES]

PREVIEW


BOMBERS, ARGOS LOOK TO STAY HOT ON FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL


TORONTO — The stakes are high for both the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers entering their Week 8 matchup on Friday night at BMO Field.


Coming off a bye week, the Argos (4-2) have one eye on first place in the East Division, while the Bombers (3-4) have won two in a row on the strength of Matt Nichols’ arm and can move back to .500 for the first time in 2016.


Winnipeg’s on a roll.


Since turning the reins over to quarterback Matt Nichols in Week 6, Mike O’Shea’s football team has won two games and posted 30 and 37 points — its two highest marks through seven games.


“He’s played great for us, he’s scored a lot of points and taken care of the football,” said O’Shea of his new starting pivot to BlueBombers.com. “He’s a big reason (for our success), that’s for sure; we’ve gotten good play out of the rest of the team, out of guys that have been waiting patiently to play football.”


Nichols has been nothing short of superb in his two starts, completing 49 of 64 passes for 550 yards and a trio of touchdowns.


“He’s winning us football games,” said O’Shea when asked about Nichols’s starter status. “Quarterbacks are in charge of winning games, and Matt’s winning games right now.”


On the defensive side of the football, the Bombers will have to face a star-studded Argos offence that’s built to protect rookie quarterback Logan Kilgore.


“They’ve got some weapons on offence — (Brandon) Whitaker is playing real well this year,” said Bombers linebacker Ian Wild, the league’s top tackler (54). “Their offence is tough because they have a lot of misdirection (and) good receivers — we have a lot to worry about.”


Wild, one of the league’s most consistent defensive performers, expects Toronto to ease Kilgore into the ballgame in much the same fashion it did two weeks ago against Ottawa.


“With Toronto’s system, they (will) try to make him play just like Ricky (Ray) plays,” said Wild. “A lot of easy passes or simple route concepts and stuff like that — they’re trying to establish the run game a bit to help him out, so maybe they’ll try to do that this week.”


The ultimate challenge for O’Shea’s group on Friday night will be trying to win all three phases of the game.


“They’ve been riddled with injuries too; they’re 4-2, and they seem to play team football,” said Coach O’Shea. “Each phase is contributing to their success; each phase is keeping them in games so they have an opportunity to win late.”


The run game, while down across the league in 2016, remains an important piece of Winnipeg’s offence with dual-threat national running back Andrew Harris. In their three wins, the Bombers have averaged 4.1 yards per carry on first down; in their four losses, just 3.3.


That same statistic is a surprisingly telling one for the Argos, too — especially in the absence of Ricky Ray. In the Argos’ four wins in 2016, they’ve averaged 6.3 on the ground on first down; in their two defeats, just 3.9.


“We’ve had our moments where we haven’t played well, but the last few weeks we have,” Head Coach Scott Milanovich told Argonauts.ca. “I felt like our defence really stepped up early (in Ottawa) and controlled the game — it’s funny, when you have a new QB, everybody seems to pick up the intensity.”


After some early-game jitters, though, that new quarterback — MTSU product Logan Kilgore — settled in against the REDBLACKS, finishing the day with over 300 passing yards and, most importantly, helping his team pick up a win.


“It was a team win and it feels great to have a full team behind you,” said Kilgore, who will make his second start this week against the Bombers. “You know that you don’t have to be Superman to win games.”


The Argos are 7-1 coming off the bye since 2012 and Toronto’s players are raring to get back on their home turf, where they’ve struggled to a 1-2 record thus far in 2016.


“Take it to 5-2, that’s the goal,” said defensive back Thomas Gordon. “(We’ve) been waiting like cabin fever, putting in work in the film room and competing in practice. I’m happy to be back out there, flying around with my defence, making plays.”


Big-time plays are something Toronto will need plenty of on Friday; the Argos sit second in the CFL in takeaways (15) and turnover ratio (plus six), and will need to create penetration on Matt Nichols to disrupt the Bombers’ resurgent passing game.


“In the Montreal (and) Ottawa games, it was more like I want to see our team: Contributing in all three phases,” said Coach Milanovich. “I was proud of the way they pulled together and got a team win, (and) it was nice to be able to spend a couple days with the family and be sitting on the win.”

By the Numbers


0 – First-quarter points allowed by Winnipeg in its last two games.


3 – 50-plus-yard field goals made by Toronto’s Lirim Hajrullahu, the most in the league.


140 – Points allowed by Toronto, the second-fewest in the CFL.


664 – All-purpose yards for Winnipeg RB Andrew Harris.

The Skinny


The critical stat to make a note of prior to any Bombers game is this: Since 2010, Winnipeg’s posted a plus-75 turnover ratio in its 38 wins, in stark contrast to a minus-122 ratio in 77 losses.


It’s no secret. To beat Winnipeg, you have to win the turnover battle.


For Winnipeg to find a third-straight win and claw back to .500, the Bombers will have to emulate what the previous teams to win at BMO — Hamilton (Week 1) and Ottawa (Week 4) — did successfully: Play defence.


The Argos managed just 296 and 300 yards respectively in those two home losses.


Whichever defence comes up with key stops and big plays more consistently will earn its team the W.

 

[CNOTES]

CFL BEST BETS:


ATS Picks 11-18-0 37.93% -4400


O/U Picks 15-12-2 55.56% +900


FRIDAY, AUGUST 12


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


WPG at TOR 07:30 PM


WPG +4.0


O 50.5

 

[powerz]

GL cnotes!

 

[CNOTES]

RECAP


FOGG, BOMBERS DOCK ARGOS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT WIN


TORONTO — Clarence Denmark was unstoppable, while the Bombers picked off Logan Kilgore five times to earn a 34-17 win over the Argos on Friday night at Toronto’s BMO Field.


First-year defensive back Kevin Fogg had two interceptions and a fumble recovery in yet another dominant performance for the Bomber defence, helping the Bombers win their third in a row and get back to .500.


Maurice Leggett also had two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, as the Blue and Gold expanded on a league-leading 21 turnovers forced heading into Week 8 play.


Matt Nichols led the way for the Bombers’ offence with 246 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns on 17-of-28 passing, while he leaned heavily on Denmark, who turned in a career-best performance with seven receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns in just his second game back with Winnipeg.


All in all it was a forgettable evening for the Argos, plagued by non-stop turnovers while allowing Winnipeg to score 31 unanswered points in response to a 10-3 Toronto first-quarter lead.


Lirim Hajrullahu and Justin Medlock exchanged first-quarter field goals, while the Argos jumped out to a sudden lead when Kilgore found the diminutive Diontae Spencer wide open in behind the Bombers’ secondary for a 62-yard touchdown.


It took a couple of misfires in the opening frame, but the long touchdown proved that Kilgore and Spencer were building chemistry in No. 85’s first start of the season back from injury – that being Spencer’s fifth target and third catch of the opening 15 minutes.


Coming into the game looking to march to 4-0 coming off the bye over the last two seasons, the Argos had a 10-3 lead early on in front of their fans at BMO Field – but the Bombers, also picking up steam, weren’t going to make it easy for the Double Blue.


Argos defensive back Thomas Gordon intercepted Nichols’ pass to set the Boatmen up in good field position, but Kilgore’s pass to Shaw in double coverage was intercepted by Fogg for the defensive back and kick returner’s second pick of the season.


That set up a 45-yard field goal from Medlock, the first-year Bomber’s second of the game, but it was just the start of strong response by Mike O’Shea’s Bombers to the early first-half deficit.






Just like they had done all season, the Bombers fed off big plays by their 12 men on defence, this time linebacker Khalil Bass intercepting Kilgore for the Argo pivot’s second interception of the game and fifth of the season.


On the very next play, Nichols found a wide open Denmark behind coverage, and the veteran – back for his second game with the Bombers – ran untouched for a 29-yard touchdown to give the Bombers their first lead, 13-10 midway through the second quarter.


Things held up that way until halftime, while early in the third quarter the turnover bug continued to bite the Argos.


It started when Kenny Shaw had first down yardage but lost a handle of the football when stretching for extra yardage. The Argo defence atoned, but not long later, Kilgore’s deep pass to Spencer was juggled and up for grabs for both players. Coming down with it in tight coverage was rookie defensive back Fogg, giving Winnipeg the ball at its own 18.


Another big play by the Bombers’ secondary marked the third turnover of the game by Fogg, including two interceptions and a fumble.


Working in conjunction with the league’s top playmaking defence through the first seven weeks of the CFL season, Nichols and the Bomber offence made the Argos pay for their most recent blunder.


A 35-yard completion from Nichols to Denmark highlighted an otherwise very methodical drive by Paul LaPolice’s unit, one that ended with a four-yard touchdown run by Andrew Harris with 5:00 remaining in the third quarter to give the Bombers a 20-10 lead.


Harris’ third touchdown run of the season quieted a BMO Field crowd looking for something to cheer about, capping off an 11-play, 92-yard drive that took 5:05 off the clock – all made possible by a perfect 6-for-6 run by Nichols.


Harris finished with 123 yards rushing on 19 carries.


At risk of fading into the hot and humid Toronto night, Kilgore and the Argos needed a response fast and almost had it when the first-time starter scrambled and almost connected with Wallace Miles in behind coverage for what would have been a sure touchdown.


But after the Boatmen failed to take advantage, Nichols found a wide open Denmark streaking down the seam for a 79-yard touchdown connection, extending the Bombers’ lead to 27-10 early in the fourth quarter.


With the Argos looking to mount a late rally with just over six minutes remaining, Kilgore’s second career start turned from bad to worse. His pass over the middle was intercepted by Maurice Leggett and returned 98 yards for the touchdown, extending the Bombers’ lead to 34-10.


The scoring play was reviewed but upheld, while the pick marked Leggett’s third interception of the season and second returned for a touchdown.


Leggett added his second interception of the game and Kilgore’s fifth late in the fourth. The last time Winnipeg recorded five interceptions in a game was Oct. 5, 2001 against the Edmonton Eskimos.


The Boatmen broke a run of 31 straight Winnipeg points when Cody Fajardo connected with rookie receiver Levi Noel with a 34-yard touchdown pass at 2:02 of the first quarter.


Kilgore finished his night 26-of-44 for 303 yards, a touchdown and five interceptions while Spencer led the way for the Boatmen with 11 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown.


With the win, the Bombers get back to .500 and will take that to the bye week as Nichols moves to 3-0 as a starter this season.


The Argos will look to redeem their Friday night struggles next Saturday in a meeting against the Eskimos on Aug. 20.

 

[CNOTES]

Saturday, Aug. 13


Calgary Stampeders (4-1-1 SU, 4-2 ATS) vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-5 SU, 2-4 ATS)
Point-spread: Calgary -5 ½
Total: 54


Game Overview


The Stampeders are probably the most balanced team in the CFL heading into Week 8 with an offense that is averaging 32 points a game complementing a defense that has allowed an average of 23.7 points to their opponents. In the first game against Saskatchewan, Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell put the ball up 37 times and he completed 25 passes for 312 yards and a score. Jerome Messam gained another 109 yards and scored a touchdown on 17 rushing attempts.


Saskatchewan remained competitive in Game 1 of this home-and-home series into the fourth quarter before giving up 16 unanswered points while getting shutout in the final 15 minutes of play. Darian Durant got the start at quarterback after missing some time with an ankle injury and he was somewhat effective with 247 yards passing and one touchdown throw. The Roughriders’ ground game only accounted for 55 total yards on 11 rushing attempts.

Betting Trends


With last week’s win in the front-end of this home-and-home series, Calgary has won the last five meetings SU while going 4-1 ATS. The total stayed UNDER 55 ½ points in that game after it had gone OVER in the previous four meetings.


-------------------


Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS) vs. British Columbia Lions (4-2 SU, 5-1 ATS) Point-spread: BC -3 Total: 55 ½


Game Overview


The Tiger-Cats have now lost three games this season closing as favorites and the total has stayed UNDER in four of their first six games overall. The 11 points scored against Winnipeg was the first time they failed to score at least 24 points over their past four contests and their defense has been torched for a total 68 points in the last two games. Hamilton trailed the Blue Bombers 34-0 at the half as a result of four sloppy turnovers. The good news is that quarterback Zach Collaros has been upgraded to probable for this week’s game, but there is no word on whether he will start.


BC comes into this interdivision tilt just a half game in back of Calgary in the West Division race. The Lions have now scored at least 38 points in each of their last three games and on the year they are putting up an average of 30.2 points a game. Last week against Montreal, Jonathon Jennings completed an amazing 84.4 percent of his 32 passing attempts for 331 yards and a score. He was able to complete at least two passes to seven different players.

Betting Trends


The Lions won the first meeting this season 28-3 on July 1 as 5 ½-point road underdogs. It was the first time the road team won in the last seven meetings and the total stayed UNDER in that game after going OVER in five of the previous six games between the two.


------------------------


CFL
Dunkel


Week 8

Saturday, August 13


Calgary @ Saskatchewan


Game 305-306
August 13, 2016 @ 7:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Calgary
118.760
Saskatchewan
105.717
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Calgary
by 13
59
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Calgary
by 5 1/2
55
Dunkel Pick:
Calgary
(-5 1/2); Over


Hamilton @ BC Lions


Game 307-308
August 13, 2016 @ 10:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Hamilton
114.902
BC Lions
113.427
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Hamilton
by 1 1/2
58
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
BC Lions
by 3
54
Dunkel Pick:
Hamilton
(+3); Over


--------------------------


CFL
Long Sheet


Week 8



Saturday, August 13


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALGARY (4 - 1 - 1) at SASKATCHEWAN (1 - 5) - 8/13/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SASKATCHEWAN is 121-89 ATS (+23.1 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 111-82 ATS (+20.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) off a division game over the last 3 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 4-1 against the spread versus SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 5-0 straight up against SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAMILTON (3 - 3) at BRITISH COLUMBIA (4 - 2) - 8/13/2016, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HAMILTON is 54-35 ATS (+15.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 4-1 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-2 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CFL


Week 8

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, August 13


7:00 PM
CALGARY vs. SASKATCHEWAN
Calgary is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Saskatchewan
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 7 games when playing on the road against Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary
Saskatchewan is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary


10:00 PM
HAMILTON vs. BRITISH COLUMBIA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Hamilton's last 7 games on the road
Hamilton is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing British Columbia
British Columbia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Hamilton
British Columbia is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Hamilton


--------------------------


CFL
Armadillo's Write-Up


Week 8


Calgary (4-1) @ Saskatchewan (1-5)– Roughriders were outscored 76-18 in losing last two games; they lost 35-15 (+10) in Calgary LW, Stampeders had 132 rushing yards in game that was only 16-12 at the half. Calgary won last five series games, scring 31+ points in all five; they won by 7-3 in last couple of trips to Regina. Under is 8-3 in last 11 series games. Stamps scored 37.3 ppg in winning their last three games; they’re 1-1-1 on road, tying Lions in Vancouver, losing in Ottawa.

Hamilton (3-3) @ British Columbia (4-2)– Lions (+5.5) won 28-3 in Hamilton July 6, snapping home series win streak at six; Hamilton lost its last four visits here, by 3-3-7-27 points. Five of last seven in series went over total. TiCats are on road for 4th game in row, with bye mixed in there; they’re 3-1 on road, losing in Winnipeg LW- road team won six of their seven games SU. Lions are home for first time in a month; they’re 1-1 at home. BC scored 39.7 ppg in winning two of last three games.


--------------------------------------


CFL
Short Sheet


Week 8


Sat - Aug, 13


Calgary at Saskatchewan, 7:00 ET
Calgary: 17-6 ATS after having won 4 out of their last 5 games
Saskatchewan: 6-17 ATS off a division game

Hamilton at British Columbia, 10:00 ET
Hamilton: 9-2 ATS in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 52
British Columbia: 1-5 ATS as a home favorite of 3 points or less

 

[CNOTES]

CFL


Saturday, August 13




Another road dog won straight up in the CFL last night guys!
Now 16-5 ATS (76.2%) this season!
Road teams 22-8 ATS

 

[CNOTES]

PREVIEW


STAMPS, RIDERS LOOK TO SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES ON THE FIELD


REGINA — On Saturday night, the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders will set aside all of the distractions and try to win a football game.


It’s a novel concept for these West Division rivals after a hectic week of off-the-field drama, starting with Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell calling out the Riders and culminating in fines and salary cap deductions handed down by the league.


With all of that in the past, all that matters in this Week 8 matchup at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium is winning a football game — and rest assured, whether it’s for the first-place Stampeders or the last-place Riders, it matters.


“I don’t think we necessarily are looking at this as a rivalry game,” Riders quarterback Darian Durant told Riderville.com. “It’s just a game that we have to win. It’s the first game of the second third of the season.”


If Durant and the Riders are looking at Saturday night as a chance to start fresh and hit the reset button, it’s because they have to.


So far Chris Jones’ team has been the talk of the league but for all the wrong reasons; if the Riders are going to dig out of an early hole in the highly-competitive West they’ll have to start soon.


After getting on the board with win No. 1 against an elite Ottawa team, the Riders failed their next two tests in getting outscored by a combined 76-18. Yet in a measuring stick matchup with the Stampeders in Week 7, it wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Stampeders and Riders were truly separated.


The Stamps pitched a 16-0 fourth-quarter shutout to go on and win 35-15 at McMahon Stadium, the opening of a home-and-home set.


“The last test we didn’t pass the test in the fourth quarter,” conceded Jones. “We played well for three quarters and then somehow didn’t come out in the fourth quarter and play.”


The Riders came out and took the lead vs. Calgary thanks to a long connection between Durant and Rob Bagg. They kept the contest close through the first 45 minutes, trailing by only four points heading into the fourth quarter.


Touchdowns by Andrew Buckley and Jerome Messam put the game on ice for the Stampeders, those scores adding to an Anthony Parker touchdown and five field goals by Rene Paredes.


After being outgained 154 yards to minus-four in the fourth quarter vs. Calgary, the key theme for the Riders in Week 8 will be finishing, whether it’s at the end of the game or in the red zone.


“Just throughout that game, whenever we would move the ball and get in pretty good scoring range we’d stall for whatever reason,” said Durant. “Our focus just for this week has been making sure we try to get touchdowns when we get down.


“We did a good job of moving the ball for three quarters, had some penalties, different things of that nature that stopped us from scoring. If we can score some touchdowns it puts them in a different spot offensively.”


And in the end, the Riders will have to do just that in order to pick up their second win of the season.


Their seventh-ranked defence (401.8 yards per game) showed improvement and did its job vs. the Stamps, not allowing Mitchell to make too many big plays while keeping the score within five. But the defence could only hold up so long, while Durant and the Rider offence mustered only one touchdown and, in the second half, a single field goal.


John Chiles is expected to return for the Riders after missing time due to injury, while recently-signed national quarterback Brandon Bridge will dress as the team’s third-string quarterback in his Riders debut.


Matt Walter and Samuel Eguavoen are among those not listed on the Riders’ depth chart this week.


While the Green and White shows glimpses that it can be a competitor in the West Division, the Stampeders remain the gold standard in that division. Last week’s win put the Stamps’ record at 4-1-1, while a win this week would give Calgary a substantial cushion over the last-place team in the West.


In what’s deemed the final summer game at Mosaic Stadium and also potentially Calgary’s last visit before the Riders move into their new digs, expect a playoff-like atmosphere between two teams that know each other well.


“Hostile, loud,” Mitchell predicted, asked about what the Rider crowd will be like this week. “This is the way football should be, man.


“Our job is to go out and silence them,” he added in an interview with Stampeders.com. “Our job is to disappoint them – not to give them anything to cheer about and make sure we get another confidence win in someone else’s stadium.”


The Stampeders have reeled off two of what they call ‘confidence wins’ on their own, a thrilling overtime win over BC leading to a Week 8 victory over the Riders.


Calgary hasn’t lost since Week 1 vs. BC and will turn to Mitchel and co. to try and keep that rolling.


“It’s another big confidence game for us,” said Dickenson. “We’ve got a lot of them early in the season, we know it’s going to be a big challenge always when you come in here – it’s never easy.


“We’re on the right track, we’ve got to build on it and we’re hoping to do that.”


Jerome Messam will play against his former team for the first time while the Red and White may have to do some juggling on the O-line, particularly with Shane Bergman’s status up in the air.


While some prognosticators had Calgary dropping a little bit in the West due to substantial losses on both sides of the ball, from Eric Rogers, Jeff Fuller and Jon Cornish on offence to Keon Raymond and Juwan Simpson on defence — not to mention John Hufnagel’s exit as head coach — the Stamps have been as impressive as always so far in 2016.


A win on the road and a home-and-home sweep of a rebuilding Riders team would only serve more to silence the doubters and prove that, despite word of the contrary, the Stampeders are an elite CFL team and a legitimate contender to win the Grey Cup.

By the Numbers


4 – The number of interceptions thrown by the Riders and Stamps this season – combined.


-4 – The number of yards picked up by Saskatchewan in the fourth quarter of last week’s game.


32 – How many wins Bo Levi Mitchell has in his first 40 CFL starts — the second-highest winning percentage for a quarterback through 40 starts ever, one win behind Jackie Parker.


7 – The number consecutive victories for the Stamps over the Riders in head to head play.


The Skinny


The Stampeders have the 4-1-1 record against the Riders’ one victory so far in 2016 — but these teams are likely to play closer than the records suggests.


In the end, keep a close eye on Durant and Mitchell. Whoever plays the best out of the two veteran quarterbacks is likely to come away with the win.


If anyone can outduel Mitchell it might be Durant, who’s thrown seven touchdowns this season without a single interception.


Still, taking down the master won’t be easy. Mitchell has totaled at least 300 yards passing in five straight contests and tossed a touchdown in 21 straight regular-season starts.


That’s a streak dates all the way back to a July 3, 2015, a loss in Montreal. As for this year, Mitchell leads the CFL with 12 scores through the air while throwing just three interceptions.


Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET and can be seen live on TSN or followed online via CFL.ca GameTracker.

 

[CNOTES]

PREVIEW


ALL EYES ON COLLAROS AS ‘CATS, LIONS DO BATTLE


VANCOUVER — Call it a cat fight, but in reality Saturday night’s Week 8 clash between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and BC Lions will be anything but.


Vancouver’s BC Place will be the site of what promises to be a hard-fought, physical clash between East and West division heavyweights, one with a little extra something in the air thanks to the pending return of Ticats franchise quarterback Zach Collaros.


“We’re not playing Zach just by himself,” Lions head coach and general manager Wally Buono told BCLions.com. “We’re playing the Tiger-Cats. They have a lot of weapons and we want to make sure that we focus on everybody.”


Those words by the league’s all-time coaching wins leader ring true, but even still, Collaros has no chance of escaping the spotlight or the centre of attention. The 27-year-old was the leading candidate to win Most Outstanding Player a season ago before suffering a torn ACL last September.


Nearly 11 months since Collaros last played in a CFL game, it’s easy to see why the anticipation is so high.


“It feels great to be back on the field,” Collaros told Ticats.ca. “I’m really anxious and excited to play the first game.”


The Ticats are 16-9 (.640) in two seasons with Collaros under centre vs. 6-11 (.353) without him. This year they’ve scratched and clawed their way to a .500 record at 3-3 through Week 7 without Collaros, good for third place in the East.


But while Jeremiah Masoli has certainly had his ups and downs, Hamilton’s offence ranks sixth in the league with 341.7 yards per game while piling up eight interceptions, the second-most.


There’s no question that No. 4 in black and gold brings something to that unit that’s been missing; something the Lions know they’ll have to be wary of right away.


“His biggest thing is he’s a competitor”, said Lions defensive back Brandon Stewart, a former Ticats teammate of Collaros before signing with BC this off-season. “He can make almost every throw on the field and he has really good anticipation.


“He’ll bide time and extend plays, but he’s just a competitor.”


The Ticats are looking to rebound from a 37-11 loss in Winnipeg to the Bombers last week, one in which they trailed 31-0 through 30 minutes.


With Luke Tasker expected to return to the offence, Collaros taking first-team reps and the first-place Ottawa REDBLACKS within striking distance, Saturday night feels like the start of a new season for the Black and Gold — even if Head Coach Kent Austin won’t admit it.


“I’d much rather be 6-0,” said Austin. “At least we’re not chasing a team that’s 6-0. We’re right in the hunt and that’s the good news.


“Whatever the record is, as long as you’re in the hunt to win your side then you’re in good shape.”


While the Lions look to make Collaros’ return to the lineup a forgettable one, the Ticats will get to see how their league-leading defence (305.3 yards per game allowed) stacks up against budding star quarterback Jonathon Jennings.


Jennings, the 24-year-old sophomore starter out of Saginaw Valley State, has the Lions’ passing offence ranked third in the league with 320 yards per game. While everyone talks about Collaros’ return, the duel between him and Jennings provides must-watch TV.


Jennings has rolled up 1,134 passing yards over the last three games, the sixth highest three-game total in team history.


“He’s a good player,” Austin said of Jennings this week. “He’s grown quickly as a player. He’s very competitive, he seems to be pretty smart.”


Particularly of note for Jennings and the Lions’ passing game is the way they’ve been able to spread the ball around. Emmanuel Arceneaux, Bryan Burnham and Shawn Gore are all on pace to eclipse 1,300 receiving yards this season — the last time three Lions receivers cracked 1,000 yards in the same season dates back to 2005 (Geroy Simon, Jason Clermont and Ryan Thelwell).


“Any time you have a productive offence, you’re going to have productive players,” Buono said. “They’re good players, especially Bryan. He’s really coming into his own and you can see why we were excited about him the last couple of years.


“He’s got great hands and not afraid to lay out and get the ball.”


Whether it’s Jeremiah Johnson or Anthony Allen carrying the rock, the Lions’ run game has not lagged behind. BC ranks second in the league with 97.7 yards per game, as the Lions’ balanced offence has played a major role in the team’s 4-2 start.


Still, the calling card for Buono’s club remains, as expected, its defence. It was Loucheiz Purifoy’s fumble recovery touchdown that ensured the Lions’ 38-18 win over Montreal in Week 7, while that unit ranks second overall (324.7 yards per game) and in the top three in virtually every category defensively.


While all eyes are on the exciting young quarterbacks taking over as two of the league’s bigger names at the position, expect a classic hard-hitting affair between two well-coached and physical football teams.


“Every game is different,” Buono said. “This is kind of a reversal from when we went to Hamilton in Week 2. You’ve got to respect who is coming in here, you’ve to to understand what their strengths are and also be prepared yourself.


“We expect it to be a very physical game. Hamilton plays that style of game and we have to be there and better.”


Mike Edem and David Menard draw onto the Lions’ roster after missing Week 7’s win, while Stewart is expected to start at corner after an ankle injury forced him to also miss last week.

By the Numbers


22 – The number of sacks this season for both the Lions and Ticats, tied for the most in the CFL.


34.2 – Hamilton’s average points scored in 2015 when Zach Collaros started, vs. 20.0 points per game when he didn’t.


119 – The number of points the Lions have scored over their last three contests (39.7 per game).


123 – The number of tackles Adam Bighill is on pace to record, two more than his league-leading total of 121 a season ago (no player in CFL history has eclipsed 120 tackles twice in his career).

The Skinny


All eyes will be on Zach Collaros, one of the league’s most exciting players to watch.


Time of possession is what’s killed that unit this season, which ranks last in that category with 27:23 per game. What Collaros does almost better than anyone else is sustain drives by converting on second downs.


The BC Lions will need to get to Collaros early and avoid letting him settle into the game comfortably after such a long layoff.


They also need to build off the momentum of a strong start to the season and get the home crowd on their side.


The Lions’ first game back at BC Place following a 37-day absence sets a club record for time away from home.


Kickoff is slated for 10:00 p.m. ET and can be seen live on TSN or followed online via CFL.ca GameTracker.

 

[CNOTES]

CFL BEST BETS:


ATS Picks 12-18-0 40.00% -3900


O/U Picks 16-12-2 57.14% +1400


SATURDAY, AUGUST 13


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


CGY at SSK 07:00 PM


SSK +6.0


O 54.5




HAM at BC 10:00 PM

HAM +2.5


U 54.0

 

[CNOTES]

GAME RECAP


MITCHELL, STAMPEDERS OUTLAST RIDERS IN HEATED SATURDAY NIGHT AFFAIR


REGINA — Bo Levi Mitchell completed 18 of his 31 passes for 298 yards, while Jerome Messam scored Calgary’s lone touchdown as the Stampeders downed the Saskatchewan Roughriders 19-10 Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium.


The win was Calgary’s second in as many weeks over the Riders. They’ve now won four-straight, and haven’t lost a game since Week 1.


Darian Durant was solid in his second game back from injury, throwing for 215 yards on 33 attempts, while rushing for a game-high 74.


Offensively speaking, there was little action in the first quarter, with Rene Paredes’ 46-yard field goal serving as the only points in the game’s opening 15 minutes.


Paredes would then tack on his second field goal of the evening, this time connecting from 40 yards out to extend Calgary’s lead to six.


The points came after Mitchell guided the Stamps on a lengthy 11-play drive that spanned over 10 minutes.


With less than 3:30 to get in the half, the Stamps increased their lead to nine thanks to another field goal by Paredes, his 19th consecutive successful attempt.


But as the first half was nearing its end, Durant and the Roughrider offence finally woke up.


First, the soon-to-be 34-year old pivot heaved a deep ball to Ricky Collins for a gain of 35 yards, bringing the home side deep into Calgary territory.


Then, when it seemed as though the drive wouldn’t go any further, the Riders caught a break thanks to an offsides penalty on defensive lineman Frank Beltre.


One play later, Durant hooked up with Kendial Lawrence for what appeared to be a 17-yard touchdown. However, after a quick review by the command centre in Toronto, it was deemed that Lawrence stepped out at the one yard line.


Three plays later, the Riders would finally hit paydirt, as backup pivot Mitchelll Gale scored on his third try from the in close, cutting Calgary’s lead to just two.


The two teams would enter the locker room with the Stamps leading 9-7.


Once the second half got underway, Calgary wasted no time restoring their leader.


After Roy Finch gave the Stampeders excellent field position thanks to a 44-yard punt return, Mitchell and his offence went to work on finding the endzone for the first time all night.


But it was disciplinary issues by the Riders defence that did most of the work for the Stamps, with DBs Justin Cox and Major Culbert taking consecutive penalties to bring Calgary to inside the red zone.


Two plays later, Messam found the endzone for Calgary’s first touchdown of the game, giving them a 16-7 lead in the process.


The Riders eventually would respond, as rookie kicker Quinn van Gylswyk split the uprights on an impressive 54-yard field goal, the first of his CFL career.


The Fans have spoken: 75% of CFL fans correctly selected the Stampeders to head back to Calgary with a W.
The majority of the fourth quarter saw both defences keep the offences at bay. The Riders had a chance to cut Calgary’s lead to three with just over two minutes remaining, but van Gylswyk hit the upright from 40 yards out.


On the very next play from scrimmage, Mitchell connected with Simon Charbonnneau-Campeau for a massive 64-yard gain, bringing the Stamps within scoring range.


Though they couldn’t reach the endzone, Paredes split the uprights for his fourth field goal of the night, connecting from 21 yards out to put the game out of reach.

Next week, the Stamps head to BC to take on the Lions at BC Place Stadium. Meanwhile, the Riders will travel to Hamilton to face the Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field.

 

[CNOTES]

GAME RECAP


JOHNSON, ARCENEAUX HELP LIONS CLAW PAST TICATS


VANCOUVER – Manny Arceneaux’s touchdown with 1:23 remaining sealed a victory for the BC Lions, who held off the rallying Hamilton Tiger-Cats 45-38.


Jeremiah Johnson scored two rushing touchdowns to add to Arceneaux’s pair for the Lions.


The loss spoiled the return of Zach Collaros under centre for the Ticats. He finished the game throwing 24-of-40 for 331 yards with two touchdowns and a pick.


His counterpart Jonathon Jennings threw for three touchdowns and 306 yards with an interception.


Collaros’ opening drive did not go as well as he would have hoped. On his first pass attempt, the Cincinatti Bearcats alum was sacked by Loucheiz Purifoy and fumbled the football which was recovered by Steven Clarke. The BC offence immediately carried the momentum, converting the turnover into a touchdown on the first play for Jennings. Bryan Burnham hauled in a 38-yard pass for the early lead and Johnson tacked on the two-point conversion to put the Lions ahead 8-0.


The next drive was much sharper for Collaros. A big gain by Luke Tasker led to a 51-yard advance by Chad Owens. The Ticats had to settle for a 27-yard field goal but got some points on the board to cut into the lead, 8-3.


A 10-yard scramble by Collaros moved the chains for Hamilton on its next drive. He followed that up with a 18-yard connection with Tasker but could not move any further downfield. Brett Maher booted a 54-yard field goal to cut the deficit to just 8-6.


The Lions added a single from Richie Leone on their next offensive set to go back up by three.


After shutting down the Ticats on offence again, the Lions appeared to add to their lead again but a Chris Rainey kick return was erased by a penalty. Nonetheless, another strong return by Rainey led to a rushing touchdown by Johnson to close out the first quarter with the Lions ahead 16-6.


The next time the Lions defence went to work was more of the same. The Leos pinned the Ticats deep in their own zone, forcing a safety and putting them up 18-6.


Getting the ball back, BC used successive first downs through the air as Jennings continued picking apart the Ticats defence. He threw his second touchdown of the game, this time to Arceneaux on a 35-yard pass as the Lions led 25-6.


The Ticats responded on their next drive. A 35-yard reception by CJ Gable followed by first downs from Terence Toliver and Tasker brought Hamilton into scoring position where Jeremiah Masoli punched in a touchdown on short yardage to cut the lead 25-12. Collaros was sacked by Solomon Elimimian on the two point convert attempt.


The Lions hit the ground to move the chains as Johnson and Jennings moved the team past midfield. A 33-yard gain by Burnham and another first down by Arceneaux led to another touchdown from Johnson as the Lions lead grew to 32-12.


BC recorded five sacks in the first half.


The second half began much tighter defensively from both sides. They traded possessions until Emanuel Davis picked off Jennings at midfield and brought it back to just outside the end zone. From there, Collaros hooked up with Tasker for the major and the score moved to 32-19.


The Lions added a single on a booming Leone punt.


A 35-yard Chad Owens reception across the middle started off the Ticats drive but they could not gain any more ground. A 42-yard field goal by Maher cut BC’s lead to 33-22.


Collaros looked to further cut into the deficit but started deep in his own zone. The Lions defence did not allow for them to move the chains at all as Hamilton conceded the safety.


It did not get any better for the Ticats in the fourth quarter as Collaros was quickly picked off by Adam Bighill, who returned the pick to near the red zone. Leone kicked another field goal to give some more room on the Lions lead, 38-22.


Hamilton kept up the fight as the clock ticked down. Collaros found Toliver for a 31-yard touchdown and Andy Fantuz brought in a two-point convert to cut BC’s lead to just 38-30 with 8:27 remaining.


The rally continued as the three minute warning approached. Leone missed a 37-yard field goal and it was brought out by Brandon Banks, who took it 126 yards to the house. Tasker was successful on the two-point convert and the game was tied 38-38 with 3:11 left.


Looking to retake the lead again, Shawn Gore’s 25-yard reception helped put the Lions close to Ticats’ territory. Jennings rushed for 14 yards before finding Arceneaux for a 17-yard gain. Arceneaux then turned a short pass into a 30-yard touchdown to put the Lions ahead 45-38 to seal the win.


Jason Arakgi tied Wade Miller in the second quarter for the all-time CFL lead in special teams tackles with 184.


Next week, the Lions host the Calgary Stampeders while the Ticats host the Saskatchewan Roughriders.