Game of Day: Tiger-Cats at Roughriders
By JUSTIN HARTLING
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Saskatchewan Roughriders (-4.5, 54.5)
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders open their respective seasons with a rematch of the 2013 Grey Cup final. Saskatchewan won that game 45-23 at home and plays host again on Sunday looking to replicate last year’s franchise-record start. Exorcising the ghost of that Grey Cup loss would certainly be a good way for the Tiger-Cats to start their first season with Zach Collaros at quarterback.
Collaros replaces veteran Henry Burris and has a lot to live up to after showing signs of promise in a short stint as starter with the Toronto Argonauts. The Roughriders are dealing with the departure of running back Kory Sheets, who went to the NFL after his record-breaking Grey Cup performance. Saskatchewan is also missing large parts of its formidable defence, which allowed a league-low 398 points last season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN
LINE HISTORY: The line opened at the 'Riders -6, but books have quickly had to adjust it to Saskatchewan -4.5. The total has remained at 54.5 since opening.
INJURY REPORT: Hamilton - WR Andy Fantuz (Head/Out), DL Sam Scott (Undisclosed/Out), DL Terrance Moore (Undisclosed/Out), LB Abraham Kromah (Undisclosed/Out) Saskatchewan - OL Corey Watman (Undisclosed/Out), LB Chad Kilgore (Thumb/Out), DB Carlos Thomas (Undisclosed/Out)
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "In a rematch of last year's Grey Cup the Ti-Cats will certainly have a big chip on their shoulder although personnel changes tend to minimize that effect. Speaking of changes, the Riders will be missing a number of key cogs from last year's championship team. I can't help but lean to the Ti-Cats with the points in this spot as they have a little more upside at this early stage of the season not to mention added motivation." Covers Experts' Sean Murphy
WHAT BOOKS SAY: "Opening weekend of the CFL season continues with the Tiger-Cats visiting Saskatchewan to play the Roughriders. The Ti-cats are 4.5 point dogs and are seeing 81% of the action so far, however I do feel that we will start to see money come in on the favorite as we get closer to kickoff. The under on the 54.5 total is seeing the majority of the action with 72% of the money." Michael Stewart of Carbonsports.com
ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (2013, 10-8): Safety Craig Butler was scooped up by Hamilton as a free agent after recording 11 interceptions and 135 tackles in three seasons with Saskatchewan. Running back C.J. Gable says he is aiming to become the first CFL player to record 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving after amassing 1,380 combined yards last season. The Tiger-Cats will be without one of their main offensive options as receiver Andy Fantuz was ruled out with an injury suffered during the preseason.
ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (2013, 11-7): Running back Hugh Charles was added to Saskatchewan’s practice roster after being cut by the Edmonton Eskimos and could eventually make his way into a game since the Roughriders plan to replace Sheets by committee. Quarterback Darian Durant looked accurate during the preseason, completing 14-of-19 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Like Sheets, receiver Weston Dressler also departed for the NFL, leaving a roster spot open for rookie Ryan Smith.
TRENDS:
*Tiger-Cats are 3-13-1 ATS in their last 17 meetings in Saskatchewan.
*Roughriders are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in June.
*Over is 21-10-1 in the last 32 meetings.
COVERS CONSENSUS: 57.6 percent of the bets are on Sask -4.5 with 56 percent taking the Over at 54.5.
