Labour Day is past, and all the league rivalries have been shaken up in one way or another. But with the season at the halfway point, it’s time to fire up the old CFL Predict-o-matic to try to call the games before they’re played. How hard can it be? Find out by leaving your own picks in the comments below.
Week 11 CFL Predictions
B.C. Lions at Ottawa Redblacks
Matt’s thoughts: The big storyline here is the return of the prodigal son, as Travis Lulay finally gets his first start this year for the Lions. Coming off a bye week, you can bet they’ll be well prepared; they’re also shoring up their injury-riddled offensive line with NFL castoff Cory Brandon. They’re playing in Bytown, too, where the Redblacks are trying to solve their own problems: too many penalties (leading the league in penalties, with a whopping average of 107 per game), too few points (last in the league with just over 15 per game), and a quarterback with no touchdown passes. Someday Ottawa might turn it around, although it’s questionable whether that day will come this year. B.C. should walk away with this one.
Matthew Bin: B.C. 22 – Ottawa 14
Nicholas Di Giovanni: B.C. 39 – Ottawa 8
Steve Gifkins: B.C. 31 – Ottawa 24
Lance Keiser: B.C. 17 – Ottawa 25
Calgary Stampeders at Edmonton Eskimos
Steve’s thoughts: With Quarterback Mike Reilly and Receiver Fred Stamps still questionable for Saturday’s game, Edmonton will need their defense to step up big time to avoid a third straight loss to their provincial rivals. Pat Watkins, Aaron Grymes, Dexter McCoil, and the rest of the defensive playmakers have been dominant in 2014. The Esks rank first in the CFL in yards against. If there is a small weakness in the Eskies’ Defense, it’s the rush defence. Jon Cornish was able to exploit it on Labour Day, rushing for 163 yards and a touchdown. On the other side, if Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell can just get the ball in the hands of his skill players and avoid turnovers, Calgary should gain the victory once again.
Matthew Bin: Calgary 27 – Edmonton 30
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Calgary 22 – Edmonton 17
Steve Gifkins: Calgary 21 – Edmonton 17
Lance Keiser: Calgary 26 – Edmonton 17
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Montreal Alouettes
Lance’s thoughts: Well look what we have here: two Eastern teams both coming off a win the week before. Hamilton suffocated the Argos defensively last week; was that just a spark from their new stadium or is it for real? The Montreal D has been notoriously good the past 3 weeks as well, though. Combine that with Hamilton’s shaky offensive schemes and their knack for holding onto their penalties addiction tighter than David Braley holding on to ownership of two CFL franchises, it spells a Montreal win propelling them even with the Argos. Take notice, fans: this team won’t be a joke anymore.
Matthew Bin: Hamilton 26 – Montreal 12
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Hamilton 24 – Montreal 17
Steve Gifkins: Hamilton 20 – Montreal 30
Lance Keiser: Hamilton 17 – Montreal 23
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Nick’s thoughts: This game, the 11th one officially titled the Banjo Bowl, has a certain twist to it compared with the past eight meetings: they’re in the same division. Only in 2004 and 2005 was the Labour Day rematch played with both teams in the West. Winnipeg (6-4) is sitting fourth only two points ahead of B.C., who has a game in hand. But Saskatchewan (7-2) is a win behind Calgary for top spot in the West and the CFL. After the 35-30 comeback win for the Riders last week, the veteran corps including the returned Weston Dressler should make it another close game in Winnipeg. For the third time in five weeks, the powerful Roughriders will beat their rivals, the falling Blue Bombers.
Matthew Bin: Saskatchewan 22 – Winnipeg 25
Nicholas Di Giovanni: Saskatchewan 20 – Winnipeg 24
Steve Gifkins: Saskatchewan 31 – Winnipeg 28
Lance Keiser: Saskatchewan 29 – Winnipeg 21
Week 10 Notes
Almost everyone ended up splitting the four results, predicting two right and two wrong – except Matt, who finished with a 3-1 record, missing only the pick in the last game. Matt’s clearly smarter than everyone else, especially commenter salty1264, who ended up with an embarrassing 2-2 record as well.
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