CFL Betting: Hoser Battles Continue

READ MORE: BC Lions, CFL Betting, Edmonton Eskimos

7:00 p.m.

Edmonton Eskimos (SU: 5-1, ATS: 4-2)

at

BC Lions (SU: 5-0, ATS: 3-2)

BEST LINE: BC LIONS - 3

The Edmonton Eskimos look to dull the Lions’ roar when they travel to BC Place Stadium to play against the undefeated Lions in what is unquestionably the game of the week in the CFL (and will probably be more exciting than tomorrow’s American Bowl in Tokyo). Usually dominant, the Eskimos struggled last week in their 36-30 non-covering win against the hapless Tiger Cats of Hamilton while BC won at home last game as a 9.5-point favorite against the Stampeders, 40-27. The total sailed over the 54.5 point mark. The Eskimos are 5-1 on the season, while the Lions are still undefeated, boasting a 5-0 mark.

The unbeaten Lions will take on conference rival as both teams put their five game winning streaks on the line. Both teams have identical 10 point seasons and sport top-notch quarterbacks who control very high-powered passing attacks. The edge goes to the Lions in this game since it is at home and they also have a quality rushing attack that features Antonio Warren, who has run for four touchdowns and is averaging an impressive 5.6 yards per carry. This game also showcases two of the CFL’s top pass rushers in Lions defensive end Brent Johnson and Edmonton defensive lineman Rashad Jeanty. Both are tied with Ottawa’s Anthony Collier for the league lead in sacks, with six. BC QB Dave Dickenson was just named the Rogers’ Offensive Player of the Month. Sacramento State product Ricky Ray will take the helm for the Eskimos, but he’ll be dealing with a depleted line-up as receivers Ed Hervey, and Andrew Nowacki nurse injuries.

B.C. is 3-0 at home but just 1-0 against West Division competition. Edmonton is 2-1 on the road and 2-0 against conference rivals.

PICK! BC LIONS - 3

CFL YTD 4-3

CFL Betting: It’s Late Monday Afternoon, So That Means Football in Canada

READ MORE: CFL Betting, Football, Toronto Argonauts, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

4:05 p.m.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (SU 1-4: 2-3 ATS)

at

Toronto Argonauts (SU: 3-2, ATS: 2-3)

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers can build on last weekends 51-46 upset win (first win of the season) over the Montreal Alouettes, as an 11.5 point home dog, Monday when they battle the Toronto Argonauts at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Bombers feel that they could come into Toronto and steal one as they are catching the Argos on four days rest after they played Montreal. The Bombers on the other hand are well rested and have momentum after a thrilling win over Montreal in their last game ten days ago. For the Blue Bombers to have any chance at winning this game, however, they will need to ride the back of CFL leading RB Charles Roberts.

The East conference leading Argonauts were opened as a 7.5-point favorite in this game with the total being set at 52. The spread has risen to 8 points while the O/U has dropped to 51. Toronto is 1-1 at home and 2-2 versus the West Division. Winnipeg is 0-2 on the road, but its lone win this year came against an Eastern team. Last year these two teams split their season series; Winnipeg won at home 44-34 against the Argos last September. Glenn through for 329 yards and a touchdown while Running back Charles Roberts ran for 154 yards and scored 3 TDs. Argonauts receiver Robert Baker caught four passes for 98 yards in a 14-6 victory at Rogers last August. Damon Allen did not play in either game against Winnipeg last season.

Toronto has had difficulty all year stopping the run; on Friday the Argos gave up 122 yards rushing at Montreal. Meanwhile the Bombers’ Roberts rushed for 195 yards and two TDs against the Alouettes. Unfortunately, the Blue Bomber defense is awful and this will be difficult to overcome today against the aerial minded Argonauts. Toronto averages 298 yards a game through the air. Defensively, Toronto is one of the best in the league against one of the worst offenses that averages a feeble 212 yards total per game.

Luckily for Winnipeg, Quarterback Kevin Glenn started against the Alouettes replacing ineffective back up Tee Martin after missing three games due to injury. But it will take a few more games for Winnipeg’s offense to increase their 16.6 ppg and 148 ypg. The problem for the Blue Bombers is they have a uni-dimensional attack with Roberts. Shut down Roberts and you shut down the Bombers. While Glenn is an upgrade from Martin, the Blue Bombers still have a long uphill struggle at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Bombers are 1-4-0 O/U in their last 5 games away against Argonauts. The Bombers will be lucky to score 17 points in this game despite the ten days rest. Pinball Clemons’ team should do enough to win but not cover.

PICK! Winnipeg Blue Bombers +8

CFL YTD
3-3

CFL Betting: Rock You Like a Renegade

READ MORE: CFL Betting, Ottawa Renegades, Sasketchewan Roughriders

9:05 p.m.

Ottawa Renegades (SU: 2-3, ATS: 2-3)

at

Saskatchewan Roughriders (SU: 3-2 ATS: 2-3 )

Best Line:Ottawa Renegades+9, 52.5 O/U

Tonight’s first game of the CFL double-header pits two teams coming off losses last week; the Riders dropped a 44-18 decision at Calgary last weekend while the ‘Gades lost 29-21 to the West conference leaders Edmonton Eskimos. The line opened with the Roughriders as a nine point favorite but that number has been bouncing between 7.5 and 8 points depending upon where you shop. Paopao’s Renegades failed to cover the spread as a 5.5 point home-dog in that contest. By contrast Danny Barretts’ Roughriders were a 4.5 point road ‘chalk’ in their upset loss.

Saskatchewan is eager to show their fans that they are better than they showed last weekend. The Roughriders will be buoyed tonight by the return of Nate Davis, Daved Benefield and Jackie Mitchell. However their return might not be enough to stop Ottawa from keeping this game close. Last week, Ottawa was at a serious disadvantage in their kicking game as kicker Matt Kellett was held out of the game due to a groin injury sustained in the pre-game warm-up. Punter Pat Fleming had to handle both jobs and made one of the three field goals he attempted.

A few keys for Ottawa if they hope to cover the spread tonight is to establish the run early with Josh Ranek and Ka’Ron Coleman. They will need to key on Corey Holmes while blitzing QB Nealon Greene to disrupt his rhythm. If they can do this, the Renegades might just surprise the Roughriders.

PICK! Ottawa Renegades +9 and Over 52.5

CFL YTD 2-2

CFL Betting: It’s a Frog Stomping Cavalcade!

READ MORE: CFL Betting, Montreal Alouettes, Toronto Argonauts

7:30 p.m.

Toronto Argonauts (SU: 2-2, ATS: 1-3)

at

Montreal Alouettes (SU: 2-2 ATS: 0-4 )

Best Line: Montreal -4, 53.5 O/U

Last week Montreal traveled to Winnipeg as an 11.5 point ‘chalk’ did not escape the cellar dwelling Blue Bombers, who have the uncanny ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, with a win. However, the loss might be the wake up call that Montreal needs in this pivotal week of the season. This week Montreal hosts Toronto on the turf in the friendly confines of Percival Molson Stadium. Don Mathews’ team has been installed as a 5.5 point favorite at some shops, but Pro-Line in Canada lists the Alouettes as a four point favorite. In either case, the spread should not matter as the CFL’s best aerial attack should dominate the league’s 7th worst secondary. But for Montreal to win and cover their defense against the run has got to be better than it was against the Blue Bombers. The O/U has been set at 54 with the Canadian bookmaker listing this game at 53.5.

The Alouettes, coming off a horrible game, look good to win this game on paper against the defending Grey Cup champs, gamblers are advised that Montreal is a money burning 0-4 ATS this year. A bright spot for Montreal backers is that Alouette QB Calvillo completed 29-of-42 passes for 439 yards and three touchdowns and slotback Ben Cahoon finished with seven catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns.

Toronto is off a bye week but will play another game three days later on Monday night at the Rogers Center. The Argonauts will miss their leading receiver Arland Bruce III who is out on injury. Moreover, the Argonauts do not have a game breaking runner in John Avery. Avery has been often injured this season and has run for just 11 yards on nine carries. Avery is expected to start against Montreal which should help the Alouettes claim victory and a cover tonight.

PICK! Montreal Alouettes -4

CFL YTD 2-1