Yikes!! The Predictor Goes 1-for-4 in Week 2: Looking To Be Better In Week 3:

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A pair of upsets in week two had odds makers and this predictor scratching his head as the unpredictability of the CanadianFootball League was on full display in week two of the regular season. A 1-for-4 week sees my overall record on the season drop to 3-and-5. Undeterred I’m back with my week 3 picks, feel free to discuss.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-0 T1st in West) LW: 36-28 win vs. Ottawa
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Montreal Alouettes (1-1 T1st in East) LW: 24-9 win vs. B.C.

Three Keys:

Als W = D. The Montreal Alouette defence was dominant against the B.C. Lions in week two limiting the Grey Cup hosts to just 9 points. The group will need a better effort against a Blue Bomber team that has put up back-to-back 300-yard passing games to open the season.

Willy-Peg! Well there is nothing like putting pressure on a young pivot. However, you have to tip your hat to Drew Willy. He has been effective, efficient and perhaps most importantly he has been upright. The Bomber offensive line have done an excellent job in both the run game and pass protection and they need to continue to do that this week against an aggressive Alouette defence.

The Running Man. This contest will feature the second and third highest rushers in the league, thus far in the season. Whomever, Winnipeg’s Nick Grisby or Montreal’s Brandon Whitaker, can perform more consistently and allow their offence to remain two dimensional will give their team a leg up.

THE PREDICITION: To be truthful this is a tough one to cal. The Bombers have the better offence while the Als have the better defence. Odds makers are giving Montreal a 2.5 point advantage and I’m inclined to agree as the old saying that defence wins championships applies here. I’m going with Montreal by a touchdown 17-10.

Ottawa REDBLACKS (0-1 3rd in East) LW: 36-28 loss at WInnipeg
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Edmonton Eskimos (2-0 T1st in West) LW: 28-24 win vs. Hamilton

Three Keys:

Hammerin’ Hank: The Eskimo defence was relentless in pressuring Hamilton’s quarterbacks last week and will need to do the same against a young Ottawa offensive line. If Henry Burris gets time he makes things happen.

Miked Up: As important as protecting the quarterback is to the REDBLACKS it’s just as important to the Eskimos. Keeping Quarterback Mike Reilly clean is priority one especially with the Eskimo’s non-existent running game (73 yards by Tyler Thomas in the first two games on 21 carries)

Stamps of Approval: The REDBLACKS secondary was dissected by Winnipeg in Week 2. The secondary will need to be assignment sound in week three or they could be seeing a lot of the backs of Adarius Bowman and Fred Stamps’ jerseys.

THE PREDICTION: The Eskimos improved to 2-and-oh by the skin of their chinny, chin, chin against Hamilton last week. That ability to hold onto a late game lead and the glimmers that we have seen offensively thus far are encouraging. That’s why I will go with Edmonton to move to 3-and-oh with a double digit margin of victory. I say Edmonton 28 – Ottawa 10.

Calgary Stampeders (1-0 3rd in West) LW: BYE
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Toronto Argonauts (1-1 T1st in East) LW: 48-15 vs. Saskatchewan

Three Keys:

O Cornish: All indications point to Jon Cornish not playing in this contest. Not only is not having the league’s reigning Most Outstanding Player a big blow to the Stamps offence but with Cornish being a National that will affect the Stamps ratio forcing them to juggle their roster.

Ray Day! Ricky Ray looked like what we have come to expect from him in the Argos thrashing of Saskatchewan in week two. He will not have Andre Durie at his disposal but Ray’s talent can elevate those around him.

Does Bo Know? Bo-Levi Mitchell performed admirably in the Stamps season opening win over Montreal and with another two weeks under his belt can he read the defence that Toronto is going to throw at him? Something that George Cortez and Darian Duant could not do one week ago.

THE PREDICITION: Sorry RIdernation but this game is shaping up to be the game of the week. The biggest factors in the contest will be the loss of John Cornish to the Stampeder offense and the addition of the best cover man in the league, Dwight Anderson, to the Argonaut defence. My head says go with Calgary while my heart is pulling for Toronto. In the end I think the absence of Cornish is to much to overcome. Go with Toronto in tight one 35-31.

B.C. Lions (0-2 5th in West) LW: 24-9 loss at Montreal
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Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-1 4th in West) LW: 48-15 loss at Toronto

Three Keys:

Callin’ Kevin… The B.C. Lions need to get on the same page with new quarterback Kevin Glenn. The Leos have struggled with a new offensive coordinator, new scheme and a reluctance to use the running game. The Leos need the offense to get on track, fast.

Will the real Rider D stand up! The Green and White struggled to get off the field on Saturday in Toronto. The Riders need to be assignment sound against a hungry Lions team.

Rock & Roll… Both teams have had their problems protecting the rock this season. Yes it is simple but minimizing turnovers will be key for both teams.

THE PREDICITION: Two desperate teams looking to turn around dismal performances from last week could lead to anything and everything. Home field will be a big advantage for the Riders but B-C’s desire to get back on track may be bigger, not to mention the fact that the Riders are entering a bye week. This once could come down to the kickers and B.C. has a decided advantage there. That’s why I’m going with the upset, B.C. 31 – Saskatchewan 27.

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