BC at Toronto
Considering that the Argos have been crap of late, especially at home, I'm picking the Lions and Jennings regardless of Ray.
Lions 27 Argonauts 22
Ottawa at Montreal
I'm reminded of a certain scene in the film Requiem for a Dream. Ottawa has been cold of late, but Montreal has been worse. Plus Ottawa has a good receiving corps that should do something.
REDBLACKS 24 Alouettes 20
Winnipeg at Saskatchewan
The Riders may be at home, but they still just have one win. The Bombers have been way better with Nichols at quarterback instead of Willy. Bombers break Rider hearts on Labour Day Weekend.
Blue Bombers 35 Roughriders 22
Edmonton at Calgary
The Stamps looked so hot last week in Calgary against Hamilton, I can't see them losing.
Stampeders 31 Eskimos 27
Toronto at Hamilton
Short rest for the Argos against a rested Hamilton at Tim Horton's Field? Not a good recipe for an Argo win.
Tiger-Cats 39 Argonauts 33
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
2016 CFL Power Rankings Week 10
1. Calgary Stampeders
Close at the end, but overall the Stamps were in control against the Tiger-Cats at home, who are now a good team with Zach Collaros. Mitchell is either the best or second best quarterback in the CFL, a good set of receivers plus Messam at running back and a good defence.
2. BC Lions
Definitely the surprise of the league so far. Jennings is a quality CFL quarterback that most defensive ends have a tough time running down.
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Cats played the Stamps tough at home in a loss, but Collaros is looking good in his return. Tolliver is starting to have a good year which makes the Hamilton receiving core even stronger. C.J. Gable hasn't looked good this year. Secondary is still somewhat meh.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Get rid of Drew Willy and suddenly the Bombers are hot with Nichols. Back to back games with the Riders isn't going to hurt their confidence either.
5. Edmonton Eskimos
Definitely hot and cold and should be better. Beating the Riders at home isn't particularly indicative of anything. Reilly is still healthy though.
6. Ottawa REDBLACKS
After a hot start of the season, Ottawa is suddenly mired in mediocrity. The Burris Harris quarterback thing might be turning toxic.
7. Toronto Argonauts
At least Ray is back.
8. Montreal Alouettes
Should the Alouettes fire GM/coach Jim Popp from every role? I'm starting to think so.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Still sucking.
Close at the end, but overall the Stamps were in control against the Tiger-Cats at home, who are now a good team with Zach Collaros. Mitchell is either the best or second best quarterback in the CFL, a good set of receivers plus Messam at running back and a good defence.
2. BC Lions
Definitely the surprise of the league so far. Jennings is a quality CFL quarterback that most defensive ends have a tough time running down.
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Cats played the Stamps tough at home in a loss, but Collaros is looking good in his return. Tolliver is starting to have a good year which makes the Hamilton receiving core even stronger. C.J. Gable hasn't looked good this year. Secondary is still somewhat meh.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Get rid of Drew Willy and suddenly the Bombers are hot with Nichols. Back to back games with the Riders isn't going to hurt their confidence either.
5. Edmonton Eskimos
Definitely hot and cold and should be better. Beating the Riders at home isn't particularly indicative of anything. Reilly is still healthy though.
6. Ottawa REDBLACKS
After a hot start of the season, Ottawa is suddenly mired in mediocrity. The Burris Harris quarterback thing might be turning toxic.
7. Toronto Argonauts
At least Ray is back.
8. Montreal Alouettes
Should the Alouettes fire GM/coach Jim Popp from every role? I'm starting to think so.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Still sucking.
Friday, August 19, 2016
2016 CFL Predictions Week 9
Montreal at Ottawa
The Alouettes seem in disarray. The REDBLACKS haven't played for a while and Ottawa is at home. Seems like an easy pick.
REDBLACKS 35 Alouettes 27
Calgary at BC
This one is interesting. Calgary has the best record in the league this year, but they haven't struck me as fantastic, more the beneficiary of being consistently competent while other teams are more hit and miss. BC has been the big surprise with strong play at quarterback with Jennings and the linebacker tandem of Elimimian and Bighill. I think the Lions take this one at home.
Lions 28 Stampeders 27
Edmonton at Toronto
Still no Ricky Ray for Toronto, so one has to lean towards the Eskimos and a healthy Mike Reilly. Toronto has a reasonable defence, but not much of a home crowd.
Eskimos 22 Argonauts 18
Saskatchewan at Hamilton
Things are not right in Riderville, both on the field and in the front office. The Tiger-Cats are coming off a close game in BC they came from way back to tie with Zach Collaros in his first appearance in 2016. Collaros looked hot in the second half and actually made C.J. Gable part of the Ticat offense rather than an afterthought. The Ticats should be stronger in Collaros' second game of the year.
Tiger-Cats 32 Roughriders 24
The Alouettes seem in disarray. The REDBLACKS haven't played for a while and Ottawa is at home. Seems like an easy pick.
REDBLACKS 35 Alouettes 27
Calgary at BC
This one is interesting. Calgary has the best record in the league this year, but they haven't struck me as fantastic, more the beneficiary of being consistently competent while other teams are more hit and miss. BC has been the big surprise with strong play at quarterback with Jennings and the linebacker tandem of Elimimian and Bighill. I think the Lions take this one at home.
Lions 28 Stampeders 27
Edmonton at Toronto
Still no Ricky Ray for Toronto, so one has to lean towards the Eskimos and a healthy Mike Reilly. Toronto has a reasonable defence, but not much of a home crowd.
Eskimos 22 Argonauts 18
Saskatchewan at Hamilton
Things are not right in Riderville, both on the field and in the front office. The Tiger-Cats are coming off a close game in BC they came from way back to tie with Zach Collaros in his first appearance in 2016. Collaros looked hot in the second half and actually made C.J. Gable part of the Ticat offense rather than an afterthought. The Ticats should be stronger in Collaros' second game of the year.
Tiger-Cats 32 Roughriders 24
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
2016 CFL Power Rankings Week 9
1. Calgary Stampeders
They just keep winning. And stirring shit up with other teams on Twitter.
2. BC Lions
Won a tight one at home against Hamilton, but they did manage to score the go ahead TD late. Jennings is making an argument on being the best quarterback in the CFL. Elimimian and Bighill are a potent combo at linebacker.
3. Ottawa REDBLACKS
A week off helps Ottawa. Plus no new injuries.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Like Hansel, Winnipeg is so hot right now. Nichols is playing reasonably at quarterback and the released and returned Clarence Denmark had a ridiculous game in the Big Smoke last weekend. Not really sure it is going to last, but at least Mike O'Shea's job is safe for another few weeks.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The anointed one Zach Collaros has returned. Looked OK in the first half and great in the second half. Collaros also managed to find Gable receiving out of the backfield for a long run, which happened a lot last year, but not much in the first six games with Masoli. The Tiger-Cats secondary was torched badly in BC however and couldn't stop Lion receivers even with multiple coverage. Front seven is decent.
6. Edmonton Eskimos
Beat Montreal, but that isn't saying a lot. Still Mike Reilly isn't injured and considering all the injuries that happen to quarterbacks in the modern CFL, the Eskimos still have a decent chance to win.
7. Toronto Argonauts
Got crunched at home by Winnipeg. Good on the road though.
8. Montreal Alouettes
Lost yet again, albeit on the road to the Esks. Jim Popp would be better off going back to being GM only next year and find another coach.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
They didn't look awful against the Stamps at home, but they didn't win either. Getting close to being a rebuilding year considering they have only won one game.
They just keep winning. And stirring shit up with other teams on Twitter.
2. BC Lions
Won a tight one at home against Hamilton, but they did manage to score the go ahead TD late. Jennings is making an argument on being the best quarterback in the CFL. Elimimian and Bighill are a potent combo at linebacker.
3. Ottawa REDBLACKS
A week off helps Ottawa. Plus no new injuries.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Like Hansel, Winnipeg is so hot right now. Nichols is playing reasonably at quarterback and the released and returned Clarence Denmark had a ridiculous game in the Big Smoke last weekend. Not really sure it is going to last, but at least Mike O'Shea's job is safe for another few weeks.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The anointed one Zach Collaros has returned. Looked OK in the first half and great in the second half. Collaros also managed to find Gable receiving out of the backfield for a long run, which happened a lot last year, but not much in the first six games with Masoli. The Tiger-Cats secondary was torched badly in BC however and couldn't stop Lion receivers even with multiple coverage. Front seven is decent.
6. Edmonton Eskimos
Beat Montreal, but that isn't saying a lot. Still Mike Reilly isn't injured and considering all the injuries that happen to quarterbacks in the modern CFL, the Eskimos still have a decent chance to win.
7. Toronto Argonauts
Got crunched at home by Winnipeg. Good on the road though.
8. Montreal Alouettes
Lost yet again, albeit on the road to the Esks. Jim Popp would be better off going back to being GM only next year and find another coach.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
They didn't look awful against the Stamps at home, but they didn't win either. Getting close to being a rebuilding year considering they have only won one game.
Thursday, August 11, 2016
2016 CFL Predictions Week 8
Montreal at Edmonton
Both teams have not been very good of late. Montreal isn't really surprising, while Edmonton is the defending Grey Cup champion. Despite the CFL weirdly being a road team biased league this year, one has to think that the Eskimos will regress upwards towards the mean here and win at home.
Eskimos 31 Alouettes 19
Winnipeg at Toronto
Not really sure on this one. Toronto has been decent all year, while the Bombers have suddenly turned things around with backup quarterback Matt Nichols taking over from Drew Willy in a bit of a desperation move for Bomber coach Mike O'Shea. The Argos don't have Ricky Ray in their lineup, so I'll go with the improbability of a Bomber road win.
Blue Bombers 25 Argonauts 22
Calgary at Saskatchewan
Despite being a road game for the Stamps, this looks like a gimme for Calgary. That was before Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (abbreviated as BLM somewhat confusingly) took to Twitter to accuse the sadsack rebuilding Riders of having a secretly funded blackops practice squad. Rider fans are now mad, but I don't think it changes the result.
Stampeders 40 Riders 18
Hamilton at BC
Traditionally Eastern Time Zone teams in the CFL have done poorly in BC which always seems to schedule evening games. The Cats have managed to go 3 and 3 with Jeremiah Masoli as the pivot, but now the appointed one, Zach Collaros is back and looking to light up the scoreboard (and actually throw running back C.J. Gable some passes). Collaros is coming off ACL surgery and will likely be somewhat rusty, plus the Lions are at home and Lion quarterback Jonathon Jennings has been good this year. So Lions.
Lions 29 Tiger-Cats 23
Both teams have not been very good of late. Montreal isn't really surprising, while Edmonton is the defending Grey Cup champion. Despite the CFL weirdly being a road team biased league this year, one has to think that the Eskimos will regress upwards towards the mean here and win at home.
Eskimos 31 Alouettes 19
Winnipeg at Toronto
Not really sure on this one. Toronto has been decent all year, while the Bombers have suddenly turned things around with backup quarterback Matt Nichols taking over from Drew Willy in a bit of a desperation move for Bomber coach Mike O'Shea. The Argos don't have Ricky Ray in their lineup, so I'll go with the improbability of a Bomber road win.
Blue Bombers 25 Argonauts 22
Calgary at Saskatchewan
Despite being a road game for the Stamps, this looks like a gimme for Calgary. That was before Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (abbreviated as BLM somewhat confusingly) took to Twitter to accuse the sadsack rebuilding Riders of having a secretly funded blackops practice squad. Rider fans are now mad, but I don't think it changes the result.
Stampeders 40 Riders 18
Hamilton at BC
Traditionally Eastern Time Zone teams in the CFL have done poorly in BC which always seems to schedule evening games. The Cats have managed to go 3 and 3 with Jeremiah Masoli as the pivot, but now the appointed one, Zach Collaros is back and looking to light up the scoreboard (and actually throw running back C.J. Gable some passes). Collaros is coming off ACL surgery and will likely be somewhat rusty, plus the Lions are at home and Lion quarterback Jonathon Jennings has been good this year. So Lions.
Lions 29 Tiger-Cats 23
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
2016 CFL Power Rankings Week 8
1. Calgary Stampeders
Sure they only beat the Roughriders last week, but you can't argue with their record. Bo Levi Mitchell is still healthy which definitely helps.
2. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Henry Burris is back and angry at the CFL panel and other critics. Personally I thought Trevor Harris gives them a better chance to in, but he is injured so there's something to be said for durability.
3. BC Lions
Not a lot of fans in the stands, but the team is doing well in 2016. Jonathon Jennings is having an impressive year.
4. Toronto Argonauts
The Argos are better than I would have thought, especially on the road. Not sure what that says about Argo home fans.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Zach Collaros is returning! Hopefully he doesn't have too much rust, but we are assuming he can still dump it off to C.J. Gable for big gains.
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Still not sure the Bombers are for real, but they have turned things around with Edmonton's castoff quarterback.
7. Edmonton Eskimos
What has happened to Edmonton? Mike Reilly isn't injured and were it not for the Riders, they would be in the basement.
8. Montreal Alouettes
Even with Kevin Glenn in the lineup, the Alouettes aren't very good. Their kicker absolutely sucking this year hasn't helped.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Yeah it is going to be a long season for the Riders.
Sure they only beat the Roughriders last week, but you can't argue with their record. Bo Levi Mitchell is still healthy which definitely helps.
2. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Henry Burris is back and angry at the CFL panel and other critics. Personally I thought Trevor Harris gives them a better chance to in, but he is injured so there's something to be said for durability.
3. BC Lions
Not a lot of fans in the stands, but the team is doing well in 2016. Jonathon Jennings is having an impressive year.
4. Toronto Argonauts
The Argos are better than I would have thought, especially on the road. Not sure what that says about Argo home fans.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Zach Collaros is returning! Hopefully he doesn't have too much rust, but we are assuming he can still dump it off to C.J. Gable for big gains.
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Still not sure the Bombers are for real, but they have turned things around with Edmonton's castoff quarterback.
7. Edmonton Eskimos
What has happened to Edmonton? Mike Reilly isn't injured and were it not for the Riders, they would be in the basement.
8. Montreal Alouettes
Even with Kevin Glenn in the lineup, the Alouettes aren't very good. Their kicker absolutely sucking this year hasn't helped.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Yeah it is going to be a long season for the Riders.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
2016 CFL Week 7 Predictions
I hate Wednesday games. Missed getting this out before the game last night, but here's the rest.
BC at Montreal
At a neutral site, I would pick BC. Then again road teams keep winning in the CFL this year. Glenn looked OK against the Riders last week so Montreal should not be terrible. I'm going to go with Montreal when I really shouldn't.
Alouettes 23 Lions 20
Saskatchewan at Calgary
Despite no doubt many Rider fans in Calgary, this is the gimme game of the week.
Stampeders 35 Roughriders 20
Edmonton at Ottawa
Two teams that seemed great early and maybe not quite so great now. I'll go with wacky road team wins and Ottawa not having Harris.
Eskimos 28 REDBLACKS 24
BC at Montreal
At a neutral site, I would pick BC. Then again road teams keep winning in the CFL this year. Glenn looked OK against the Riders last week so Montreal should not be terrible. I'm going to go with Montreal when I really shouldn't.
Alouettes 23 Lions 20
Saskatchewan at Calgary
Despite no doubt many Rider fans in Calgary, this is the gimme game of the week.
Stampeders 35 Roughriders 20
Edmonton at Ottawa
Two teams that seemed great early and maybe not quite so great now. I'll go with wacky road team wins and Ottawa not having Harris.
Eskimos 28 REDBLACKS 24
2016 Week 6 CFL Power Rankings
I actually wrote these out before yesterday's game, so for posterity here they are.
1. Calgary Stampeders
The Stamps always seem decent and in a year of massive parity that's something.
2. BC Lions
Sure they lost, but it was tight and the Lions are still doing well in 2016.
3. Ottawa REDBLACKS
There's trouble in Bytown. When does Trevor Harris come back?
4. Toronto Argonauts
Looked mediocre in week one, but the double blue seem to have righted the ship even without Ricky Ray
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
They will be better whenever Collaros actually gets back.
6. Edmonton Eskimos
The Eskimos were good. Now I'm not so sure. Seems strange with Mike Reilly being healthy, but there you go.
7. Montreal Alouettes
With Kevin Glenn the Alouettes aren't awful. That's something.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Better without their Willy. Who would have thought?
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Yeah the Riders are bad.
1. Calgary Stampeders
The Stamps always seem decent and in a year of massive parity that's something.
2. BC Lions
Sure they lost, but it was tight and the Lions are still doing well in 2016.
3. Ottawa REDBLACKS
There's trouble in Bytown. When does Trevor Harris come back?
4. Toronto Argonauts
Looked mediocre in week one, but the double blue seem to have righted the ship even without Ricky Ray
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
They will be better whenever Collaros actually gets back.
6. Edmonton Eskimos
The Eskimos were good. Now I'm not so sure. Seems strange with Mike Reilly being healthy, but there you go.
7. Montreal Alouettes
With Kevin Glenn the Alouettes aren't awful. That's something.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Better without their Willy. Who would have thought?
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Yeah the Riders are bad.
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