CFL WEEK 1: 0-0 ATS // 0-0 ML

Week 1 is here! Excited to see new faces on new teams and what they can do. Going to be another great year.

MTL @ WPG -7.5

The Bombers had this game marked on the calendar as soon as the schedule dropped. Rematch of last year's Grey Cup. The Bombers lost Jeffcoat to retirement and are getting old on the O-line and defense. But revenge is on the Bombers mind here and they're playing at home where they're almost invincible. Winnipeg still has their core of WRs, a stud RB and of course Collaros.

I am still surprised Montreal won the Grey Cup last year, I didn't see that coming. It hurts more being a Rider fan that the Riders didn't believe in Cody Fajardo and got rid of Jason Maas, then both went to Montreal and immediately won the Grey Cup. I feel they'll have a bit of a hangover and they lost 2 huge key pieces to their offense: Austin Mack (NFL) and William Stanbeck (BC). Montreal will need to apply a ton of heat on Collaros to keep them in this game but I don't see them scoring a bunch of points. Winnipeg is 23-2 straight up at home in their last 25 games.  

30 - 18 Bombers

HAM @ CAL +1

This is the toughest game to cap this week in my opinion, but I like Calgary in this spot. The team didn't change a whole lot from last year but they picked up another lockdown DB in Demerio Houston, now having 2 lockdown DBs in Houston and Roberson. Calgary also has 2 of the top LBs in the league in Judge and Awe. Picking up Shiltz can give the Stamps good balance at QB, mixing Shiltz' running and explosive play ability into the mix, and I am still not a believer in Jake Maier.

Hamilton wasn't a great team last year and in my opinion they got worse. They got a new HC in Milanovich which I don't think too highly of (good offensive coordinator though) and they lost 2 huge key pieces on defense in Ted Laurent and Simoni Lawrence (both retired). They did pick up Hendrix and Peters though. Who is going to play QB for Hamilton? Bo Levi or Powell? Bo already looks banged up in practice. Hamilton will have a hard time doing much of anything on offense going up against a very strong LB/DB crew in Calgary.

21 - 16 Stampeders

SK +2.5 @ EDM

The wrong team is favored. I really like my Riders this year, they made a lot of changes and all of them are very good ones/upgrades. Corey Mace is going to be a great HC for the Riders and is a HUGE upgrade over Dickenson. I am still surprised the Riders managed to get AJ Ouellette and that Toronto let him walk. I love the Hardrick pickup, one of the top O-line men in the league at a position the Riders desperately needed, they picked up a top LB in Thurman after losing Dean to retirement, and finally moved Lanier over to his natural position of DT from DE where he has wreaked havoc in the middle. The Riders should be one of the top teams this year as long as Harris can stay healthy.  

Edmonton picked up Bethel-Thompson at QB, but why not give Tre Ford a chance at starting?! Chris Jones doesn't see leadership skills in him and he does have lazy practises from time to time. Having Thompson and Ford can give Edmonton a great 1-2 punch at QB. Edmonton also picked up Gittens Jr and Javon Leake from the Argos, but lost A.C. Leonard and Winston Rose (free agents, remain unsigned). Edmonton's glaring weakness is at DL as they lost 2 important pieces. The Riders should be able to pound the ball with Ouellette and Harris will pick apart Edmonton's secondary. 

24 - 20 Riders

BC -5.5 @ TOR

BC got better in the offseason and Toronto got worse. BC picked up Stanbeck, Robertson and Ciante Evans and lost Matthieu Betts to the NFL. This is a great matchup for the Lions passing game going against a depleted Argos secondary. BC also has a great 1-2 punch at RB now with the bruising Stanbeck and the electric Mizzell.

Will Toronto be focused/ready for this one with all the drama surrounding the team and Chad Kelly this offseason? What is Cameron Dukes going to do at QB for half the season if he lasts that long? Toronto also lost the bruiser Ouellette but picked up Ka'Deem Carey from Calgary in the process. They also nabbed WR Rasheed Bailey and DL Jake Cersena but lost stud DB Stiggers to the NFL. This is a team with a lot of question marks this year. How are they going to keep up with BCs offense with Cameron Dukes at the helm?

23 - 14 Lions

TEASERS: 0-0

TEASER: 7 points

WPG -0.5

Bombers just need to win this one. With Montreal shorthanded and unproven on offense losing Fajardo's go to WR Austin Mack and the pounding RB William Stanbeck along with sweet revenge on the mind of the Bombers playing at home where they are almost unstoppable, give me the Bombers to win. That was a run-on sentence.

SK +9.5

I like the Riders to win this outright, and you're giving me a +9.5 point cushion? Sign me up. Corey Mace will most definitely want to win his first official real game as a head coach. This dude will be a great coach for Saskatchewan and I am super excited for the team this year as a Rider fan.

I really want to add BC +1.5 to this teaser but I won't. But if anyone wants to, it's a good pick with the drama surrounding the Argos/Kelly not playing, and them also losing Ouellette and some key pieces on defense.

Good luck!

Good luck this year Slushie.

You and Chef are invaluable with your write ups.  Thank you both. 

I kind of don't like your take on Sask/Ed game.  Only because I am an Elks fan and the truth hurts.  I'll probably bet against Elks all year and if they win, it will be a good consolation. 

@slushie007

 Good luck this season Slushie!