PICKS
FRIDAY, 5 P.M. Calgary at Hamilton
The Stampeders are a powerhouse, whereas the Tiger-Cats have emerged from the CFL’s outhouse following an 0-8 start. Calgary is a virtual sure thing, week after week, and the same can be said of an incorrect prediction pertaining to a Tiger-Cats game. Since June Jones took over as Hamilton’s head coach for the team’s ninth game, the projected outcome in this space has been reliably incorrect. It will be a shock, though, if Hamilton defies the skeptics this week. Stampeders by eight
FRIDAY, 8 P.M. Ottawa at Saskatchewan
The Roughriders won 18-17 in Ottawa on Sept. 29, but the Redblacks should present a considerably tougher challenge this time. The reason: Trevor Harris — not Ryan Lindley — will be quarterbacking the Redblacks. A Harris-led offence against a Chris Jones-coached defence should be an intriguing matchup. Harris loves to go deep, to Greg Ellingson, in particular but the Roughriders have become tough to beat over the top — and tough to beat, period. Home field should be the edge, as long as Saskatchewan can find a way to stop the run. Ottawa’s William Powell sliced the Riders for 187 yards on Sept. 29. Roughriders by two
SATURDAY, 2 P.M. B.C. at Winnipeg
The Bombers are coming off a home-field loss to Hamilton. A visit by the Lions should leave Bombers fans in a better mood. Despite an array of talent and a Hall of Fame head coach (Wally Buono), the Lions have been the league’s biggest disappointment this season. Playoff hopes are quickly evaporating. One oddity, though: Winnipeg has four more victories than B.C., but has allowed 29 more points in an equal number of games (14). The Bombers are an opportunistic team and they are about to face a B.C. squad that tends to self-destruct. Blue Bombers by seven
SATURDAY, 5 P.M. Toronto at Edmonton
Thank you, first of all, to the Eskimos for saving last week’s predictions. If not for Edmonton’s 42-24 conquest of Montreal, this prognosticator would have been a glorious 0-4. Now, was the Eskimos’ victory — which snapped a six-game losing skid — a sign that they are progressing, or simply a product of playing the CFL’s worst team? The suspicion persists that the Eskimos still have enough talent to reverse their fortunes. Receiver Brandon Zylstra, by himself, is worth watching.
Eskimos by four
Last week: 1-3 Overall: 42-19