CFL picks: Bombers in tough with rookie QB starting opener

Chris Streveler wasn’t even born the last time a pure rookie quarterback opened a CFL season as a starter.

Hall-of-famer Anthony Calvillo, currently the Toronto Argonauts quarterback coach, did that in 1994 with the expansion Las Vegas Posse. Streveler, 23, will be under centre Thursday night when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Edmonton Eskimos.

Streveler finds himself on the field Thursday thanks to crazy circumstances. Starter Matt Nichols suffered a knee injury last week that will keep him out four to six weeks. Darian Durant, signed to be Nichols’ backup, retired before the start of training camp.

The six-foot-one, 211-pound Streveler threw for 6,081 yards and 54 touchdowns over two seasons at South Dakota while rushing for 1,543 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was 10-for-10 passing for 140 yards and a TD in Winnipeg’s opening exhibition game — a 33-13 win over Edmonton — but completed just 3 of 9 passes in a 34-21 loss to B.C.

“I wouldn’t say it’s daunting,” Streveler said. “It’s a really exciting opportunity. I don’t think we’re going to be out there playing conservative. (Offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice) is going to call the plays he thinks are going to give us the best chance and that’s how we’re going to do it.

With Nichols out, it will be up to a Winnipeg defence boosted by the addition of linebacker Adam Bighill to cool a Edmonton offence led by Mike Reilly, the CFL’s outstanding player last year. Pick: Edmonton.

Toronto at Saskatchewan, Friday night, 9 p.m.

Quarterback Zach Collaros makes his first career start for Saskatchewan after being acquired from Hamilton. Collaros was the overwhelming favourite for the CFL’s outstanding player award in 2015 before suffering a seasonending injury. Since returning, Collaros has lost a league record-tying 12 straight starts. Toronto begins its Grey Cup defence with veteran quarterback Ricky Ray, the East Division’s outstanding player last year with 5,546 yards passing. Pick: Saskatchewan.

Hamilton at Calgary, Saturday, 7 p.m.

Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell leads the home team on its quest for a third straight Grey Cup appearance. The Stampeders were a CFL-best 7-2 at home last season and 6-1-1 versus East Division rivals. June Jones begins his first full season as Hamilton’s head coach after compiling a 6-4 record in 2017 on an interim basis. Jeremiah Masoli, who orchestrated the 6-4 mark, is the Ticats’ starting quarterback with former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel as his backup. Pick: Calgary.

Montreal at B.C., Saturday, 10 p.m.

Head coach Wally Buono begins his final season as B.C.’s head coach. Two of Buono’s six Grey Cup rings came as a linebacker-punter with the Alouettes. The Lions won both of their exhibition games and defensively scored three TDs. But the offence, under firstyear co-ordinator Jarious Jackson, continues to progress slowly. Drew Willy makes the start for Montreal in head coach Mike Sherman’s CFL debut. Pick: B.C.