CFL THIS WEEK
PICKS
FRIDAY, 7 P.M. EDT
Saskatchewan at Ottawa Many of Saskatchewan’s troubles with Ottawa pertain to the carbon tax. As for football, the game shouldn’t be especially taxing for Saskatchewan. The Roughriders (6-6) just finished throwing a scare into front-running Calgary, which was held without a touchdown in its 15-9 win. Ottawa is a lesser opponent and should encounter difficulties while attempting to deal with Saskatchewan’s emerging defence. Ottawa won the Grey Cup last year, but was somehow 0-2 against a Saskatchewan team that missed the playoffs. The Roughriders are much better in 2017, whereas the Redblacks have regressed. Roughriders by six
FRIDAY, 9:30 P.M., EDT
Montreal at Calgary This matchup borders on the inhumane. Calgary is virtually invincible at home. Montreal is, to use a technical term, a dumpster fire — albeit without the accompanying firepower. The Alouettes’ offence, such as it is, is sad to watch. Darian Durant is struggling to complete the most rudimentary of passes. The receivers aren’t giving him much help. Even Ernest Jackson, who did not drop a single pass last season with Ottawa, is now demonstrating unsteady hands. Nearing 31, Jackson is an upstart on this aging Alouettes team — which somehow beat Calgary in the teams’ previous meeting. How did that happen? Don’t expect a reprise, or anything close. Stampeders by 32
SATURDAY, 6:30 P.M. EDT
Toronto at Hamilton Great predictions of our time: “Lions by 24.” That was the “wisdom” dispensed in this space a week ago, as the Tiger-Cats were preparing to visit Vancouver. So, naturally, Hamilton won 24-23. At least “24” was part of the equation, somewhere. Toronto leads the East Division with a stellar 6-7 record, but is only 1-5 on the road. The often-troublesome wind at Tim Hortons Field could create problems for Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray, who relies on timing and touch. Hamilton is on a 3-1 roll. Make it 4-1, very soon. Tiger-Cats by four
SATURDAY, 9:30 P.M. EDT
Winnipeg at Edmonton This figures to be the game of the week — the lone matchup of teams that boast winning records. Winnipeg is 9-3. Edmonton is 7-5 — which breaks down into 7-0, followed by 0-5. A victory over the Blue Bombers would calm the waters in Edmonton, where the recent play of the Eskimos has everyone looking forward to hockey season. Never count out a team quarterbacked by Mike Reilly, who is the CFL’s ultimate gamer, but it is difficult to make a case for the Eskimos right now. Accordingly … Bombers by three
Last week: 3-1 Overall: 38-15