CFL picks: Bombers aim to clinch top spot

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers can ensure that the path to the 2021 Grey Cup in the West Division will go through IG Field.

The Bombers (9-1) can clinch top spot in the West with an eight straight win they host the B.C. Lions (4-5) on Saturday night (7 p.m., all games TSN). The defending Grey Cup champions are 7-0 this season within the division and unbeaten in five home games.

Winnipeg would still clinch top spot if B.C. wins and Saskatchewan (5-4) loses to Calgary (5-5). The same would also apply if the Lions defeated the Bombers by fewer than 21 points and the Roughriders beat the Stampeders.

B.C. (4-5) comes in having lost three straight games. That includes a one-sided 39-10 home decision last week to the surging Stampeders.

The last time Winnipeg and B.C. met on Oct. 1, the Bombers won 30-9 win at B.C. Place. Zach Collaros threw for a season-high 417 yards, Kenny Lawler had 12 catches for 205 yards and the Winnipeg defence held B.C. to just 16 yards rushing.

But B.C. quarterback Mike Reilly is 9-7 all-time versus Winnipeg and has thrown for over 300 yards seven times against the Bombers. Pick: Winnipeg.

Toronto at Montreal, Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Matt Shiltz makes a second straight start for the

Alouettes (5-4) after passing for 281 yards in last week’s 27-16 win over Ottawa.

The Argos (6-3) have won three straight games with McLeod Bethel-Thompson as the starter. Over that span, they have forced eight turnovers resulting in 31 points, or 35 per cent of their total (89). Pick: Toronto.

Ottawa at Hamilton, Saturday, 4 p.m.: The Ticats (4-5) look for their first home victory in three contests after their 11-game win streak ended with a 23-20 overtime loss to Montreal on Oct. 2. In both losses at Tim Hortons Field, the Ticats have held double-digit leads in the fourth quarter.

Veteran Jeremiah Masoli is expected to get the start but is 2-5 all-time versus Ottawa (2-8).

Dynamic kick-returner DeVonte Dedmon (lower body) won’t play for the Redblacks.

Pick: Hamilton.

Saskatchewan at Calgary, Saturday, 9:45 p.m.: The Stampeders look to register a third straight win against Saskatchewan, having won a home-andhome series earlier this month.

The Stamps have won three straight overall, outscoring their opponents 31-9 in the opening quarter over that span.

The Roughriders have lost two straight and starter Cody Fajardo is 0-4 versus Calgary but 17-4 versus other clubs. Pick:

Saskatchewan.