Argos should cool off Collaros and the Ticats
But Hamilton’s still spotless in new digs
FRIDAY
HAMILTON AT TORONTO
4 P. M., TSN Hamilton’s Zach Collaros is the CFL’s hottest quarterback, averaging 302 passing yards per game since his return from injury ( concussion). The Ticats are 5- 1 in that span and 4- 0 at Tim Hortons Field, the latter accomplished last Saturday against the Lions ( 19- 17), though the home team failed to score a touchdown. Ricky Ray, meanwhile, has thrown a touchdown pass in eight straight games for an Argos team averaging 31.7 points scored in its past three outings. With RBs Curtis Steele and Steve Slaton combining for an average 9.4 yards per rush over the past two games, the Argos might have a slight edge in a predicted shootout. Pick: Argos Bodog: Toronto - 3.5
SATURDAY
OTTAWA AT B. C.
7 P. M., TSN It has been a while since an Ottawa CFL team beat the Lions — July 12, 1996, the year B. C. fi nished 5- 13 and missed the playoff s for the last time. The Lions went 8- 0 in the four- year existence of the Renegades and can sweep the expansion Redblacks in their inaugural season with a win Saturday. The fi rst victory, by a 7- 5 baseball score Sept. 5, at TD Place, was like pulling teeth, however. That was the start of a stretch in which B. C.’ s defence held opposing clubs without a touchdown in four of fi ve games. A dominant D will be required yet again. Pick: Lions
Bodog: B. C. - 10
MONDAY
SASKATCHEWAN AT MONTREAL
10 A. M., TSN Coming out of retirement at age 41, Kerry Joseph should fi nd some inspiration in Damon Allen, whose attitude was truly one for the ages. Make that aged. Allen was named the CFL’s most outstanding player at 42 and became pro football’s all- time leading passer a year later. But Joseph is seven years removed from his MOP season with the Roughriders, and nobody is expecting him to approach those levels again. The Riders signed him for insurance and the assurance he could provide for young quarterbacks Tino Sunseri, Seth Doege and Keith Price. If nothing else, Saskatchewan gets to give Joseph a belated sendoff he richly deserves. Pick: Alouettes
Bodog: Montreal - 3.5
WINNIPEG AT EDMONTON
1: 30 P. M., TSN Opposition teams have been exposing the Blue Bombers’ weaknesses for some time now, but the unravelling truly became apparent when they were dusted 42- 20 by the Redblacks last Friday at TD Place. Ottawa RB Jonathan Williams had 229 yards from the line of scrimmage as the Redblacks rushed for 134 yards by the end of the fi rst half alone. Week 20 — the fi nal week of the regular season — is a scheduled bye week for the Bombers, who have gone 1- 7 following a 5- 1 start. With a month of games to go, that bye is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Pick: Eskimos Bodog: Edmonton - 8.5
Last week: 4- 0 Season: 42- 19