Labor Day weekend in the CFL means that it’s time for the big rivalries to step up to the plate. This year, that holds some extra meaning. While few people are going to care about the Ottawa-Montreal game – outside of the locals – there are some more important showdowns. All eyes will be on the Calgary Stampeders-Edmonton Eskimos matchups. They’ll play twice over the next two weeks. Why that’s important is because these are the two teams that have played better than anyone else so far. The Calgary Stampeders are now in first place in the West Division while the Eskimos are tied for second.
The odds makers will also be paying close attention to this showdown because the Eskimos – technically in third because of the tiebreaker – have faded over the last two weeks. After starting the season 7-0 and vaulting up the CFL futures to win the Grey Cup, they have had a couple of surprising losses. First they lost at Winnipeg, which is understandable since the Blue Bombers are 7-2 themselves. However, they got the doors blown off the barn at home last week by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who were 3-4 heading into that game. Of greater concern is the Eskimos defense. They had been one of the best in the business before the last two games. They had allowed 169 points through their first seven contests (24.1 per outing). They’ve allowed 87 in back-to-back games. They better sort things out very quickly or they’re going to drop in the futures and their hot start will be forgotten.
Here is a look at the Week 11 schedule.
Ottawa RedBlacks @ Montreal Alouettes
Odds: PICK
The 3-6-1 RedBlacks visit the 3-6-0 Alouettes, who fell 34-31 in overtime to Winnipeg last week. The Roughriders managed to beat British Colombia 31-24 at home to move a point ahead of the Alouettes in the East, and they’ve had the upper hand against the Alouettes in the head-to-head matchup, winning and covering in six of their last seven meetings. The RedBlacks won 24-19 at home in July, and they’ll pick up another big win over the Alouettes, who are 0-4-0 SU on the road this season.
Pick: RedBlacks
Winnipeg Blue Bombers @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
Odds: Roughriders -2.5
The Blue Bombers are 7-2-0 after their win in Montreal, while the Roughriders are 4-4-0 after a 54-31 rout of Edmonton on the road. The Blue Bombers are 5-1 SU in their last six meetings with the Roughriders, but Saskatchewan have split those meetings ATS. The last three meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less, so these rivals definitely get up for each other. The Blue Bombers won 43-40 in overtime in Saskatchewan in Week 2 and the Roughriders would love to get revenge, but the Blue Bombers are just a little better. Winnipeg has won five straight and Saskatchewan, four in a row, and this could end up being the best game of the weekend.
Pick: Winnipeg +2.5
Edmonton Eskimos @ Calgary Stampeders
Odds: Stampeders -11
The 7-2-0 Eskimos were thumped at home by Winnipeg, and 7-1-1 Calgary held off Toronto 23-7 at home. The bottom is falling out for the Eskimos after their seven-game winning streak to start the season, and their defense has been porous. The Stampeders’ offense hasn’t been great, but their defense is getting better. The Stampeders are 7-3 SU and ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Eskimos, who have lost the last two. Calgary would love nothing more than to put their foot on the throat of their biggest rival.
Pick: Calgary -11
Toronto Argonauts @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Odds: Argonauts -4.5
The 4-6-0 Argonauts sputtered in Calgary, while the 0-8-0 Tiger-Cats had the worst week of anyone and didn’t even play; their hiring/non-hiring of former Baylor coach Art Briles almost created a scandal for the CFL. That is something they don’t need as bad as they’re playing, and it’s a perfect time for Toronto to come to town and pick up a much-needed win. Hamilton is actually 6-4 SU and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings with Toronto, but the Argonauts have won and covered in their last two meetings, including a 32-15 home win in June. The Tiger-Cats are a very bad team on both sides of the ball, in the understatement of the year, and things won’t get any better at home against Toronto this weekend.
Pick: Toronto 4.5
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