The West Division went 3-0 against the East last week, continuing a level of dominance that saw the West go 28-11 last season. There are two more intra-divisional match ups in Week 3 including a Riders-Ticats weekend finale that pits two desperate teams against one another.
B.C.Lions (1-1) at Montreal Alouettes (1-1)
Thursday, July 6, 7:30 p.m. EST
A solid defensive performance earned B.C. (1-1) its first win of the season as the offence converted two Ronnie Yell turnovers into 10 second-half points. And when it mattered most, Jonathon Jennings came through for the Lions with 301 passing yards and a fourth-quarter TD strike to Chris Rainey, then a two-point conversion to Nick Moore. And the receiving tandem of Emmanuel Arceneaux and Bryan Burnham combined for over 200 yards. Offensively, Montreal (1-1) has been inconsistent so far this season, not exactly an ideal situation facing a confident B.C. defence.
Dunk: B.C. stayed in the eastern time zone (Kingston) after beating Toronto. LIONS
Hodge: Jonathon Jennings versus a patchwork secondary? LIONS
Gasson: Lions have their groove back. LIONS.
Edwards: Defensive back Jonathon Mincy is out for Montreal meaning that other Jonathon could have field day. LIONS
Smith: Montreal’s offence just isn’t up to par yet. LIONS
Filoso: B.C. does just enough to get the win. LIONS
Busby: Not really sold on Durant with the Als. LIONS
Calgary Stampeders (1-0-1) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-0)
Friday, July 7, 8:30 p.m. EST
An interesting matchup here. Matt Nichols threw for 331 yards and four TDs in leading Winnipeg (1-0) to an exciting 43-40 double overtime win over Saskatchewan last week. And his numbers could’ve been even more impressive if not for some drops by Bombers receivers. Bo Levi Mitchell, the reigning CFL MVP, had 295 yards passing with three TDs in leading Calgary (1-0-1) past Ottawa 43-39 as the Stampeders and Redblacks concluded their home-and-home series to open the season. Winnipeg certainly has home-field advantage but it’s hard to look past Mitchell’s stellar 44-7-2 record as a CFL starter.
Dunk: Until proven otherwise…STAMPS
Hodge: Calgary is still the best in the west. STAMPS
Gasson: I think this will be closer than expected. STAMPS
Edwards: I like the Bombers this year… but not this much. STAMPS
Smith: Bombers did just enough to beat a bad Riders team and Calgary isn’t Saskatchewan. STAMPS
Filoso: This isn’t the week the Bombers exorcise their demons. STAMPS
Busby: Can’t go against the Stamps with their offence, even on the road. STAMPS
Toronto Argonauts (1-1) at Ottawa Redblacks (0-1-1)
Saturday, July 8, 7 p.m. EST
Ottawa (0-1-1) gets the chance to face a different opponent after opening the season with a home-and-home series versus Calgary. Trevor Harris threw for 425 yards and two TDs in a 43-39 loss to the Stampeders last week. Brad Sinopoli (seven catches, 133 yards), Greg Ellingson (seven catches, 111 yards, one TD) and former Argos Diontae Spencer (three catches, 107 yards, one TD) all cracked the 100-yard plateau. Toronto starter Ricky Ray is the CFL passing leader with 833 yards but the veteran quarterback has also been sacked seven times. But the defence in Toronto (1-1) has been solid to start the season.
Dunk: Trevor Harris got punished by Calgary and Toronto’s front is stout. ARGOS
Hodge: A slew of former Argos exact revenge on their old club. REDBLACKS
Gasson: Shootout? REDBLACKS
Edwards: I didn’t like the way Trevor Harris seemed banged up last week. ARGOS
Smith: Ottawa’s offence can score, can Toronto keep up? I don’t think so. REDBLACKS
Filoso: With a full week of practice to prepare, Ottawa gets their 1st win of the season. REDBLACKS
Busby: Suddenly this Battle of Ontario has some juice to it. Liking the visitors for some reason. ARGOS
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-1) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-2)
Saturday, July 8, 10 p.m. EST
Tyler Crapigna and the Saskatchewan Roughriders are the CFL’s hard-luck kids
Saskatchewan finds itself 0-2 this season but both losses have been by a combined four points. In both games, Crapigna was in a position to possibly earn the Riders the win. The 24-year-old Ottawa native missed a 45-yard field goal try on the final play versus the Alouettes then hit the uprights from 33 yards out in the second overtime period against Winnipeg, setting up Justin Medlock’s game-winning 28-yard boot. The Riders return to Mosaic Stadium on Saturday to host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who come off the bye following their season-opening 32-15 road loss to the Toronto Argonauts.
The Ticats will be without 1,000-yard receiver Terrence Toliver, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Toronto. That’s a big blow to a receiving corps already minus veteran Canadian slotback Andy Fantuz, who continues to rehabilitate from a knee injury suffered Oct. 28.
Hamilton had trouble protecting quarterback Zach Collaros against Toronto. The Argos held Collaros to 242 yards passing with no TDs and an interception while sacking the Ticats’ starter five times.
Dunk: If no coverage busts occur, Chris Jones gets on the board. RIDERS
Hodge: Kent Austin is deadly coming off the bye. TICATS
Gasson: Toss up game. Riders need it but fall short. TICATS.
Edwards: Two teams on the precipice. TICATS
Smith: Was the bye week enough to cure what ailed Hamilton in Week 1? Partially, but that should be enough to beat Saskatchewan. TICATS
Filoso: Two bad teams, I’ll take the one at home. RIDERS
Busby: Riders are shaping up as one of those ‘oh-so-close’ teams TICATS
Season records
Dunk: 6-1-1
Hodge: 6-1-1
Gasson: 5-2-1
Edwards: 4-3-1
Smith: 4-3-1
Filoso: 4-3-1
Busby: 3-4-1
