CFL Betting Notes - Week 7
By David Schwab
Week 6 Betting Recap
It took a few weeks of the new CFL regular season for the favorites to finally assert themselves, but they came away with a 3-1 straight-up run in Week 6 while going 2-2 against the spread. It did not start out that way in Winnipeg’s stunning 23-13 victory against British Columbia last Thursday night as a two-point home underdog, but Edmonton got things rolling with a 30-5 rout of Saskatchewan as a 9 ½-point favorite at home.
Calgary squeezed out a tight 25-22 victory in its matchup against Montreal this past Saturday, but it could not cover as 5 ½-point home favorite. In Monday’s East Division showdown between Hamilton and Toronto, the Tiger-Cats came out on top 34-18 as five-point favorites at home.
Friday, Aug. 7
Montreal Alouettes (2-3 SU, 3-1-1 ATS) vs. Ottawa RedBlacks (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS)
Point-spread: PICK
Total: 46 ½
Game Overview
Montreal has to be kicking itself for last week’s loss after opening up a 17 point lead on Calgary. The Alouettes did get another strong effort from quarterback Rakeem Cato, who threw for 278 yards and a score while completing 20 of his 32 attempts. His big target against the Stampeders was slotback SJ Green with seven receptions for 132 yards and a score.
Ottawa is coming off a bye and it has to be thrilled with its surprising 3-2 SU start after winning just two games all last season in its inaugural season in the CFL as the RedBlacks. Offensively, it is averaging just 21 points a game, but veteran quarterback Henry Burris is still ranked fifth in the CFL in total passing yards with 1,372 through his first five games.
Betting Trends
Montreal swept Ottawa with three SU wins last season while going 2-1 ATS, but the RedBlacks drew first blood this season with a 20-16 victory as eight-point road underdogs in Week 1. The total has stayed UNDER in all four meetings.
Saturday, Aug. 8
Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-6 SU, 0-6 ATS) vs. Toronto Argonauts (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Toronto -9 ½
Total: 48 ½
Game Overview
The loss of quarterback Darian Durant for the entire season continues to take its toll, but the Roughriders also have to place a good bit of the blame for their dismal 0-6 start both SU and ATS on the play of their defense. Following last week’s loss to Edmonton, this unit has been torched for an average of 32.5 points a game.
Toronto fell behind 14-0 early to Hamilton in Monday’s loss never recovered. Backup quarterback Trevor Harris put-up some solid numbers with 326 yards passing and one touchdown throw while completing 72.5 percent of his 40 attempts. It was the Argonauts’ defense that had no answer for stopping the Tiger-Cats.
Betting Trends
The Roughriders lost to Toronto 42-40 in overtime in Week 2 as three-point home favorites. They are now just 1-3 both SU and ATS in the last four meetings. The total has gone OVER in five of the last six games in this inter-division clash.
Sunday, Aug. 9
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-3 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Hamilton -7
Total: 54
Game Overview
The Blue Bombers are off to a respectable 3-3 SU start following a second-half collapse last season in which they lost 10 of their last 12 games SU. Quarterback Drew Willy has had to battle through injury this season and last week against BC he threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns to help pace the upset. He also led the team in rushing with 72 yards on just five carries.
Hamilton has gotten a solid effort from its quarterback Zach Collaros to help pace its 3-2 SU start. He is currently ranked fourth in the CFL in total passing yards with 1,444 yards and he has completed 71.4 percent of his 168 attempts this season. In this past Monday’s victory over Toronto, he completed 21-of-27 attempts for 229 yards and three touchdowns.
Betting Trends
Winnipeg is just 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings and the total has stayed UNDER in seven of the last eight meetings in Hamilton. The Tiger-Cats won the first meeting this season 52-26 as one-point road underdogs.
