Weekly Predictor: Will the Riders find win number two?

TORONTO — With the Lions spoiling Trevor Harris’ return, the Bombers extending their winning streak to four, Edmonton downing the Roughriders and the Stampeders taming the Tiger-Cats, CFL.ca’s Jamie Nye ended Week 10 with a 1-3 record. This week Nye looks to turn things around with his Weekly Predictor.

CFL Pick ‘Em returns with more up for grabs than ever before because this season more than $130,000 in combined cash and prizes are up for grabs.*

Pick 30 in a row, win $30,000; pick 40, win $40,000; think you can pick 50 straight? You’re looking at $50,000. *View rules regarding streaks and prizing.

Here’s Jamie Nye with his picks for Week 11 :

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BC @ TORONTO

Ricky Ray returns to the huddle this week but will it be enough to turn things around for the Argos? (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)

Ricky Ray returns for the Argonauts, who have struggled without their leader behind centre. Ray will definitely protect the ball much better than Logan Kilgore but will it be enough to beat one of the top teams in the West?

The trend has been clear to take the West over the East in these matchups and I’m not going to go against the trend. The Lions defense is solid, Jonathon Jennings continues to bounce back and show he can lead the team to victories.

» PICK: BC (60% confidence)

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OTTAWA @ MONTREAL

The Als’ offence will have to look to their other receivers as Duron Carter will be serving his suspension this week (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

My biggest question in this game is who is going to step up on the Alouettes offense with Duron Carter now suspended for this game? B.J. Cunningham has the opportunity to step into the spotlight and that’s why I’m going with him in DraftKings this week as someone not named Nik Lewis has to catch the ball.

It was just a few short weeks ago that the Alouettes beat up on the Ottawa REDBLACK. I don’t think that is sitting well in Ottawa. I think an air show is going to be on display from the boys from the nation’s capital.

» PICK: OTTAWA (25% confidence)

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WINNIPEG @ SASKATCHEWAN

Can the Riders get their second win of the season this week against the streaking Bombers? (CFL.ca)

I can’t explain it. Something happens at Mosaic Stadium on game day on the Mark’s Labour Day Weekend. Whether the Riders are 7-2 or 0-9 coming into the game, they find away to win. We’ve seen Rocky Butler (remember him) lead the team to a win and Michael Bishop on three days of practice do the same.

So throw away the fact the Bombers are on a four game win streak and the Riders are on a five game losing streak. It doesn’t matter!

My only thought behind my pick, that doesn’t have to do with history, is the Riders looked like a much more aggressive team and will carry some momentum from that strong second half against the Eskimos.

» PICK: SASKATCHEWAN (5% confidence)

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EDMONTON @ CALGARY

Can Mike Reilly and his Esks put a stop to Calgary’s winning streak? (The Canadian Press)

Mike Reilly vs. Bo Levi Mitchell. It doesn’t get better than that when you put the quarterbacks on the marquee.

The Eskimos continue their hot and cold play as they were red hot in the first half last week but cooled off until crunch time against the Riders.

The Stampeders meanwhile are looking like a pretty well oiled machine as they just go out and win, continuing to make the plays at the crucial times.

» PICK: CALGARY (50% confidence)

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TORONTO @ HAMILTON

Zach Collaros hopes to lead his team to a victory at home during the final game of the Mark’s Labour Day Weekend (CFL.ca)

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats showed they can compete with the best after their showing in Calgary last week. Zach Collaros is playing at a high level after a year out with injury and the other teams in the East can’t like that at all. If the Tiger-Cats also clean up the penalties, they’re going to be very dangerous for not only Eastern teams down the stretch.

Toronto will be coming off a game with just four days of rest in between and without knowing what will come out in regards to injuries etc from the BC game, I have trouble picking an Argos win.

» PICK: HAMILTON (20% confidence)

CFL on DraftKings

With CFL now on DraftKings, Nye checks in with his weekly fantasy roster. Set your lineup today!

Saskatchewan Roughriders on the Sunday of the Labour Day Weekend = magic. No matter the records of the Riders and Bombers, the Riders do some amazing things. I see a high scoring affair between the two prairie rivals so I’m going with Darian Durant at quarterback to carry some momentum over from a strong second half last week.

I’m also siding with Andrew Harris after seeing Shakir Bell run all over the Riders last week and Clarence Denmark has been nearly automatic for the Bombers and fantasy owners and he takes on the team that cut him earlier this year. C’mon.. that’s fantasy gold!

Elsewhere, Bo Levi Mitchell will find a receiver to put up the points. I think it’s Marquay McDaniel’s turn to find the end zone do well against a secondary in Edmonton that still has it’s struggles.

Travon Van is a regular play now as he gets the ball running and in the pass game. He’s a big play back, who can pile up the points in one play.

With Duron Carter suspended and others hurt, someone has to catch the ball in Montreal and if they have to throw to come back against Ottawa, look for B.J. Cunningham to pick up some points this week.

As for the defence, Hamilton at home against Toronto with the Argos getting limited time to prepare for the Labour Day Classic = solid/safe play.