Nye’s Crystal Ball: 10 predictions for the second half of the season

Well the final eight games for each team are coming so I’m taking a look into my crystal ball with some bold predictions for the final stretch drive of the season.

1. BO GOES FOR 6K

The talk earlier in the season was Mike Reilly on pace for the first 6,000-yard season since Anthony Calvillo over a decade ago. But as the season has gone on, Reilly has fallen off the pace and it’s Bo Levi Mitchell beginning the rise as he’s getting within reach to overtake Reilly for the league lead in passing yards.

I think Mitchell is getting more and more comfortable with the various receivers coming and going into the lineup. That’s going to be dangerous for opposing secondaries in the final stretch.

2. RIDERS STRONG FINAL 8

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are going to give the fans something to look forward to, that being the 2017 season and a move into a brand new stadium. While the wins have been few (1) and far between (6-game losing streak), I think the Riders are going to have a strong final eight games.

I’m thinking the Green and White could end the season by winning half the games or better. Some late season success is definitely going to appease Rider fans and also give VP/GM/Head Coach Chris Jones some positive publicity going into his second year of the Riders rebuild.

3. DEADLINE DRAMA

Jerome Messam has thrived since being acquired at last year’s deadline (Larry MacDougal/CFL.ca)

In saying that the Riders are going to start to turn the corner in the back half of the season, that doesn’t mean they and maybe another team won’t well out of the playoff picture by the trade deadline. That means the ability to make some deals like the Riders made last season with Kevin Glenn and Jerome Messam.

Teams may be on the lookout for some depth for the stretch drive, especially if there is a key injury. I’m thinking the usually-quiet CFL trade deadline could be as interesting as it was last year, with the Riders potentially in the mix.

4. RUNNIN’ THE VAN

Ottawa running back Travon Van is back in the lineup for the Ottawa REDBLACKS and he currently sits 11th in the league in rushing. That’s about to change. While he’s too far back to have a chance at taking the rushing title from Jerome Messam and Andrew Harris, who are over 400 yards clear, I think Van will climb into top five if not third in the CFL’s rushing and be an East Division All-Star RB at the end of the year.

Van has breakaway speed and will add some balance to the REDBLACKS’ offence. If I’m playing fantasy sports he’s a guy I’m playing often in the final eight games of the season.

5. DRESSLER TURNS FROM BLUE TO GOLD!

Speaking of great finishes to the season, here’s one for you! Weston Dressler is going to be the top receiver in the back half of the season. With his return to the slot position for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Dressler will take the role of Clarence Denmark and the production that comes a long with it.

The determined receiver was one of Matt Nichols’ favourite targets in the Labour Day Classic and will continue to be that with eight games to go. Watch for Dressler to reach the 1,000-yard mark in his initial Bomber season, so long as he stays healthy, which I believe he will.

6. ADAMS JR IS 2016’S VERSION OF JON JENNINGS

The Montreal Alouettes are looking for a quarterback and as of right now they’re going to audition Rakeem Cato over Kevin Glenn. Cato very well could take the reins and guide the Alouettes out of the basement in the East Division, but I’ve got my eye on former Oregon Duck Vernon Adams Jr.

Last year it was Jennings who was a first time player with the Lions and got to play as the Lions were looking for someone that they could build a team around. Adams was acquired by the Als from the Lions for a first round pick. Adams was available because of Jennings’ play at the end of the last season.

Now, the Alouettes will show the league why they gave up their 2017 first round pick, which could be a very high selection.

» The Weekly Say: Is the Als’ QB change the right move?

Rakeem Cato is getting his shot at the helm of the Alouette offence (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

7. BOMBERS RETURN EAST

If the season ended today, the crossover would be in effect and it would be the Eskimos crossing over. I don’t think the West Division will be able to tame the Eskimos for long.

The Bombers, meanwhile, have a very tough schedule but I think will be able to keep themselves above the Argonauts and Alouettes. Call it a return to the East, where the Bombers spent many years.

8. EASTERN FINAL – BOMBERS VS. TIGER-CATS

With Zach Collaros back behind centre, watch for the climb to the top of the East Division for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. They have the playmaking skill on defence to raise havoc over the final portion of the season to overtake Ottawa for home field in the Eastern Final.

The Bombers will enter a hostile TD Place Stadium but by the time the playoffs come that Bomber defence may be even better than it is now. I’m still picking Hamilton to advance.

9. WESTERN FINAL – LIONS VS. STAMPEDERS

It’s been the storyline since the start of the season with the Lions trying to prove they can beat the Stampeders. They couldn’t. In their last meeting and the grudge match from a split in the first two games, Calgary crushed the Lions and showed them that they’re still far behind Calgary.

The Lions will beat the Eskimos in the Western Semi-Final and will continue to improve as the season goes on. The Western Final could be a classic and the smart money would be the Stamps advancing, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wally Buono in another Grey Cup.

10. TIGER-CATS LIFT THE CUP

Is Zach Collaros’ return enough to put the Ticats in the Grey Cup come November? (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)

Kent Austin has had the Tiger-Cats so close over the first three years of his tenure and last year they looked to be the favourite midway through the season when Zach Collaros was easily the favourite for the Most Outstanding Player. Then the knee injury happened and the Tiger-Cats started to stumble.

This year will be the opposite. After an inconsistent first 10 games, the Ticats will find themselves. Collaros will start to look like a candidate for the East Division MOP and the Tiger-Cats will win their first Grey Cup Championship since 1999.