THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — The real football is finally here and that means a fresh start for everyone. From the Toronto Argonauts at BMO Field to the new-look Winnipeg Blue Bombers, optimism runs high across all nine CFL cities.
The new season isn’t just a 0-0 scoreboard for the teams, however. It’s also a fresh start for fans, particularly those playing fantasy football. CFL Pick ‘Em returns with more up for grabs than ever before because this season more than $130,000 in combined cash and prizes 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 to try and get your 2016 CFL season started right:
» CFL PICK ‘EM: MAKE YOUR PICKS TODAY
HAMILTON @ TORONTO
Can Ricky Ray lead the Argos to an upset win over the Ticats at BMO? (The Canadian Press)
The CFL season kicks off with a new start for the Argonauts at BMO Field. The Argos will feel a warm welcome in a new stadium with some new pre-game festivities. The Argos have Ricky Ray back to full health to lead the way and with a receiving group that impressed last season as new faces to the CFL. A year under their belt, it could be an exciting offensive year for the double Blue.
On the flip side you have the Hamilton Tiger-Cats led by Jeremiah Masoli to start the season. This also marks Chad Owens’ return to Toronto after signing with the Tiger-Cats in the off-season. Defensively I give the edge to the Tiger-Cats, who come in with fewer question marks than the Argos do.
I think this will be a great start to the season with a game that comes down to possibly the last possession, though predicting that without seeing them play is a risky guess.
» PICK: HAMILTON (50% confidence)
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MONTREAL @ WINNIPEG
Andrew Harris will be a central figure in the Bombers’ plans this season (The Canadian Press)
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers showed well against the Alouettes in the pre-season, but we should all know not to base things on the pre-season. Although in this case, I will a little bit. The Bombers still have a lot more to unleash and with Weston Dressler practising it looks like they’ll have their full offensive arsenal to showcase.
Kevin Glenn leads the Alouettes to start the season and on the defensive side Noel Thorpe always has his team ready to go. But I’ll give the edge to the Bombers to take the opener at home with a lot of hope the fortunes of the team will turn around after a busy free agency.
» PICK: WINNIPEG (75% confidence)
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OTTAWA @ EDMONTON
Henry Burris appears to be in mid-season form after a solid pre-season showing (The Canadian Press)
Nothing like a Grey Cup rematch to highlight the first week of the regular season. Henry Burris and REDBLACKS were a defensive pass interference challenge away from potentially winning last year’s championship. They still have a very good stable of offensive talent but the Eskimos haven’t changed much since last year except for the coaching staff being completely rebuilt following Chris Jones’ departure to Saskatchewan.
Insert Jason Maas, who led the REDBLACKS’ offence last year and veteran defensive coach Mike Benevides. That’s a pretty talented staff. I’m going with the champs, who looked pretty crisp in the pre-season.
» PICK: EDMONTON (60% confidence)
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CALGARY @ BC
Jonathon Jennings will have to avoid a sophomore slump for the Lions to go far (The Canadian Press)
In the final week of the pre-season it was a 31-21 win for the Stampeders. While BC looks like a team improved, it’s hard to count out the team led by the guy I’d start a franchise with, Bo Levi Mitchell. Jerome Messam already looks in fine form to have another great start to the season after being the Riders’ most impressive weapon on offence until his trade to the Stamps. Without Eric Rogers, Mitchell will have to find a new favourite target.
Jonathon Jennings is making his seventh pro start and takes on a younger, faster Stampeders defence. I think the Lions’ moves in the off-season like adding defensive tackle Bryant Turner Jr., running back Jeremiah Johnson and receiver Nick Moore will add to an already talented group. I’m almost ready to call an upset but I’m going with the Stamps.
» PICK: CALGARY (25% confidence)
