Weekly Predictor: Are the Argos due for a Labour Day win in Hamilton?

Jamie Nye

CFL.ca

@jamienye

Well, here we are! Mark’s Labour Day Weekend is here and it’s sure to not fall short on storylines as the CFL standings continue to shake up week after week.

Can the Argos finally get their first win at Tim Horton’s Field on Labour Day this time around? Has Edmonton got what it takes to bring to an end a six-year losing streak on this historical weekend?

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With the first game tabbed to kick off on Friday, here are my picks for Week 12 of the CFL season.

MONTREAL @ OTTAWA

Friday | 7:30 p.m. ET

Als’ quarterback Antonio Pipkin gave Montreal their second win of the season in Week 11, but the word’s yet to be made as to whether he’ll be starting in Week 12. (The Canadian Press)

The Montreal Alouettes kept it surprisingly close in Ottawa a few weeks ago. It was a 24-17 win by Ottawa as Montreal couldn’t hold on to a lead, being outscored 13-0 in the fourth quarter.

Antonio Pipkin gave the Alouettes a spark with over 300-yards passing and two rushing touchdowns. Can he repeat it this week? I’m not so sure they can with Ottawa’s defence being among the best so far this season.

Trevor Harris and the REDBLACKS offence probably feel they had a lot more in them than a 24-point performance against Montreal last time out and I think they do head over the 30-point total.

PICK: OTTAWA (90% confidence)

WINNIPEG @ SASKATCHEWAN

Sunday | 3:00 p.m. ET

Collaros seems to have made himself comfortable in the Roughriders offence, and if history is on his side, the Riders should be able to pull out a win at home Labour Day weekend. (The Canadian Press)

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had a three-game win streak going but now have fallen off with two straight losses. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Andrew Harris was kept in check and it’ll be tough going for Harris again this week against this top-rated Roughrider defence.

The stadium will be rocking and when the Riders feed off the energy of the crowd, especially on defence, it can be quite overwhelming for the opponent.

Add to that Zach Collaros continues to grow at quarterback in the Riders offence and it’s likely history continues to shine brightly on the Riders at home during the Labour DayClassic.

PICK: SASKATCHEWAN (75% confidence)

EDMONTON @ CALGARY

Monday | 3:00 p.m. ET

It’s tough to think the Eskimos haven’t won a Labour Day Classic in six years, but Mike Reilly will be looking to bring an end to that streak on Monday. (The Canadian Press)

The Edmonton Eskimos have been playing the win-loss-win-loss script over the last four weeks.

It’s that inconsistency that has doubt in my mind they can pull off a win on Labour Day against Calgary. The Stampeders defence is so good that it’ll be tough going for Mike Reilly.

Meanwhile, I think Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stamps offence will have a bit easier time pushing the ball down the field. After last week’s huge win, it appears the Stamps are re-motivated after suffering their first loss of the season to Saskatchewan.

Calgary has also won six straight Labour Day games against the Eskimos, so it hasn’t been a friendly game for Mike Reilly and company.

PICK: CALGARY (50% confidence)

TORONTO @ HAMILTON

Monday | 6:30 p.m. ET

James Wilder Jr. could very well be the difference maker in bringing a win to the Argos on Labour Day with a strong performance against the Ticats. (Adam Gagnon, CFL.ca)

The Toronto Argonauts will come off a loss to Montreal with a huge chip on their shoulder and it’s a big game with the Tiger-Cats just a game in front of them on the schedule.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson played alright last week, despite the loss. The Argonauts defence needs to have a statement game against Jeremiah Masoli and the Tiger-Cats.

I do feel the Tabbies are a little bit off from where they started the season, so the Argonauts definitely have a decent matchup to find the win column.

Where is the advantage for Toronto in this game, it has to be James Wilder Jr. as the Tiger-Cats give up the most yards rushing so far this year. Unlike the rest of the Labour Day Weekend classics, I’m not going with the historic safe bet by taking the home teams.

Toronto is my upset pick of the week.

PICK: TORONTO (10% confidence)

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QUARTERBACK – Trevor Harris – I believe Harris can throw for a pile of yards in this game against Montreal. He left some out there in the first meeting, especially with completions in the end zone that should change on Friday night.

RUNNING BACKS – James Wilder Jr. and Tre Mason – Wilder Jr. is facing the worst defence in the league when it comes to stopping the run. If Toronto can establish the run early they can own the clock and Wilder should have a big day. Tre Mason has come so close to a touchdown and he’ll get there eventually as Coach Jones has shown more and more trust in the former NFL star.

RECEIVERS/FLEX – Greg Ellingson, Jordan Williams-Lambert, B.J. Cunningham – All three of these picks are selected for the same reason, going with the hot hand. Ellingson has back to back 100-yard games which jump-started a slow start to the season. JWL didn’t get back to back 100-yard games but did get a touchdown last week and Cunningham has two 80+ games with Pipkin throwing the football. I feel they’ll start airing it out in a loss.

DEFENCE – Ottawa – This week I will dress a defence as I feel turnovers will be coming for Ottawa against a weak Montreal offence.

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