3rd-and-Dun: Division Finals, Soup and Mike Reilly

It’s Division Finals time in the Canadian Football League, and that brings with it a number of topics for this week’s edition of 3rd-and-Dun with CFL on TSN analyst Matt Dunigan.

Of the four remaining teams, who stands out as the Grey Cup favourite for the Canadian Football Hall-of-Famer? What sort of off-season decisions are recently-eliminated BC and Saskatchewan looking at? And, with chilly weather in the forecast coast-to-coast, what kind of hearty cooking does Matty D. have in store this week?

Western Final | Calgary vs. Winnipeg | Sunday 4:30 p.m. ET

Tickets: See the Western Final live!

“I think this could be the most undervalued, under-appreciated 13-5 football team in a long, long time. I just think they’re going through these new trials and tribulations — as opposed to resting guys and pulling the reins back, they are sprinting towards the goal line this year. That’s a different mindset for them.

“I think if they can get DaVaris Daniels on the field and (him) be a factor, they’ve got plenty of horses. Bo will settle down, I think it’s going to be a heck of a football game, and I think Calgary wins at home.”

Eastern Final | Ottawa vs. Hamilton | Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Tickets: Get to the Eastern Final!

“People talk about Calgary being the model for consistency, but I really think Ottawa has got to be in that conversation because they’ve transitioned from a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback in Henry Burris, and winning a Cup, and playing in the finals, to the last three years with a new guy. Not that Trevor Harris was new to Canadian football fans, but he’s a new guy. How many teams have been able to turn over that quickly to the next guy up and continue to have success like the REDBLACKS? That is under-appreciated, and not talked about enough with Rick Campbell and Jaime Elizondo being a part of that process.

“With that said, I’m going to take rest and familiarity and winning — which Ottawa has done over Hamilton — and I’m going to say Ottawa takes care of business in their own backyard with a rested William Powell and receiving core. I think they beat them for a fourth time this year. I think it’s Calgary and the REDBLACKS (in the Grey Cup).”

On a predicted Calgary-Ottawa Grey Cup

“I’m going to go with the kid from Katy, Texas, and I’m going to say he gets the ultimate satisfaction and raises the Grey Cup after two kicks at the can. Doing it in your arch-rival’s backyard and locker room — that’s probably as good as it gets. Who knows, and I’m not saying I’m cheering for that, but you asked for a prediction and that’s mine.”

On the off-season QB situation in BC and Saskatchewan

“There’s a lot of talk about (pending free agent QB) Mike (Reilly) going to the West Coast and being reunited with (Lions GM) Ed (Hervey), and that makes a lot of sense — I’d be surprised if Ed hadn’t talked to him already. That makes a lot of sense, but also I think with the situation in Saskatchewan the way it is, I could see Mike Reilly getting a really good offer from them and being reunited with Stephen McAdoo and Chris Jones in Saskatchewan.

“Mike and I believe his wife are from the Washington area, and family’s there, and that’s an enticing nugget you have to consider.

“I think based on what I’ve seen from Zach (Collaros) and Brandon (Bridge) now, I think Saskatchewan could throw their hat in the ring ’cause that is really the only missing ingredient with that football team at this point. Having a guy that’s been there, knows how to get it done — Mike is sitting in a pretty nice spot, his dance card is full right now.”

Recipe: Dump-it-in Beef and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

1 lb. cubed beef, 8 cups of water, 2 large cans of diced tomatoes, 1 can whole-kernel corn, 1 can cut green beans, 1 can field or purple hull peas, 1 medium onion (chopped), 1/2 small package spaghetti (broken), 1 pkg frozen okra, 1/2 cup rice, 4-5 medium-to-large potatoes, salt and pepper

Directions

In a large soup pot, add beef, water, tomatoes, onions, salt and pepper.

Boil until meat is tender.

Add beans, corn, peas and potatoes. Cook 20-25 minutes tender.

Matty D. says: “This is my mother-in-law Jo Ann Hudgins’ recipe! This soup/stew is frickin’ amazing and I can attest to the fact, as I’ve been enjoying it for approximately 35 years!”

Be sure to follow Matt Dunigan on Twitter, and catch him on the CFL on TSN panel throughout the Shaw Road to the Grey Cup.