Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
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Mark’s Labour Day Weekend is here!
And we have three of the best rivalries in Canadian sport to enter September.
It all begins with a Sunday classic in Regina as the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-3) host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-2).
This is the first time the Bombers and Riders have battled during a Labour Day Weekend as top teams in the same division since 1954. It’s also the first time since 1966 the teams entered this weekend as the top teams in the West, though they didn’t play each other that Labour Day Weekend.
Two problems with this rivalry is Matt Nichols and Andrew Harris will not play for the Bombers. The Bombers survived with Chris Streveler running the offence last week but he relied heavily on Harris.
The Roughriders, meanwhile, are hoping for a sixth straight win and make next week’s Banjo Bowl the ultimate battle for top spot in the West.
Monday’s double header starts with Toronto visiting Hamilton. Toronto nearly knocked off the Alouettes last week and McLeod Bethel-Thompson looked solid at quarterback.
Is Toronto gaining enough confidence to knock off the Tiger-Cats?
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Also the Tiger-Cats offence has slowed down with Dane Evans at quarterback but they continue to ride an 8-2 record into a game against Toronto.
Best thing about Labour Day games, however, is you can throw out the records as we’ve seen 7-1 lost to 1-7 before in these games.
The long weekend wraps up with two Alberta teams with a lot to prove.
Edmonton (6-4) and Calgary (5-4) are being doubted by some on whether or not they are even in the contender category. A big win by either side will go a long way to prove that they are.
It was just a month ago the Eskimos came into Calgary and impressed offensively but couldn’t convert touchdowns in a 24-18 loss. Finishing drives is the biggest problem facing the Eskimos right now.
Calgary comes off a bye week with a two-game losing streak and hoping to get either a spark or Bo Levi Mitchell back soon.
For more CFL game odds search for LeoVegas.
Winnipeg at Saskatchewan
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Favourite: Saskatchewan (-5.5)
O/U: 47.5 points
Can the Riders defence slow down Chris Streveler and keep him in the pocket? (The Canadian Press)
The Bombers survived game one without Matt Nichols but now their number one weapon on offence, Andrew Harris, is also missing. The suspension handed down to Harris is a giant blow and should help the Riders try and slow down the read option Chris Streveler excelled with last week in Edmonton.
Willie Jefferson and his defensive teammaters are going to have to be sensational to slow down the Roughriders offence or this could be another long trip to Regina for the Bombers.
The Roughriders are streaking with five-straight wins and everything is going their way. The Riders needs to be ready for Streveler running or it will be a long night for Saskatchewan’s defence.
PICK: SASKATCHEWAN (75 confidence bonus)
Toronto at Hamilton
Monday, 1:00 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Favourite: Hamilton (-11.5)
O/U: 51.5 points
McLeod Bethel-Thompson and his Argos will look to knock off their rival Tiger-Cats on Monday (Ron Ward/CFL.ca)
The last time the Tiger-Cats and Argos played it was 64-14 for the Tiger-Cats but this is an Argo team that appears to be figuring out the right mix of players.
Hamilton just hasn’t been the same since Jeremiah Masoli‘s season ended a few weeks ago and you’d think the back-up couldn’t put together a successful season.
However, Cody Fajardo, Nick Arbuckle and Vernon Adams Jr. have been able to overcome and led their teams to success, I think Dane Evans could be one of those guys but he hasn’t shown a heck of a lot.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson is holding on to the starting job after lighting it up last week, despite a loss.
Toronto’s defence is in desperate need to improve and if they want to chase down either Calgary or Ottawa to fight for playoff spots, they need to see some playmakers emerge on that side of the ball.
PICK: TORONTO (0 confidence bonus)
Edmonton at Calgary
Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Favourite: Calgary (-3.5)
O/U: 48.5 points
Trevor Harris and the Eskimos will need to finish drives if they want to defeat the Stampeders (Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca)
I’m very curious to see what the Stampeders look like after the bye week following two-straight losses. They were devastated after the Montreal Alouettes came back in the last 70 seconds of the game two weeks ago.
Now it’s the rivalry of the Eskimos that the Stampeders have to fight. Earlier in the season, Trevor Harris threw the ball very weak against Calgary and the Stamps almost had half the yards Edmonton did.
The Eskimos seemingly can’t finish a drive with touchdowns.
I do like Edmonton’s chances after the solid game at McMahon a month ago.
Both teams can improve their chances at a home playoff game with a win to keep pace with Saskatchewan and Winnipeg at the top of the West Standings.
PICK: EDMONTON (35 confidence bonus)
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Week 12 lineup:
