CFL Weekend Preview

August 12, BC at Calgary

• Time: 9:30 pm ET
• Dunkel Ratings: BC 106.824; Calgary 116.924
• Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 10; 45
• Vegas Line & Total: Calgary by 6; 48 ½

The status of Lions QB Mike Reilly is the biggest question mark heading into this game. Reilly didn’t start the first half of the Lions Week 1 game against Saskatchewan due to a shoulder injury, but came in at the start of the second half and threw for over 200 yards in a near comeback. 

Whatever the case may be, a banged up Reilly or rookie QB Nathan Rourke starting in Calgary is not a recipe for success, especially against the Stampeders who are hungry to avenge their home opener loss last Saturday. Take Stamps QB Bo-Levi Mitchell to be much sharper this time around and for Calgary to trounce BC on Thursday night. 

Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-6); Under

August 13, Toronto at Winnipeg

Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 109.867; Winnipeg 127.149
Dunkel Line & Total: Winnipeg by 17 ½: 51
Vegas Line & Total: Winnipeg by 5 ½; 47 ½

The defending Grey Cup champs made a statement on opening night, blowing out the reigning East Division champion Ticats. The Argos are coming off a shocking win in Calgary, but are still a fairly new group that isn’t nearly as cohesive as Winnipeg.

While Toronto may very well be considered a possible Grey Cup contender later in the season, the Argos still need to prove themselves more before we can consider betting on them against a team like Winnipeg. Zach Collaros looked comfortable in Week 1 as the Blue Bombers full time QB, and their defense only allowed Hamilton’s potent offense to six points.

Look for Argos QB McCleod Bethel-Thompson to have a tougher time moving the ball in this one, and for the Bombers to cover the spread.

Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (-5 ½); Over

August 14, Montreal at Edmonton

• Time: 7:00 pm ET
• Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 103.594; Edmonton 109.4
• Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 6; 53
• Vegas Line & Total: Edmonton by 3 ½; 49

Edmonton QB Trevor Harris had a bad showing in the Elks first showing against Ottawa last weekend, throwing three interceptions. The Elks defense did a masterful job of allowing Ottawa to only six first downs, but still found a way to lose the game.

Luckily, Edmonton will be facing a Montreal team that hasn’t played in a game since 2019. Expect rust from the Alouettes, and with Edmonton having home field advantage, I can’t see the Elks having a second consecutive bad performance at Commonwealth Stadium. Trevor Harris is a gunslinger, and the offense should put up points that QB Vernon Adams Jr. and Montreal won’t be able to quite match. 

Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (-3 ½); Over

Hamilton at Saskatchewan

• Time: 10:00 pm ET
• Dunkel Ratings: Hamilton 119.672; Saskatchewan 116.966
• Dunkel Line & Total: Hamilton by 2 ½; 43
• Vegas Line & Total: Saskatchewan by 1 ½; 48

Jeremiah Masoli and Hamilton expected revenge in Week 1, and they were expected to win their first game as -2.5 favourites. The offense was not impressive, but they will be facing a much weaker team on Saturday.

Saskatchewan may have won their home opener, but they nearly blew a 28-0 lead in the process. The Riders offense couldn’t get anything going in the second half, and their defense broke down allowing big play after big play. Look for speedy Hamilton wideout Brandon Banks to put up massive numbers in this one, and for Hamilton to win outright.

Dunkel Pick: Hamilton (+1 ½); Under

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