CFL Week 1

Hamilton -5.5

I don't play too many favorites but this is a spot I will buy the hype on the TiCats. Their offense is going to be downright explosive. Burris, even though 37 years old, can still play at a high level in this league and should be plenty motivated after being benched and sent packing by a Stamps team he had hoped to finish his career with. Now in Hamilton he is reunited with George Cortez with whom he won the Grey Cup with in 2008. Burris also has the best group of receivers in the league in my opinion on this Hamilton team. I also caught some of Hamilton in preseason and #29 Chevron Walker is electric and a threat to score every time he touches the ball. This offense is going to score in bunches and I think it starts Week 1.

The Cats have a solid group of LB's but their pass defense is a huge question mark. Two things working in their favor here though are that the Riders offense can be putrid at times and the crowd should be very fired up for this one as this is the last home opener at this stadium plus the buzz that the Cats have created will have everyone optimistic. Defenses always feed off the crowd and if they are fired up they will help hide some Hamilton deficiencies on that side of the ball. The Riders will be better than last year but I think they are in tough in this one.

GL.

Andarmac...How r u brother?  I had a feeling this line would open at HAM -6.  I love the OVER between these two which often hits when they play in the Hammer plus I see both offenses being way ahead of the defenses this early. Ticats will have two key DB'S starting the season on the sideline and they have been shifting personnel on that side of the ball faster than you can follow the ball on Bob Barker's "Shell game".

The OVER between these two is on a 18-8-1 run but something like a 7-1 run here at Ivor Wynne.

 

I can see Burris forcing the ball ( anxious to play and w/ a slight grind to prove regardless of what he might say to the press-he's class either way but you know he will come out flying) and throwing 2 INT's but with a 3 down game he will get plenty of scores with what he is calling the fastest offense he has ever played with.

 

Lots of firepower on offense on both sides especially with HAM and strong running games with both squads. It would not surprise me to see a 58-65 pt. game and we get a very soft total, I feel, with 50.5.

 

In as far as the spread goes I can see Ham covering this right on the line (5-6 pts.) so it wil be a NO PLAY for me. Here's to a great season and great capping on your selections!

Last 13 at HAM between these two sees 10-3 to the OVER and many WAY OVER.

Thanks for your thoughts XFL. I agree with your take and if I were to play this total I would take the Over as well.

The only thing keeping me off is I do not yet fully trust the Riders offense. They will be better than last year but I want to see it develop first. Durant is terrible when under pressure which is why (coupled with receiver injuries) Saskatchewan had the 4th worst offense in the league since 2004 last year and it concerns me that the Riders are starting 5 new faces on the offensive line including two rookies who have never played a down in this league. Playing on the road in an opposing team's home opener really isn't an ideal spot to build continuity on the offensive line. The TiCats defenders should be pumped up and flying around. I am not sold on that unit either but I think they have an advantage at home over a brand new offensive line that has not played a meaningful snap of football together. I do think they have talent on that line but just need a few real games to develop and build chemistry. There will be value betting the Riders and their offense down the road but this is a tough spot.

GL this season as well. Tough card this week. If you had asked me last week I would have played Toronto but I've completely changed my mind there. BC is far better than Winnipeg but laying two big favorites in Week 1 in a league that dogs usually bark early is too much for me. I think it is going to be a disastrous year in the Peg. I've followed this league for a long time and never have I heard less talk about Montreal coming into the season than I have this year. This team is actually under the radar for once.

I don't know about the best group of receivers in the league as there's a team out west with a fine group of their own, even better that last season if that's possible. However Hamilton will be able to put up points just the same.

gl this year mac   going w skatch just hoping hammys new pieces arent on the same page yet and i think durrant has a chance at a decent year with what should be a better o line. skatchs d though   

actually we are both going to win... 28 -22 

GL THIS SEASON MAC

Tabbies up to 7. Good work. Like you , I try to stay away from early season chalk. I got the Over in this one. Burris looked good in pre season.  I'm looking forward to Week 7 when the TiCats host the Stampeders.

Yes I am quite happy I hit that soft line early. I wouldn't even think about touching it now as it crosses 7.5 at most books. Tough week with some sharp early lines but win or lose with the Tabbies I'll sleep well knowing I got the best of it.

good luck 99!

GL