WEEK ONE: CFL Picks by Anthony Urciuoli

Anthony Urciuoli - Broadcasting Journalist

Week 1: CFL Predictions and Matchups to watch!

For those of us (sports fans) growing complacent of the limited options that summer has to offer, the Canadian Football League comes to the rescue, kicking off their 2009 regular season on Canada Day. I’ve been presented with the difficult task of projecting the always-unpredictable Week One. Because the teams are only handed a few weeks of training camp, it takes 2-3 weeks to round in to regular season form for most – particularly the teams with a lot of turnover during the offseason on their roster, coaching staff and front office. Here we go…

Wednesday, July 1^st

Toronto Argonauts (0-0) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-0)

Line, total: +2, 52.5

The season opens at Ivor Wynne Stadium for the second straight year. This time around it’s public enemy number one heading in to hostile Hamilton territory. The Argonauts are the small favourites coming in mostly due to their edge in paper talent and Hamilton’s question marks at quarterback but I cannot discount the 13^th man in Tigertown. The importance of the Ticats getting off to a good start at home cannot be overlooked and the team knows it. I’ve spent a lot of time around Hamilton training camp and there is a noticeable difference in overall attitude thanks to the stability of the management and coaching staff. I will be shocked if the Cats lay an egg for that reason alone.

Picks:

Hamilton +2

Hamilton straight up

Over 52.5

Montreal Alouettes (0-0) at Calgary Stampeders (0-0)

Line, total: -3.5, 54

A rematch of last seasons Grey Cup highlights opening night. There has not been much offensive turnover on either side…except of course for age. Is this the year that Al’s quarterback Anthony Calvillo declines and relinquishes his starting job to Adrian McPherson, who by the way has had an impressive 2009 camp? I’m certainly not going to make that prediction. Especially not after Calvillo has shut up the critics one by one and has become the leagues model for consistency at quarterback. On the other side, Stamps quarterback Henry Burris is fresh off a Grey Cup MVP and fresh contract extension. He was the beneficiary of a “should-be” legal supporting cast on offense and will be surrounded by the same in 2009. The initial feeling when trying to predict a winner in a game like this is following the “revenge factor”. Montreal will be looking to avenge the sight of Calgary hoisting the cup on Alouette turf but the Stampeders are well aware of the bulls-eye they’ll have on their backs. Calgary prevails and picks up where they left off 2008. Trends supersede gut instinct for my game total in this one. The Alouettes have gone under the total in their last five week one games, while the Stamps have gone under the total in their last six week one games. It’s a trend that is too tough to ignore.

Picks:

Calgary -3.5

Under 54

Thursday, July 2^nd

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-0) at Edmonton Eskimos (0-0)

Line, total: -9.5, 53

Mike Kelly takes over at the helm in the ‘Peg and has done all he could to put his stamp on the team. Winnipeg is without fifteen starters from last season and a HUGE question mark at quarterback. While it’s great that Kelly is creating a team in his mold, it’s not so great that the Blue Bombers have to enter hostile Edmonton territory with a fresh team and no continuity. The Eskimos have Rick Ray…do I need to go any further? Despite losing wide receiver Kelly Campbell to the NFL, the offense will still be capable of putting up big points – especially with the improvements in the running game. The addition of Ritchie Hall at head coach alone should improve the defense. I don’t think Winnipeg has a chance at hanging with the Eskies in week one.

Picks:

Edmonton -9.5

Under 53

Friday, July 3^rd

BC Lions (0-0) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-0)

Line, total: +1, 51

It’ll be a virtual pick ‘em when the Lions and Riders tangle at Mosaic Stadium. I absolutely love the passion that the Rider faithful bring to every home and regardless of what the matchup is. Saskatchewan is very difficult to bet against at home. But if there was a team that could give the Roughriders fits, it’s BC. The Lions are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games in Regina and were monsters against the spread on the road in 2008. My hearts says the Riders but my gut says that Buck Peirce has a big year for BC and it begins now.

Picks:

Lions -1

Lions straight up

Under 51

BEST BETS:

Edmonton -9.5

Win/Edm under 53

BC -1

NOTE: lines, totals and trends from www.covers.com

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