Last week, there was absolutely no doubt about it, the West is the best.
In Week 3, the Western Conference won every game played during the first week of crossover play, two of them by three touchdowns — B.C. whipped Winnipeg 42-24 while Edmonton blasted Toronto 47-28. Meanwhile, Calgary beat Montreal while Saskatchewan went into Hamilton and improved to 3-0.
This week, we won’t be fooled again… oh, no.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-2) at Calgary Stampeders (2-1)
Thursday, 8 p.m. CT, TSN
The Stampeders did a wonderful job shutting down Anthony Calvillo and the Al’s last week. After falling behind 11-0 through the first 15 minutes, the Stampeders defence made Calvillo look like the Calvillo we expected before the season began — slow and old. In the end, the Stamps won 23-19 and proved they could win on the road. If the can shut down the best running game in the CFL — Jesse Lumsden and Trey Smith — they could blow Hamilton right out of McMahon Stadium. In fact, if they shut down Lumsden, this will be a massacre.
Pick: Calgary
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-3) at B.C. Lions (1-2)
Friday, 9 p.m. CT, TSN
Wow, it’s getting ugly in Winnipeg. The Bombers didn’t get better in the off-season and, in fact, with the loss of Kyries Hebert and Juran Bolden, the defensive secondary got worse — much worse! B.C. took advantage of that shaky secondary last week en route to a 42-24 shellacking of the Bombers in Winnipeg, a score that flattered the Bombers. Now, Winnipeg is trying to decide if Kevin Glenn or Ryan Dinwiddie is the No. 1 quarterback. B.C. could put a nail in Winnipeg’s coffin after just four weeks. All they have to do is use Geroy Simon and Jason Clermont the way they used them last week.
Pick: B.C.
Montreal Alouettes (2-1) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-0)
Saturday, 6 p.m. CT, TSN
Nobdy thought Saskatchewan would be the best team in the CFL after Week 3, but then again everybody was focused on offence, not on defence. Even with No. 3 Derian Durant at quarterback, coach Ken Miller’s offence is good enough to score 30 points a game. The defence, meanwhile, is as good as the defence that won the 2007 Grey Cup. If they chase Calvillo around like Calgary did for three quarters last week, this one will be ugly.
Pick: Saskatchewan
Edmonton Eskimos (2-1) at Toronto Argonauts (1-2)
Sunday, 3 p.m. CT, TSN
We’ll find out this week if Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray is for real. In other words, if Ray can continue to get the ball into the end zone. Ray has been absolutely outstanding for the past two weeks and when you throw in the amazing play of 22-year-old defensive back/kick returner Tristan Jackson last week, you’ll find a team that can score from anywhere at any time. However, one wonders if the Argos haven’t figured out their quarterbacking mess. If they have, Toronto will be tough at home. If they haven’t, they’ll get their butts handed to them for the second straight week.
Pick: Toronto
Last Week: 2-2
Season: 2-2