It’s Week 5 in the CFL and this is the one fact we know, the one thing of which we are certain: The West leads the East in crossover games 7-1.
There is little doubt that the West plays more exciting football — right across the board. Teams in the West aren’t as predictable. They try to do things that Canadian football coaches have been doing for years, but the growing number of American coaches working as offensive co-ordinators in the league haven’t actually grasped yet (whose idea was the two-yard out pattern on second and nine?). They run offences with verve and style and they are much more fun to watch.
So this week, after going 4-0 last week, we are going to stick with our theory: When in doubt, take the Western Conference team.
Calgary Stampeders (3-1) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-4)
Thursday, 7 p.m. CT, TSN
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have decided to promote No. 2 quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie to No. 1 while Kevin Glenn has been benched. Dinwiddie will be an improvement if the offensive co-ordinator gives him a game plan. If indeed, Dinwiddie does the job, we might never hear from Kevin Glenn again. However, the Blue’s offensive line is banged-up and very young. On defence, middle linebacker Barrin Simpson, the heart and soul of the D, is out for the year with a torn pectoral tendon and the defensive secondary has been porous all year. Calgary, meanwhile, has the hottest offence in the game and if Henry Burris doesn’t have a handful of brain farts, Calgary should coast.
Pick: Calgary
Edmonton Eskimos (2-2) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-3)
Friday, 6 p.m. CT, TSN
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are living proof that even if they fall to 0-5, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers won’t be out of the playoff hunt in the East. If Jesse Lumsden, the best runningback in the CFL, plays this week, the Tiger-Cats should win. If he doesn’t, Edmonton will go to 3-2. The Eskimos lost to a spectacular Kerry Joseph performance in the final minute in Toronto last week. Ricky Ray and Co. will be just as good in Hamilton this week.
Pick: Edmonton
Montreal Alouettes (2-2) at B.C. Lions (2-2)
Friday, 9 p.m. CT, TSN
This could be the closest game of Week 5. Montreal was tremendous in Saskatchewan last week, only to lose late to the best team in the CFL. Anthony Calvillo is good indoors and he’ll be good again this week. On the other side, this is the week Jarious Jackson will have to prove he’s a No. 1 CFL quarterback. After all, when you have Jason Clermont and Geroy Simon catching footballs, you’d better he good.
Pick: B.C.
Toronto Argonauts (2-2) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-0)
Sunday, 6 p.m. CT, TSN
Kerry Joseph makes his first return to Regina since the 2007 Grey Cup parade, but it might not make much difference for Toronto. Last week’s 41-33 Saskatchewan victory over the Montreal Alouettes was one of the finest performances in one of the great football games played in the CFL in a long time. Running back Wes Cates was absolutely sensational, carrying 15 times for 107 yards and catching five pasases for 88 yards. Saskatchewan, thanks to head coach Ken Miller, has one of the most balanced offences in the game and will likely remain undefeated through Week 5 — no matter who happens to play quarterback.
Pick: Saskatchewan
Last Week: 4-0
Season: 6-2
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