CFL Week 7 News and Notes

CALGARY vs. EDMONTON
Calgary is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Edmonton is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Edmonton's last 13 games at home

BRITISH COLUMBIA vs. TORONTO
British Columbia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
British Columbia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against British Columbia
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against British Columbia

MONTREAL vs. WINNIPEG
Montreal is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Winnipeg
Montreal is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Winnipeg is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

HAMILTON vs. SASKATCHEWAN
Hamilton is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Saskatchewan
Hamilton is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Hamilton
Saskatchewan is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Hamilton

DUNKEL

Calgary at Edmonton
The Stampeders look to build on their 5-2 ATS record in their last 7 games in Edmonton. Calgary is the pick (+1) according to Dunkel, which has the Stampeders favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+1).

Calgary at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 116.134; Edmonton 109.161
Dunkel Line: Calgary by 7; 62
Vegas Line: Edmonton by 1; 59
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+1); Over

BC at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: BC 109.082; Toronto 106.942
Dunkel Line: BC by 2; 38
Vegas Line: BC by 3; 46 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+3); Under

Montreal at Winnipeg
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 121.352; Winnipeg 106.813
Dunkel Line: Montreal by 14 1/2; 52
Vegas Line: Montreal by 8; 48
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-8); Over

Hamilton at Saskatchewan
Dunkel Ratings: Hamilton 108.868; Saskatchewan 112.156
Dunkel Line: Saskatchewan by 3 1/2; 48
Vegas Line: Saskatchewan by 5 1/2; 52 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Hamilton (+5 1/2); Under

CFL Week 7 preview and picks
By Charles-André Marchand

CALGARY STAMPEDERS AT EDMONTON ESKIMOS (-1, 59)

This could very well be the best game of Week 7, when two great rivals led by two of the best quarterbacks in the league meet for the first time this season. This being said, the supporting cast around Henry Burris, specially the offensive line, seems more solid than the one Ricky Ray can count on. But it is never easy for anyone, even the Stampeders, to pick up a game at Commonwealth Stadium. You can expect a very close game and if that’s the case, you have to go with the home team.

Pick: Edmonton -1

BC LIONS AT TORONTO ARGONAUTS (+3, 46.5)

No matter who starts at quarterback, if the offensive line doesn’t do the job, you won’t win a football game. Cody Pickett will try to ignite the Argos offence but how will he do that if he has no time to find his receivers and throw the ball? And how is he to perform miracles when his head coach, Bart Andrus, seems way over his head when play calling three-down football? Calling a sweep on the weak side on a third and short situation last week in Montreal comes to mind. It’s even worse when the entire team gives yardage by the ton through terrible penalties. The B.C. Lions have had their fair share of problems and a QB controversy of their own. But they are a much better team than the Argonauts at this point and should win this one.

Pick: B.C. -3

MONTREAL ALOUETTES AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (+8, 48)

Winnipeg will try to run the ball and with backs like Fred Reid and Yvenson Bernard, they should. The problem is that it is exactly what the Alouettes will be expecting and have prepared for during practice. Will Michael Bishop be able to create chaos in Montreal’s secondary by throwing deep and take advantage of tall WR Adarius Bowman against two cornerbacks that are only 5-foot-9? That might be the key. But Bishop will need his offensive line to contain the Alouettes front seven if he is going to take advantage of that apparent mismatch. The defensive unit will also need to step up to slow down Anthony Calvillo and his impressive arsenal of receivers. The Bombers have the second-worst offensive record in the CFL and are facing the second most potent attack.

Pick: Montreal -8

HAMILTON TIGER CATS AT SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (-5, 52.5)

It’s an interesting showdown in Regina between these surprising squads who lead the CFL in points against after six games. Not exactly what they are used to in Saskatchewan. DeAndra Cobb is a solid running back and he should inflict some damage to the Riders but I doubt that it will be enough. Hamilton this season has played with discipline avoiding giving costly turnovers or taking bad penalties. The Roughriders should make note of that, especially after last week when QB Darian Durant threw two interceptions in a 35-20 loss to B.C. Home advantage should be a big factor in this one.

Pick: Saskatchewan -5

Week 7 CFL games

Calgary (3-3) @ Edmonton (3-3)-- Stampeders won three of last four games, with +10 turnover ratio (13 takeaways); they split couple away games, losing 42-30 at Winnipeg, winning 48-10 in Vancouver. Three of their last four games stayed under. Eskimos are 2-1 at home, beating the Bombers and Montreal, losing to BC. Underdog covered five of Eskimos' six games this season. Edmonton is -14 in turnovers so far in 2009.

Friday, August 14

BC Lions (2-4) @ Toronto (2-4)-- Argonauts are a mess, gaining total of 126 yards last week, with 108 penalty yards, a week after they turned ball over seven times vs Winnipeg- they're 0-2 at home, losing 46-36 to the Riders, 13-12 to Bombers. Lions are 0-4 when they score less than 35 points- their last three games all stayed under the total. Toronto has been outscored 45-8 in second half of its last four games.

Saturday, August 15

Montreal (5-1) @ Winnipeg (2-4)-- Alouettes rebounded from first loss by blanking Toronto last week; all five of their wins are by 13+ points-- Als have road wins by 13 at Calgary, 33 in Regina, before 33-19 loss in Edmonton. Bombers lost three of last four games; underdog is 6-0 vs the spread in their games this season. Winnipeg was -2 in turnovers a week ago in Calgary (23-31), after being +13 in first five games of the season.

Sunday, August 16

Hamilton (4-2) @ Saskatchewan (3-3)-- Roughriders allowed 35+ points in four of last five games, losing three of last four; they're 1-2 at home, giving up 81 points in losing last two, to Montreal/Edmonton. Spunky TiCats won four of last five games (5-0 vs spread), with last four going under total; they're 2-0 as road dog, winning 31-28 at BC, losing 21-8 at Montreal. TiCats are 4-0 when they get 2+ takeaways, 0-2 when they don't. Saskatchewan has 18 giveaways in its six games.