CFL Week 9 Betting News and Notes

HAMILTON vs. WINNIPEG
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Hamilton's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Hamilton's last 5 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 6 games at home

MONTREAL vs. CALGARY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing Calgary
Montreal is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Calgary is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Montreal
Calgary is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Montreal

CFL Betting Notes - Week 9
By David Schwab

Half the teams in the CFL were idle last week in the first of two bye weeks built into the regular season schedule. For the teams that were in action it was a mixed bag of results. Toronto held true to form by knocking-off Saskatchewan 24-18 as a three-point home favorite on Thursday. The total in this one stayed ‘under’ the 53 ½-point closing line. The second game posted one of the more bizarre scores in recent memory as British Columbia handed Edmonton its third-straight loss in a 36-1 rout on Friday night as a 5 ½-point road underdog. The total stayed ‘under’ the 50 ½-point closing line.

There are only two games on the CFL schedule this week as the teams that played last week are now idle with a bye. The following is brief preview of each game along with the opening point spread and ‘over/under’ lines as provided by BetOnline.com.

Friday, August 26

Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-3½ ) Over/Under (48½)

Hamilton comes into this game with a 4-3 record straight up (3-4 against the spread) and a chance to close the gap with Winnipeg in the East Division as the Blue Bombers are currently in first place at 6-1 SU (7-0 ATS). The Tiger-Cats are 1-2 both SU and ATS on the road this season while Winnipeg is a perfect 3-0 SU and ATS at home.

These two met on opening day and the Blue Bombers came away with a 24-16 victory as 8½-point road underdogs to snap a three-game losing streak to Hamilton. The total stayed ‘under’ the 51½-point line.

The Tiger-Cats are 5-3 both SU and ATS in their last eight games against Winnipeg overall but 2-3 SU and ATS in the last five games on the road. The total is an even 4-4 in the last eight meetings overall, but has gone ‘over’ in the last five games at Canad Inns Stadium. Kevin Glenn comes into this game completing 62.1 percent of his passes for Hamilton, while Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce is completing a CFL-high 65.7 percent of his attempts. Glenn is second in the league in touchdown throws with 12.

Saturday, August 27

Montreal Alouettes at Calgary Stampeders (-1) Over/Under (55)

In a matchup of two of the best teams in the league, they each come into this game with identical 5-2 records SU and 4-3 records ATS. Montreal is 2-1 both SU and ATS on the road this season and Calgary is 1-2 SU and ATS in three home games.

These two split their two-game series last season with each winning at home. The Stampeders rolled over Montreal 46-21 in early October as three-point favorites and just 10 days later, the Alouettes flipped the script with a 46-19 romp as 3½-point favorites. The total went ‘over’ in both of these games.

This series has remained tight over the past few seasons with each team winning five of 10 SU. The Alouettes have won three of the last four meetings SU and ATS overall, but the series is tied at two games apiece both SU and ATS in the last four meetings in Calgary. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of the last six games overall and in the last four at McMahon Stadium. Montreal running back Brandon Whitaker leads the CFL with 566 yards rushing on 85 carries. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo is second in passing yards with 2,095, but has just 55 more yards than Calgary quarterback Henry Burris.

CFL Week 9 Preview and Picks
By Charles-André Marchand

Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-3.5, +49)

Quarterback Buck Pierce is in top form, but the Bombers’ defense is the reason the club is on a four-game winning streak. Winnipeg’s D leads the league in sacks and hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down.

The same can’t be said about the Tiger-Cats, a team that can’t seem to put real pressure on opposing quarterbacks. From a defensive point of view, Hamilton is just not on the same level as the Bombers.

Winnipeg’s stop-unit will be enhanced by the comeback of Doug Brown on the front seven.

Both these teams have plenty of talent, but right now the Blue Bombers are just better. Bet on the home side winning this one and grabbing their fifth straight win.

Pick: Winnipeg

Montreal Alouettes at Calgary Stampeders (-1, +55)

You can’t get better a coaching matchup in the CFL than the Als’ Marc Trestman trying to outwit Stamps coach John Hufnagel. And you can’t find better QB matchup than Anthony Calvillo vs. Henry Burris.

Both teams are coming off a bye week which only makes all of this more exciting. MLB Juwan Simpson is back after nursing a knee injury but DB Brandon Isaac is doubtful and could be replaced by Milt Collins.

The Alouettes are now rolling in full gear and their defense was merciless two weeks ago against the Eskimos. It won’t be any different even in the hostile environment of Calgary.

Expect Montreal RB Brandon Whitaker to challenge the Stampeders’ run defense Calgary focusing in on stopping the Als’ passing attack.

Pick: Montreal

CFL Week 9

Hamilton (5-2) @ Winnipeg (6-1) - Bombers (+9) upset Hamilton back on Opening Day 24-16, blanking TiCats 15-0 in second half. Winnipeg picked off four Hamilton passes (+2 turnover ratio)- they're 7-0 against the spread this year, 2-0 as a favorite, winning home games by 6-5-12 points, with a 21-20 loss to Calgary. Hamilton is 2-2 as a road dog, with losses at Edmonton (28-10), Calgary (32-20). Hamilton's last four games went over the total. Six of seven Winnipeg games stayed under total.

Montreal (5-2) @ Calgary (5-2) - Road team won six of seven Calgary games, with Stampeders losing two of three at home (beat Hamilton by 12 for only home win)- they're 3-3 as a favorite, covering last three tries. Four of Montreal's five wins are by 13+ points; they're 2-1 on foreign soil. losing 34-26 at Hamilton, winning in Regina/Toronto. Home teams won both series meetings LY, with Als losing 46-21 here, winning 46-19 at home. Five of seven Alouette games stayed under the total