SPORTS WAGERS
WINNIPEG -7½ over Saskatchewan
The final Labour Day Classic at historic Taylor Field may go down in the record books as a win for the Blue Bombers but it was the Roughriders who continually shot themselves in the foot on their way to a 28-25 defeat. The story from that game was the missed kicks by Tyler Crapinga and a bad pass interference call that squashed any hope of a Rider comeback. The pressure on the Riders to win in Regina is enormous and they carry the expectations of an entire province on their shoulders when they take the field. This team has been ripped this week by everyone, fans and media alike and 2016 has been written off as another wasted year. Rider brass has to realize they made a terrible decision in handing Chris Jones the keys to the kingdom. That weasel couldn't wait to move up the corporate ladder and was gone before the Eskies had their Grey Cup parade. Jones is an egomaniac and he is the real reason the Riders lost the LDC. After Crapinga missed his first attempt, Jones let him rot as the Riders punted from the Bomber 48 the next time they made it down the field. A 27 yard punt and a major “no yards” penalty was the result of that play. Surely that spot could have been used to give his young kicker a chance to get back on the horse. Instead, Crapinga was a head case for the rest of the day and missed a key convert in the fourth that would have gave Saskatchewan the lead. Jones’ also burned both of his challenges on no brainer plays in the first half and left himself with no options, as his team was hit with a brutal PI call late. Had he had a challenge it likely would have been overturned. How do the Riders overcome an emotional loss like that with this dope standing on the sidelines? They likely do not.
This annual return match has become the marquee game on the Bombers' home schedule. While we broke down why the Riders are unlikely to respond well, this one is all about the line. This game opened at some houses with the Bombers as a 10-point choice. That line was quickly pounded down to 7½ and that's a number we do not recommend taking when backing a dog. Many in the market will see the hook on a key number like seven and get sucked into playing it. Anyone who watched that game last week saw that the Riders probably should have won despite all the negative plays that went against them. Now the Riders are getting even more points than last week in game they should have won and Saskatchewan can cover even if the Bombers win by a converted touchdown. This week “revenge” is being played up as a motivating factor for the Riders. That's all nonsense, as rebvenge continues to be one of the most overused and useless angles in sports. More likely is that the Bombers take the Riders back behind the barn and put a cap in their 2016 campaign. We're not sure what could possibly motivate Saskatchewan to compete here. This game has blowout potential.
EDMONTON +130 over Calgary
The Stampeders took a 21-point lead early and never looked back in a 45-24 Labour Day beat down over the Eskimos last week. It's a game the Stamps have now won five straight years. It was an easy cover for Stamps backers as they were able to relax and enjoy the ride to the window. Calgary was a -6½ point favorite in that one so we find it somewhat curious that the books are giving the Eskimos just 2½ in this game after such a dominating win. The fact oddsmakers will allow you to cash a ticket with a three point Calgary victory is very telling.
After the pathetic performance by the Eskimos in the Labour Day game, we're not sure anyone is eager to back them here. We are, as we like to zig when the market zags. Its recent poor performances in the Classic have left Edmonton undervalued in this spot. Last time Calgary traveled north to Edmonton they got whacked 45-31 as a three point road favorite in the West Final last November. The Eskies also took home this rematch last season as a “pick 'em” 27-16. Now those past results obviously have no bearing on this contest but it does highlight the fact that the Eskies have returned serve when this rivalry heads to Commonwealth Stadium. We're all about playing value and there is no question that all the value is on this home dog. Eskies outright is the call.ar. Ohio is without question the superior team here taking back a price and that is precisely how we’ll play it.