CFL WEEK 6 PICKS 2022

EDMONTON ELKS AT MONTREAL ALOUETTES, THURSDAY

At Montreal, the Alouettes (1-3) play for the first time since GM Danny Maciocia assumed the interim head-coaching duties after letting Khari Jones and defensive co-ordinator Barron Miles go. Maciocia brought in veteran CFL coach Noel Thorpe to handle the defence. The last five head coaches to take over during an in-season change have won their first game. Taylor Cornelius makes his first start of the year for Edmonton (1-4) with Canadian rookie Tre Ford injured. He becomes the Elks’ third different starter in 2022.

Pick: Montreal.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS, FRIDAY

Another week, another undefeated rival on the schedule for Zach Collaros and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Winnipeg (5-0) will host the Calgary Stampeders (4-0) at IG Field on Friday night. It’s the second straight week the defending Grey Cup champions have squared off against an unbeaten West Division squad after dispatching the B.C. Lions 43-22 on Saturday night at B.C. Place Stadium.

The Bombers registered a complete win over B.C. as Collaros finished a tidy 23-of-30 passing for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie Dalton Schoen registered eight catches for 117 yards and two TDs while Winnipeg also ran for 141 yards (4.9-yard average) and a touchdown.

Calgary is coming off an emphatic 49-6 victory over the Edmonton Elks last week. Starter Bo Levi Mitchell finished 17-of-22 passing for 279 yards and two TDs while Ka’Deem Carey ran for 104 yards on 12 carries (8.7-yard average) and Malik Henry had six catches for 150 yard and a touchdown.

Canadian linebacker Cameron Judge led the way defensively with a team-high five tackles, sack and two fumble recoveries, returning one 63 yards for a TD.

Mitchell has a career record of 12-3 versus Winnipeg (30 touchdowns, nine interceptions) and is 5-3 head-to-head versus Collaros. But Collaros is a stellar 10-0 at IG Field.

Pick: Winnipeg.

TOUCHDOWN ATLANTIC: SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS VS TORONTO ARGONAUTS, SATURDAY

At Wolfville, N.S., the CFL stages its first Touchdown Atlantic game since ’19 and first-ever regular-season game in Nova Scotia. Saskatchewan (4-1) will be minus defensive linemen Garrett Marino and Pete Robertson. The CFL issued three suspensions totalling four games against Marino for his hit last week on Ottawa quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Robertson (CFL-high seven sacks, three forced fumbles) suffered a foot injury in the same game. Toronto (1-2) comes off the bye having already won this year following a week off.

Pick: Saskatchewan.

OTTAWA REDBLACKS AT HAMILTON TIGER-CATS, SATURDAY

At Hamilton, something has to give in a contest featuring two winless East Division teams. With Masoli out, sophomore Caleb Evans is expected to start for Ottawa (0-4). He was two-of-six passing for 58 yards and an interception in relief of Masoli last week versus Saskatchewan. Earlier this week, the Redblacks acquired veteran Nick Arbuckle from Edmonton. Hamilton (0-4) hasn’t played since a 29-25 home loss to Edmonton on July 1. Starter Dane Evans has thrown more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (five) this season.

Pick: Hamilton.

Last week: 2-1

CP’s overall record: 17-2.

(Canadian Press)