CFL THIS WEEK

MONTREAL AT EDMONTON – FRIDAY 7 PM

These are indeed heady times for Jonathan Crompton and the Montreal Alouettes.

Crompton rallied Montreal to a 38-31 home win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last weekend, the first time since last season the Als (3-7) had registered consecutive victories. What’s more, they moved into a tie with the Toronto Argonauts atop the East Division standings.

And they did it by outscoring Hamilton 31-10 in the second half. Crompton, in his second CFL start, finished 18-of-27 passing for 206 yards with a TD and an interception.

But it was James Rodgers who delivered the key blow, his 82-yard punt-return TD breaking a 24-24 tie and giving Montreal a lead it would never relinquish.

The Alouettes’ defence also figured prominently, sacking Hamilton quarterback Zach Collaros five times and intercepting him once.

But Crompton and the Als certainly face a stiff test Friday night when they visit an Edmonton Eskimos team that’s dropped two straight.

Edmonton (7-3) lost a Labour Day home-and-home series with the Calgary Stampeders and is 0-3 this season against its provincial rival. After dropping a 28-13 decision at McMahon Stadium, the Eskimos lost 41-34 last Saturday.

The Eskimos’ defence had trouble stopping Calgary running back Jon Cornish in both games. Cornish rushed for 163 yards in the Labour Day contest, then ran for 109 yards Saturday.

Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 468 total yards in the two games but still improved to 12-1, the best record to start a career in CFL history.

Unfortunately for Montreal, it has neither timing nor history on its side.

Edmonton won the previous meeting this season 33-23 in Montreal and is 5-0 versus East Division clubs. There’s also the matter of the Eskimos seeking redemption following their struggles against Calgary.

Quarterback Mike Reilly missed both games against Calgary with a thumb injury but backup Matt Nicholls was 25-of-43 passing for 333 yards and three TDs on Saturday. Despite the losses to Calgary, Edmonton’s defence remains one of the CFL’s best and the expectation is the unit returns to that level here.

Pick – Edmonton
_______________________________________

TORONTO AT CALGARY – SATURDAY 5 PM

A potentially dangerous game for Calgary (9-1) following its Labour Day sweep of Edmonton. Toronto (3-7) comes off the bye week and could have veteran slotbacks Andre Durie and Chad Owens back. That would be good news for quarterback Ricky Ray, who has dealt with a relatively inexperienced receiving corps for most of the season yet only relinquished the CFL passing lead to Winnipeg’s Drew Willy last weekend.

Unfortunately for the Argos, Cornish only seems to be getting stronger after missing time with a concussion. And Calgary receiver Marquay McDaniel stands third overall with 41 catches for 614 yards and four TDs. The Stampeders defences looked so dominant against Edmonton for three quarters before the Eskimos outscored Calgary 24-10 in the fourth to make it close. But the Stampeders are on a nice roll, having won five straight, while Toronto is just 1-5 away from Rogers Centre.

Pick – Calgary
________________________________________

WINNIPEG AT BC – SATURDAY 8 PM

Another crucial matchup for Winnipeg (6-5), which suddenly finds itself last in the West Division following consecutive Labour Day losses to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

What’s more, the Bombers are just 1-4 within their conference. And while the defence surrendered 196 yards rushing in Sunday’s 30-24 loss to the Riders, the special teams allowed 16 points in the contest. That’s not exactly a good sign considering B.C.’s Tim Brown is one of the CFL’s most dangerous returners. The Lions (6-4) will be minus starting quarterback Travis Lulay (shoulder) but the offence didn’t score a TD in the club’s 7-5 win last weekend against Ottawa, Lulay’s first start of the season.

That means veteran Kevin Glenn will return under centre. Running backs Andrew Harris and Stefan Logan do provide a solid 1-2 running option although both ran for just 14 yards on six carries against Ottawa.

Pick – B.C.
________________________________________

SASKATCHEWAN AT HAMILTON – SUNDAY 11 AM

Saskatchewan (8-2) looks for an eighth straight win minus quarterback Darian Durant, who suffered an elbow injury last weekend against Winnipeg. Sophomore Tino Sunseri is expected to be the starter for the remainder of the season.

That will put added importance on the CFL’s top rushing attack that features the three-headed monster of Jerome Messam, Anthony Allen and Will Ford. Saskatchewan’s defence, anchored by CFL sacks leader John Chick (13), will also be counted on heavily. Collaros threw for 338 yards and two TDs against Montreal but Hamilton (2-7) plays the first of four straight games against West Division competition, not good considering it’s 0-6 versus Western clubs.

Pick – Saskatchewan

Last week – 3-1

Overall – 30-15

(To sponsor CFL This Week email ridervoice@yahoo.ca)

Canadian Press