CFL THIS WEEK

OTTAWA AT HAMILTON – FRIDAY – 5 PM

Hamilton (6-8) can erase the bitter memory of its 34-33 road loss to archrival Toronto on Friday with a home win over Ottawa (2-12). The Ticats are 4-0 at Tim Hortons Field and remain very much in contention for first in the East, having won five of seven home games overall. The same can’t be said for the expansion Redblacks, who’ve been eliminated from playoff contention and are coming off a 41-3 road loss to the B.C. Lions. Ottawa is also 0-7 away from TD Place.

Pick – Hamilton
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MONTREAL AT TORONTO – SATURDAY – 2 PM

Another week, another crucial contest for Toronto (6-8), which outscored Hamilton 21-3 in the fourth quarter last week to erase a 17-point deficit and capture a third straight victory. Montreal (6-8) has also won three straight and five of six games since Jonathan Crompton became the starter, including Monday’s 40-9 win over Saskatchewan. Crompton threw for 225 yards and three TDs against the Riders but Toronto’s Ricky Ray had 431 passing yards and three touchdowns against Hamilton. Ray gives the Argos an edge at home.

Pick – Toronto
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CALGARY AT WINNIPEG – SATURDAY – 5 PM

The Calgary Stampeders can celebrate a return off the bye week by securing top spot in the West Division.

Calgary (12-2) can clinch first place – and home-field advantage for the West final – with a road win Saturday night over the slumping Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-9), who have dropped six straight and eight of nine games overall.

Unfortunately for Winnipeg, Bo-Levi Mitchell is expected to start at QB for Calgary after missing three games with knee and ankle ailments and Cornish – the CFL’s outstanding player last season – has received medical clearance after tweaking a knee injury in Calgary’s 31-24 victory over Saskatchewan on Oct. 3.

Winnipeg will be without one of its top offensive threats as running back Nic Grigsby was released Wednesday. He had scored a league-high nine TDs this season, was second overall in yards from scrimmage (1,188) and fourth in rushing (744 yards, 4.6-yard average).

Pick – Calgary
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EDMONTON AT SASKATCHEWAN – SUNDAY – 2 PM

Edmonton (9-6) can move closer to clinching second place in the West – and home field for the division semifinal – with a win. Saskatchewan (9-6) has lost three straight and four of five games since starter Darian Durant (elbow) was hurt. Veteran Kerry Joseph had a one-yard run against Montreal and could see more action Sunday but it’s hard to overlook how dominant the Eskimos’ defence was versus Winnipeg. Former Bomber Odell Willis led the way with two sacks and two forced fumbles.

Pick – Edmonton

Last week – 4-0

Overall – 43-22

(Canadian Press)