WEEK 1 CFL PICKS 2023

BC AT CALGARY, THURSDAY

At Calgary, the Jake Maier era begins as the 26-year-old marks his first full season as the Stampeders’ starting quarterback. The team is 8-2 in home openers since 2012 but will be without defensive backs Nick Statz (foot) and Daniel Amoaka (knee) as well as offensive lineman Joshua Coker (ankle). Veteran Vernon Adams Jr. starts under centre for the Lions and is 4-3 versus the Stamps, but B.C. won’t have receiver Keon Hatcher (foot) and linebacker Maxime Rouyer (hamstring).

Pick: B.C.

HAMILTON AT WINNIPEG, FRIDAY

Hamilton Tiger-Cats versus Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Friday night)

At Winnipeg, the Bombers are always tough at IG Field (8-1 last season). Collaros is the one who makes the offence tick, but also returning are receivers Dalton Schoen and Canadian Nic Demski, defensive linemen Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat, linebacker Adam Bighill and offensive linemen Stanley Bryant and Jermarcus Hardrick, to name a few. Mitchell makes his Hamilton debut, as will running back James Butler, but earning a season-opening win in Manitoba, while not impossible, is always a big ask.

Pick: Winnipeg.

OTTAWA AT MONTREAL, SATURDAY

The Ottawa Redblacks will open the 2023 regular season minus quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox.

Masoli continues to recover from a knee injury that forced him to miss most of last season. Santos-Knox, who the Redblacks acquired in free agency, is dealing with a hamstring ailment.

Veteran Nick Arbuckle will start at quarterback against Montreal.

That means Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros will be the only quarterback making consecutive opening-day starts (2022-23) with the same team. Collaros will lead the Blue Bombers into their season opener Friday night versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Montreal will also have a new starter. Cody Fajardo, who helped lead the Saskatchewan Roughriders to consecutive West Division final appearances during his time there, joined the Alouettes in free agency.

Pick: Montreal.

SASKATCHEWAN AT EDMONTON, SUNDAY

At Edmonton, the Elks look to shake a dubious CFL-record 17-game home losing streak. They’ll have a number of new faces, including Lewis (91 catches, 1,303 yards, 10 TDs), the East Division’s outstanding player last season with Montreal. Harris makes his Roughriders’ debut, but Saskatchewan will have to do a better job of protecting the passer after surrendering a league-high 77 sacks last season. The Elks were next, allowing 53.

Pick: Saskatchewan.

(Canadian Press)