Week 1 CFL Picks 2024

MONTREAL ALOUETES AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS, THURSDAY

At Winnipeg, the season kicks off with a Grey Cup rematch as Montreal rallied to down the Bombers 28-24 in last year’s final. Many of the Alouettes regulars return, including quarterback Cody Fajardo, the Grey Cup MVP. Fajardo is 2-8 versus Winnipeg but 34-16 otherwise. The Bombers will be minus linebacker Adam Bighill (injured) but their offence will again be led by quarterback Zach Collaros and running back Brady Oliveira, the CFL’s top Canadian and rushing leader last season.

Pick: Winnipeg.

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HAMILTON TIGER-CATS AT CALGARY STAMPEDERS, FRIDAY

Bo Levi Mitchell is finally returning to Calgary to face the Stampeders.

The veteran quarterback is scheduled to start for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night when they visit the Stampeders in the CFL opener for both teams. 

It will be a homecoming for Mitchell, 34, who spent his first 10 CFL seasons with Calgary, leading the franchise to two Grey Cup titles and twice earning the league’s outstanding player award.

This will mark the fifth time Calgary has opened a season against Hamilton but the first since 2018. The Stampeders are 4-0, with all of the contests having been played at McMahon Stadium.

Jake Maier returns under centre for Calgary. The 27-year-old American was third in CFL passing last year (4,244 yards) but threw almost as many TDs (19) as interceptions (15) and sports a 13-17 record as a starter.

Pick: Calgary.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS AT EDMONTON ELKS, SATURDAY

At Edmonton, McLeod Bethel-Thompson makes his first regular-season start for the Elks. Over five seasons with Toronto, Bethel-Thompson was part of two Grey Cup-winning teams (2017, ’22) and led the CFL in passing in 2022. Veteran Trevor Harris returns for Saskatchewan after missing most of last year with a significant knee injury. The contest will also be Corey Mace’s first as Riders head coach. The club’s past four head coaches were 1-3 in their season debuts, with Corey Chamblin earning the win (2012).

Pick: Edmonton.

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B.C. LIONS AT TORONTO ARGONAUTS, SUNDAY

At Toronto, Cameron Dukes will start behind an intact Argos offensive line that allowed a CFL-low 19 sacks last year. The club has won nine straight regular-season home games and its last three versus B.C. at BMO Field. The Lions offence is led by quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who led the league in passing (4,769 yards) last year and was second in TDs (31). This is usually a tough trip for B.C. but since 2016 the club is 33-17 versus East Division clubs.

Pick: B.C.

(Canadian Press)