Week 1 CFL Picks For Coolbet Canada

OTTAWA AT SASKATCHEWAN, Thursday

At Regina, the Redblacks struggled mightily on the road last season, posting a 2-7-0 record. But they were 6-3-1 versus West Division rivals. Dru Brown begins his second full season as Ottawa’s starter and will have veteran receiver Eugene Lewis available. Lewis finished last season with touchdown catches in Edmonton’s final eight games, leaving him two short of Terry Evanshen’s league record. Veteran Trevor Harris gets the start for Saskatchewan, which is looking to improve upon last year’s 5-4 home record and 4-3 mark versus East rivals. 

Pick: Saskatchewan

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TORONTO AT MONTREAL, Friday

At Montreal, Davis Alexander begins his first full season as the Alouettes’ starting quarterback. He was an impressive 4-0 last year while incumbent Cody Fajardo — who’s now in Edmonton — was injured. Veteran Nick Arbuckle, last year’s Grey Cup MVP, starts for the new-look Argos, who begin their title defence without many of the faces that played prominent roles in last year’s championship. Chad Kelly, the CFL’s ’23 outstanding player, continues to recover from the serious leg injury he sustained in last year’s East Division final.

Pick: Montreal

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HAMILTON AT CALGARY, Saturday

At Calgary, Hamilton starter Bo Levi Mitchell chases his first regular-season win at McMahon Stadium, where he played so many years with the Stampeders. A victory would be Mitchell’s 100th in the CFL and come in his 141st career start, making him the fastest player in league history to achieve the milestone. Veteran Vernon Adams Jr. makes his first debut with the Stampeders, who are looking to return to the CFL playoffs after missing out last year for the first time since ’04.

Pick: Calgary

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EDMONTON AT BC, Saturday

At Vancouver, no one was busier this off-season than Edmonton general manager Ed Hervey, who added the likes of defensive linemen Jake Ceresna and Robbie Smith, defensive backs Royce Metchie and Tyrell Ford and offensive lineman David Beard. Conventional thinking suggests it will take time for the Elks to mesh. Both starting quarterbacks are athletic and dual threats. This one could be close, so the edge should go to the home team, especially with veteran kicker Sean Whyte.

This will mark the first opening week featuring two Canadian starting quarterbacks (B.C.’s Nathan Rourke, Edmonton’s Tre Ford) since 1968 and the first time it’s occurred in the same game. Also of note in Vancouver, B.C.’s Buck Pierce and Edmonton’s Mark Kilam will make their CFL head-coaching debuts.

Pick: BC

(With files from the Canadian Press)