WEEK 7 CFL PICKS 2023

EDMONTON ELKS AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS, THURSDAY

At Winnipeg, the Bombers (4-2) are 28-3 in their last 31 games at IG Field. Starter Zach Collaros is 5-0 following a loss during his tenure in Manitoba and receiver Kenny Lawler will make his season debut for the defending West Division champions. Edmonton (0-6) is coming off a 37-29 home loss to Hamilton, its CFL-record 20th straight at Commonwealth Stadium. Taylor Cornelius will start for the Elks, who’ve lost their last seven regular-season games to the Manitoba club dating back to 2019.

Pick: Winnipeg.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS AT HAMILTON TIGER-CATS, FRIDAY

At Hamilton, Toronto (4-0) looks for a second win against its archrival after a season-opening 32-14 decision at BMO Field on June 18. Starter Chad Kelly threw for 351 yards and three TDs and ran for another in last week’s 35-27 road victory in Montreal. Rookie Taylor Powell starts for the Ticats (2-3) after veteran Matthew Shiltz went on the six-game injured list following last week’s win over Edmonton. The home team is 5-2 at Tim Hortons Field versus the Argos but the visitors have won seven-of-eight overall versus their rivals.

Pick: Toronto.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS AT BC LIONS, SATURDAY

At Vancouver, the Lions (4-1) come off the bye atop the West Division. They’re not only 3-0 within the conference but 2-0 at home this season. Matt Fine starts at quarterback for Saskatchewan (3-2) after incumbent Trevor Harris suffered a knee injury last week against Calgary. The Riders have won five straight at B.C. Place Stadium, but teams coming off a bye this year are 6-1. Fine faces a defence that has 21 sacks (including league-high nine by Canadian Mathieu Betts) and is allowing a CFL-low 14.4 offensive points per game.

Pick: B.C.

OTTAWA REDBLACKS AT CALGARY STAMPEDERS, SUNDAY

Dustin Crum has given Ottawa Redblacks plenty to cheer about the last two weeks.

The young quarterback rallied Ottawa to a stunning 31-28 overtime home win Saturday night over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In his first CFL start, Crum helped the Redblacks overcome a 19-point, fourth-quarter deficit by scoring on a 12-yard touchdown run with nine seconds remaining, then finding Nate Behar for the two-point convert to force overtime. Following Winnipeg kicker Sergio Castillo’s 48-yard field goal in the extra session, the six-foot-one, 210-pound Crum cemented the comeback with a 29-yard rushing touchdown.

Calgary is coming off a wild 33-31 road win over Saskatchewan as quarterback Jake Maier finished 26-of-37 passing for 315 yards and two TDs with an interception. Linebacker Micah Awe – who leads the CFL in tackles with 46 – had 10 tackles (tied with cornerback Titus Wall for team high), a sack and fumble recovery against the Riders.

Ottawa is 2-1 versus the West Division and should be brimming with confidence. And then there’s Calgary being 0-2 at home.

Pick: Ottawa.

Last week: 2-2.

Overall: 16-7

(Canadian Press)