The British Columbia Lions, a 3-10 team, are 6 ¹/₂- point favorites at home against the 7-5 Montreal Alouettes. How can that be?

It shows the importance of Montreal QB Vernon Adams Jr., who has been terrific but will not play after he received a one-game suspension for a helmet-swinging incident that took place on the field in last week’s comeback win against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It’s a massive loss for the Alouettes’ offense and that means Matt Shiltz will take over at quarterback.

Shiltz has thrown two touchdown passes and been intercepted seven times in limited action the past two seasons with the Alouettes. I don’t trust him fully on the road in his first start of the season against a B.C. Lions team that does appear to be playing with some pride and spirit down the stretch.

I like the Under in this game as I expect Montreal’s defense to try to make amends for a rough performance versus Winnipeg last week, and I don’t trust Montreal’s offense to pile up points with an inexperienced quarterback against a B.C. defense that is playing its best football of the season.

The play: Montreal-B.C., Under 49.