Week eight had some very close games. One went to overtime and another came down to the final 24 seconds. All four games were separated by just 14 total points. I went 2-2 straight up and 3-1 against the spread last week. Im now 21-10 straight up and 19-12 against the spread this season. This week is hard to pick so let’s take a look at how I see it playing out.

(5-2) Calgary Stampeders @ (5-2) Winnipeg Blue Bombers Thursday 8:30pm ET

It looked like the Bombers might run away with the West Division crown after starting out 5-0 this season but they have now dropped two straight games including one to the Toronto Argonauts who were previously winless before last week. They look vulnerable and it doesn’t get any easier against a Stamps team that just continues to find ways to win. The Bombers have to get back to balanced football on offence and stifling defence if they want to get back in the win column. For Calgary, Bo Levi Mitchell was close but they will let him sit out one more week before coming off the injured reserve next week against Montreal. It will be Nick Arbuckle’s sixth start and a win would have him finish 5-1 over this six game stretch. I think the Stamps keep it close but the Bombers find a way to win.

Prediction: Blue Bombers win 27-25

(4-3) Saskatchewan Roughriders @ (3-3) Montreal Alouettes Friday 7:00pm ET

The Riders have won three in a row after taking down Hamilton last week. Cody Fajardo looks calm in the pocket, can run when needed and it truly feels like he has the tools to be a franchise QB for the future in Riderville. There are some injuries on the defensive line which could cause problems but they should have enough depth to survive the week. For Montreal in-game injuries and a bye week may have slowed them down against Ottawa but they had plenty of opportunities to win. There will be no Vernon Adams jr. or William Stanback and I don’t know if the Al’s will recover from that. I think the Riders win a sloppy low scoring game.

Prediction: Roughriders win 20-16

(3-4) Ottawa Redblacks @ (4-3) Edmonton Eskimos Friday 10:00pm ET

The Redblacks got a much needed win against Montreal last week in overtime. They had lost four straight and a loss would have put a significant gap between Montreal and Ottawa for second in the East. They need Dominique Davis to play like he did the first few weeks to have a shot against Edmonton. For the Esk’s they lost to the Stamps in the battle of Alberta. Their offence couldn’t get a whole lot done consistently and it was ultimately their demise. This week the offence needs to get C.J. Gable the ball more and get their offence back to where it can be. I think Edmonton gets back in the win column against Ottawa

Prediction: Eskimos win 31-26

(1-6) B.C. Lions @ (5-2) Hamilton Tiger-Cats Saturday 7:00pm ET

The Lions got a bye so hopefully they figured out how to protect Mike Reilly and play a little better on defence. They have been brutal this year and a loss this week could mean curtains for the season. For Hamilton the loss of Jeremiah Masoli really put a wrench in their plans to run away with the East. Dane Evans looked uncertain the pocket last week and will definitely need to be better. The defence is good in Hamilton but they need the offence to put some points on the board. I think the Ti-cats win an ugly one

Prediction: Tiger-Cats win 23-17

Point Spread Betting Odds (Bodog)

(2-2 straight up, 3-1 against the spread last week , 21-10 straight up and 19-12 against the spread this season)

Calgary @ Winnipeg: Take Calgary +7.

Saskatchewan @ Montreal: Take Saskatchewan -2.5.

Ottawa @ Edmonton. Take Ottawa +9.

BC @ Hamilton: Take BC +10.5.

This week should be just as close as last week. there are some big matchups and some players that need to prove they belong. This should be fun to watch. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to check out the Squib Kick Radio podcast for all things football!