Zach Collaros and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were massive favourites heading into the 2023 Grey Cup game, but a big second half by the Cody Fajardo-led Alouettes led to a 27-24 Montreal win.

Despite losing in each of the last two Grey Cup games, but Bombers are the early favourites to win in 2024 as they search for their second Grey Cup since 2021. With the regular season kicking off with a Grey Cup rematch in Winnipeg next week, let’s look ahead at the 2024 season.

2024 Grey Cup odds

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+200)

Despite coming up short the last two years, it’s still extremely impressive that Winnipeg has played in four straight Grey Cup games. The Blue Bombers won in 2019 and again in 2021 after the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID.

Winnipeg is led by quarterback Zach Collaros, who led the CFL with 33 passing touchdowns last year and finished second in passing yards with 4,252. Running back Brady Oliveira, who led the CFL in both rushing yards (1,534) and rushing TDs (nine) last year, and wideout Dalton Schoen, who had a CFL-high 10 receiving TDs in 2023, complete the attack.

The defensive side of the ball for Winnipeg took a hit in the off-season with interior lineman Ricky Walker not re-signing and defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat retiring. There’s still plenty of positives, however, as three-time CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Adam Bighill is once again anchoring the linebackers. The Bombers also have an experienced secondary that will make life tough on opposing offences.

Montreal Alouettes (+500)

The defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes were big underdogs throughout the playoffs last year after going 11-7 in the regular season, but they came out on top and rewarded loyal bettors handsomely. The Als were 8.5-point underdogs in the 110th Grey Cup and you could have got them at +800 to win the East Division before the start of last season.

Defence was key for Montreal last year and they’re bringing back mostly the same unit in 2024. They were also able to make a major improvement to their defensive line by adding Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, Dylan Wynn, and Derek Wiggan.

There were two big losses for the Alouettes on offence. Top receiver Austin Mack is now in the NFL and All-Star running back William Stanback signed with the B.C. Lions. Cody Fajardo is returning, but he doesn’t have a great arm and he’s not a quarterback who will steal a win. If you’re betting on Montreal games, keep in mind they likely will be low scoring.

Toronto Argonauts (+550)

After winning the Grey Cup in 2022 and dominating the regular season with a CFL-best 16-2 record last year, plenty of people though the Toronto Argonauts were destined to meet Winnipeg in the Grey Cup. Unfortunately, the Argos were upset by Montreal in the East Finals, ending a historically great season.

Obviously the big grey area concerning Toronto is the status of reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player Chad Kelly, who is suspended for at least the first nine games of the season due to sexual harassment. The Argos signed veteran quarterback Nick Arbuckle and they also have last year’s backup Cameron Dukes, but neither option is a good long-term fit.

Toronto has plenty of returning talent on defence. They were also able to add former Edmonton defensive end Jake Ceresna, who finished second in the CFL with 12 sacks last season. On the sidelines, the Boatmen also lost defensive coordinator Corey Mace and now have first-time play-callers William Fields and Kevin Eiblen sharing duties.

2024 Grey Cup prediction

Let’s do this prediction through the process of elimination. While I give the B.C. Lions an outside edge to win the 111th Grey Cup, I’m out on Hamilton, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa (the RedBlacks will be atrocious again this year). It’s possible the Lions surprise teams in 2024, but I’m not sold on them. If you’re counting at home, that leaves three teams remaining: Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.

The Argos will play at least half their season without their star quarterback and there’s no guarantee they’ll get him back at all. There’s just bad vibes around that team, I think they’ll take a serious nosedive this year. The Als had an incredible 8-0 run in the second half of last season before taking out Hamilton, Toronto and Winnipeg in the playoffs, but Fajardo limits them too much offensively to believe they’ll pull off the repeat.

I’m going with the boldest, wildest, craziest, gutsiest Grey Cup pick possible and picking the heavily favoured team that’s played in four straight Grey Cups, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Winnipeg’s offence is miles above the rest of the league and they’re complete enough on defence that I don’t see a team capable of challenging them. The whiteout might not have worked for the Jets in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but at least Winnipeg fans will get to see the Blue Bombers reach a fifth straight Grey Cup game and win.

Grey Cup pick: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+200)

Last 10 Grey Cup winners