Both the Montreal Alouettes (3-3) and Toronto Argonauts (2-3) are coming off disappointing losses but each have since had major coaching additions for the better.

The Alouettes are getting back head coach Khari Jones after he missed last week with COVID-19. Toronto’s brought in former CFL head coach Chris Jones as a defensive consultant who should help a defensive unit that’s allowed 30 points in two of their last three.

Kickoff at BMO Field Friday evening goes at 7:30 EST.

CFL Odds and Betting

Friday’s Als–Argos clash has the highest total of the week at 48.5, but recent head-to-heads show an opposite trend with the under going 8-2 in their last 10 at Toronto. Montreal’s also won 18 of their last 25 at Toronto, and covered in 15 of their last 20 overall road games.

Offence is Montreal’s MO, they lead the CFL in both points for (26.2) and net offence (385.6), but rank in the bottom half in points allowed (7th with 24.8) and net offence against (6th with 346.8). Meanwhile Toronto’s a perfect 2-0 at home, allowing 19.5 points against.

The Argos are 2.5-point home favourites on Sports Interaction.

Montreal Alouettes

Having Khari Jones back should get Montreal’s offence back on track, or back in the end zone at least after scoring six field goals and zero touchdowns on 453 yards of offence in Week 7. Vernon Adams Jr. inconsistencies are unfortunately becoming a consistency though, as the star pivot threw another two interceptions on a 16 of 36 passing last Saturday. Adams Jr.’s Alouettes have by far the worst completion percentage this season at just 54.5 per cent.

The Als instead rely more on the ground game than any other CFL team, rushing for nearly 150 yards a game on six yards per carry — both the best in the league. This makes for a key matchup as the Argos rank second in run defence.

Toronto Argonauts

That stout Argos defence, mentioned above, had a rough time in Regina last Friday though  surrendering 182 yards on the ground in a losing effort. Running back William Powell had 122 of those, and this week Toronto’s defence is dealing with another William in William Stanback, who’s putting up 6.2 yards a carry.

Chris Jones will be calling plays on defence too, and if you aren’t familiar with him, he’s a defensive guru who was putting receivers at defensive back and defensive ends at safety back in his Saskatchewan days. That said, expect Eric Rogers to continue catching touchdowns and not defending them. The veteran receiver hauled in his third score of the season last week.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Alouettes vs. Argonauts?