The 2024 CFL season kicks off Thursday, June 6 in Winnipeg with a Grey Cup rematch between the Blue Bombers and the defending champion Montreal Alouettes.

The Bombers were heavy favourites entering the 110th Grey Cup last year, but a strong second half led to a surprise 28-24 Montreal victory. Can Winnipeg earn some revenge in Week 1, or will the Alouettes prove last year’s team wasn’t a one-hit wonder?

The Blue Bombers opened as 6.5-point favourites to win on the CFL odds, with the total set at 47.5.

CFL Odds and Betting

Winnipeg took both regular season meetings between the teams last year, winning 17-3 in Montreal in Week 4 before blowing out the Als 47-17 at home in Week 12. Of course, Montreal won the most important game as 8.5-point underdogs in the 110th Grey Cup. It was the Alouettes’ eighth Grey Cup victory in franchise history and the fourth straight year the Blue Bombers reached the final.

Just like last year, Winnipeg enters the 2024 season as a sizeable favourite to win the Grey Cup at +200 on the CFL futures board. Montreal has the second-shortest odds at +500. Both teams are favoured to win their respective divisions, with the Bombers sitting at -130 to take the West and the Als at +130 to top the East.

Winnipeg’s season win total is the highest in the league at 12.5, with the Over a -135 favourite. Montreal is set at 10.5 wins, with the Under a slight -115 favourite. Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros has the second-shortest odds to win Most Outstanding Player at +650 and running back Brady Oliveira has the third-shortest at +850.

Montreal Alouettes

Montreal had an incredible second half turnaround last year, winning their final eight regular season games before upsetting both the Argonauts in the East final and the Bombers in the Grey Cup. The Als, who began the 2023 season at a lofty +800 to win the East Division, trailed by a touchdown at halftime in the Grey Cup and scored the winning touchdown with just 13 seconds left in the game.

Defence was key for Montreal last year and they’re bringing back mostly the same unit in 2024. Tyrice Beverette is back after finishing third in the CFL last season with 109 tackles and leading the league with four fumble recoveries. Another key returning player is Marc-Antoine Dequoy, who was tied for second in the CFL in both interceptions (five) and forced fumbles (three). The Alouettes 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 off-season 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. Veteran Cody Fajardo is returning, but he doesn’t have a great arm and he’s not a quarterback who will steal a win. Fajardo finished last year with 14 passing touchdowns, 3,847 passing yards and 12 interceptions.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

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, but lost to Toronto in 2022 and Montreal last year.

Winnipeg is led by quarterback Zach Collaros, who finished first in the CFL with 33 passing touchdowns last year and ranked 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.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Alouettes vs. Blue Bombers?