CFL: Montreal Alouettes Kick Off Season Against B.C. Lions

The Als are looking for their third straight Grey Cup but they’ll have to do it without some familiar faces. Al Dannity looks ahead to their season opening clash with the B.C. Lions and the rest of this weekend’s CFL action.

B.C. need to start brighter
The Lions will want to forget their dreadful 1-7 start to the 2010 season, a miserable run which saw them largely written off. Undeterred they went 7-3 down the stretch to squeeze into the playoffs against the odds. B.C. fans will want a smoother run to the post-season in 2011 but they will begin the year the hardest way imaginable.

A road date at Molson Stadium with the defending Grey Cup champions is not the ideal way to kick off the year. That being said, an upset is well within the Lions’ abilities. Especially if this is anything to go by:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DxufWDpMnw&feature=player_profilepage[/youtube]

Replacing Avon Cobourne will be a big ask for the Alouettes but they have significant talent on the roster. Brandon Whitaker, Yvenson Bernard, Emmanuel Marc, and DeAndra Cobb are all in the mix. CFL betting fans should expect Montreal to use a platoon of backs on the ground game in the early part of the season. With Anthony Calvillo back for yet another season and a star line-up of talent at his disposal, I like the Als to win this game with their offense.

Stampeders look to make their mark
A 13-5 regular season record, and with it home advantage for the West Division final, proved worthless for Calgary in the playoffs. The Stampeders saw all their good work undone by the Roughriders, leaving Calgary fans waiting impatiently for another charge in 2011. Having split their pre-season games, the Stampeders kick off their regular season on Canada Day against Toronto. Calgary’s ground game should play a big role in deciding the outcome. I like the Stampeders to open the season on a winning note.

Riders and Tiger Cats can complete home sweep
Having already predicted two home wins on the opening weekend of the CFL season, I’m picking two more. The early game on Canada Day sees the Blue Bombers head to Hamilton to take on the Tiger Cats. I like Hamilton to build on an impressive pre-season showing against the Als and cruise to victory.

The final game of the weekend pits the Eskimos against the Roughriders. Rider nation has endured two straight Grey Cup Final defeats but even making the title game last year was a big achievement. Darian Durant will need to show better decision making than he did against B.C. in pre-season but I like the Roughriders to open the year on a winning note.