That game is followed by a Friday night double-header between the Montreal Alouettes at the Toronto Argonauts and lastly the Saskatchewan Roughriders at the BC Lions. Nik’s Picks is here for you to gain on edge on the lines throughout the 2021 CFL season.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ottawa Redblacks

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: Hamilton -8.5, Over/under 43.5

It’s David Watford’s starting again for Hamilton and despite his record reading 1-0, there wasn’t a ton to like with the Ti-Cats offence last week with Watford. Hamilton failed to find the end zone on offence and heavily relied on the ground game, rushing 30 times and passing 22 times.

Paul LaPolice’s Redblacks have had a bye week to not only bring in some more (and hopefully better) troops but to plan for this wounded Hamilton team. Both Ti-Cats quarterbacks (Jeremiah Masoli and Dane Evans) are still injured and receivers Brandon Banks, Bralon Addison, and DeVier Posey remain out.

That said, Ottawa’s getting outscored by 15 points a game this season and are lucky to have a win, a lone victory that came way back in Week 1. The talent level is still uneven in this one, and while Hamilton’s offence is worrisome they should still be put in good spots by their top-tier defence. Ti-Cats in a low-scoring contest.

Hamilton 20 Ottawa 12

Best bet: Under 43.5

Montreal Alouettes at Toronto Argonauts

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: Toronto -2.5, Over/under 46.5

The top three in the East Division standings is a big cluster right now making Friday’s all-Eastern showdown at BMO Field an important one. Both Montreal and Toronto 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.

Having 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. The Als are rushing for nearly 150 yards a game, which makes for a key matchup as the Argos rank second in run defence. Bottom line is the Argos are more trustworthy, and also 2-0 at home in 2021.

Montreal 24 Toronto 28

Best bet: Over 46.5

Saskatchewan Roughriders at BC Lions

CFL Odds and Point Spreads: Pick’em, Over/under 43.5

A pair of 4-2 clubs face off to close out the week, headlined by a BC Lions team on a three-game win streak. The Lions look scary good, most recently going into Montreal and cruising past the Als. And before Montreal, Michael Reilly’s club lit up Ottawa in back-to-back blowouts.

Saskatchewan’s got back in the win column after consecutive losses to the first-place Blue Bombers and the Riders seem to be getting healthier. Cody Fajardo avoided a concussion scare and started behind centre in Week 7, and veteran defensive back Ed Gainey is back practising.

Both clubs rank in the top four in both points scored and points allowed, turnover ratio, and rank high in most other key categories. The one outlier is penalties — BC’s taken the second-fewest penalties while Saskatchewan’s taken the most. In an even game, discipline will matter.

Saskatchewan 21 BC 24

Best bet: BC moneyline

2021 Nik’s Picks:

Best bet record: 14-13

Moneyline record: 13-14