Not only does Friday night feature a great division rivalry between the visiting Calgary Stampeders and host BC Lions, but each club has plenty riding on the line. The Lions still have a chance, albeit a fading one, at first place in the West. The Stampeders’ win over the Roughriders last week gave their playoff aspirations new life.

As per the CFL odds BC is on a -8.5 pedestal as favourites.

CFL Odds and Betting

Obviously the big deal for Calgary this week is to keep on winning and hope they can leap-frog over Saskatchewan in the West Division standings. But if pride is to be considered as well, then the Stamps would surely like to avoid getting swept by the Lions this season. BC has captured both regular season meetings so far, once on the road and once at home. Furthermore, neither contest was close, with the Lions winning 25-15 and 37-9.

Calgary’s overall recent history against the Vancouver-based franchise isn’t very positive either. The Lions have won five of the past six encounters. Of note, the lone Stampeder win during that span did come in Vancouver last year.

If betting on Calgary on the moneyline doesn’t sound like a smart idea given the club’s 5-11 record in the standings, maybe consider the spread. The Stamps are 8-8, making them a tougher outing to defeat based on the spread the oddsmakers predict. Another factor to consider given the side’s decent defence but uninspiring attack is that the under has won four games in a row.

The opposite holds true of the Lions. BC has a resplendent 12-5 record in the West but only an 8-8-1 tally ATS, making them a safer bet on the moneyline. Case in point, the club is 3-1 straight-up in its last four matches, but 1-3 versus the spread. Yet another contrast with their opponents this week is the over-under. BC’s attack is terrific and their defence a bit less so, resulting in the over winning the day six consecutive times.

Calgary Stampeders

Friday night at home was as big a game as they get despite that neither Calgary nor Saskatchewan had great records. Both desperately needed to win to keep any playoff hopes on life support.

Things looked dire for the host Stampeders, as the Roughriders raced out to a 10-0 advantage in the second quarter and a 13-5 halftime lead. As has been so often the case this season, the Jake Maier quarterbacked offence racks up yardage, but not enough points. Suddenly the third quarter the script was flipped the instant the Stamps recovered a fumble on a punt return deep in Saskatchewan territory. Maier connected with WR Floyd Allen for a rare TD, and minutes later Cameron Judge returned a Jake Dolegala pick to the house. From there the Calgary defence held the fort just enough (they still gave up 387 yards of total offence) for a 26-19 victory. Maybe not a brilliant win, but a win was all Calgary needed on the night.

BC Lions

After suffering a heart-breaking defeat at home the previous week to an important foe (Winnipeg), the Lions went on the road and exacted the same on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The Lions-Tiger-Cats match was one of the best of the season. Both offences were flying, superb defensive plays by both units kept the game interesting, and the result was decided in the dying seconds. BC’s defence still doesn’t handle the running game very well (it once again allowed at least 100 yards on the ground), and maybe down the line that weakness will be their undoing. That said, with the offence they sport, the Lions always have a chance. Vernon Adams Jr. aired it out to the tune of 296 yards and two TDs. Both Alexander Hollins and Dominique Rhymes caught scoring passes. To cap it off, kicker Sean Whyte nailed a beautiful 48-yard field goal as time expired. Make the final 33-30 for the Lions.

Vernon Adams QB got banged up in the game but was a full participant in practice earlier this week.

Who Will Win Stampeders vs. Lions?