Tiger-Cats vs. Lions Prediction: CFL Week 10 Point Spread, Odds
The BC Lions expect to have quarterback Nathan Rourke back under centre on Saturday night, when they host the slumping Hamilton Tiger-Cats in CFL Week 10 betting action at BC Place.
Rourke has missed the Lions’ past two games with a shoulder injury suffered against the Edmonton Elks on July 17, and has seen the squad go 1-1 in his absence while tumbling into last place in the CFL West standings.
The Tiger-Cats remain without veteran passer Bo Levi Mitchell, who has been sidelined indefinitely by an ankle injury, and have a mountain to climb to halt a two-game slide, capped by last week’s crushing 44-20 loss to Calgary that puts the team in danger of falling out of playoff contention.
The Lions return home as lofty 7.5-point favourites on the CFL Week 10 odds. The Ti-Cats trail as +280 underdogs on the CFL moneyline and the total is listed at 56.5.
CFL Odds and Betting
The Tiger-Cats rolled to an impressive 41-27 home victory in the first meeting of the season between these squads on June 19, and have now taken three of four from the Lions. The Tabbies have also been steady when visiting the BC, winning three straight, but have seen their past two road wins over BC come by a combined margin of just seven points.
These squads have regularly run up the score when they meet, with the total topping 60 in each contests during a 6-0 run for the OVER in totals betting. But with Mitchell on the shelf, the Ti-Cats have scored an average of just 16.2 points per game over their past five contests, generating a steady 5-0 run for the UNDER.
Hamilton has also covered just once during its 1-3-0 run, and has failed to cover in two outings this season as underdogs of 5+ points. The Lions have also endured some hardship while Rourke has been on the mend, losing two of three while topping 17 points just once, but looked to be turning the corner in last week’s 35-19 win in Winnipeg.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Finding a steady replacement for Bo Levi Mitchell remains an elusive challenge for the Tiger-Cats. The squad has used three different passers in Mitchell’s absence, with Harrison Frost taking the most snaps last week, but generating just 165 yards on 9-for-20 passing for one TD and one pick. Frost took over after Tre Ford compiled just 164 passing yards, one TD, and one pick in a 31-18 loss to Montreal two weeks ago.
However, Ford’s mobility should assure him of some playing time after compiling 76 rushing yards over the past two games. Ford bolsters a backfield anchored by Larry Rountree, who is coming off a 63-yeard performance last week and compiled 449 rushing yards this season. However, Rountree has yet to score in his nine appearances.
BC Lions
The return of Nathan Rourke should give a massive lift to a Lions squad that now finds itself trailing fourth-place Calgary by four points in CFL West standings. Rourke’s return comes on the heels of the Lions’ sensational 25-point fourth-quarter rally that sealed last week’s 35-19 win over the Blue Bombers.
While Kaidon Salter did not embarrass himself under centre, it was the BC ground game that made the difference in Winnipeg. Zander Horvath emerged as the hero, galloping for three TDs while racking up 191 rushing yards while Salter contributed a solid 160 rushing yards.
The only question is how much rust Rourke will have to shake off in his return. The Victoria BC native looked to be settling in before his injury, piling up 1403 passing yards and five TDs in four outings. However, Rourke has also tossed four picks over his past three full-game appearances.
HAM
BC