The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders are two franchises looking to rekindle the fire of seasons past. It wasn’t long ago that Hamilton was playing in back-to-back Grey Cups (losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers both times) and Calgary has long been a model of CFL consistency. Things aren’t so rosy these days. Thus, their Week 1 meeting could indicate which side is ready to resume regular business operations.

It’s slim odds on our CFL props, with the visiting Tiger-Cats as the slightest of favourites at -1.5.

CFL Odds and Betting

These foes tangoed only once last season. It was a late-season tilt in Hamilton which the hosts won 22-15, which helped them cover the spread on the day. Then again, these aren’t your father’s Stampeders.

Deciphering what to expect from the Tiger-Cats against the spread was tricky last year. They finished the campaign 9-8-1. As mediocre as that record looks, it could have been far worse, but a 3-0-1 record in the final four weeks (pre-playoff loss) helped wash some of the dirt off a bad tally. Of note, Hamilton was a better away side than they were during their matches at home. They finished 5-4 on their travels but could do no better than 3-6 at home.

At 6-12, the Stampeders were one of the worst playoff teams in a long time, which is saying something given that the CFL’s small number of clubs can translate to wonky sides squeaking into the postseason. Things weren’t so bad ATS given the 9-9 record. Unlike Hamilton, they concluded 2023 on a slide versus the spread, finishing 2-3 (2-4 with the playoff loss to the B.C. Lions). Calgary was neither performant at home or on the road, posting 3-6 records in both contexts.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

One wonders if people in Ticats management are ruing the missed chances of 2019 and 2021 when they fell to Winnipeg in the Grey Cup each season. Flash forward a few years and Hamilton is barely a .500 club. In 2023 they were 8-10, good for not better than third in the East Division before getting walloped by the eventual champions Alouettes in the East Semi-Final.

Changes were inevitable. Orlando Steinauer is no longer on the sideline but president of football operations. In his place as head coach is first-timer Scott Milanovich, formerly offensive coordinator. QB Bo Levi Mitchell and the fans will hope his season isn’t derailed by injuries again. RB James Butler is one of the big names who remained in southern Ontario. WR Steven Dunbar Jr. is back with the team after a lost campaign in Edmonton. He and Tim White are the main deep weapons.

Several former Argonauts changed uniforms to spruce up the defence, such as DB Jamal Peters and lineman Brandon Barlow.

Calgary Stampeders

It’s a bit mad to think that the Stampeders, forever a competitive operation, were a 6-12 club in 2023. Worse, they deserved that record.

It began and ended with QB Jake Maier. It simply wasn’t good enough last season. Despite the lacklustre output (19 TDs to 15 INTs), he’s given a second chance. Behind him is former Ticat Matthew Shiltz. They possess a decent RB duo in Dedrick Mills and Peyton Logan, although it remains to be seen if that will be enough to carry the load, so to speak. The main deep threat is Jalen Philpot. It would have been Malik Henry, but he suffered a disastrous knee injury in camp and won’t suit up at all in 2024.

On the other side of the football they have cornerback Demerio Houston, who had seven INTs for Winnipeg last season. 2017’s number two overall draft pick LB Cameron Judge is also back to lend backbone to the defence.

Who Will Win Tiger-Cats vs. Stampeders?