Alouettes (6-4) vs Lions (6-3)
Headline: Lions look for a little revenge as they host the East’s best
The BC Lions will try to hold serve on Saturday against the Montreal Alouettes – the Beast of the East and a team that defeated them in Montreal last week and snapped their four game win streak. Saturday marks the Battle of the Best II – one that will go a long way in determining who is the front runner to win this year’s Grey Cup.
Montreal Alouettes (6-3) vs. BC Lions (6-3)
Date/Time: Saturday, September 8, 2012, 4:00 PM ET
Venue: BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC
Broadcast: TSN
Als vs. Lions Betting Lines from Bodog (Bovada if in USA)
Spread: Lions -5 1/2 (-110)
Moneyline: Alouettes +195: Lions -225
Over/Under: 52 points
The Montreal Alouettes are now officially the hottest team in the CFL having won four straight games. It was Anthony Calvillo as usual that was the difference last week passing for 321 yards and two touchdown.
It was a record eighth straight 300+ yard passing game for Calvillo and it came against a BC defense that was virtually impenetrable prior to that matchup.
The key obviously is to slow Calvillo – stopping him is almost impossible. The Alouettes are second in the league in scoring through nine games with 29.2 ppg, the team having scored the most TDs in the league with 29.
Again at the top of the passing yards list, Calvillo needs just 22 more yards to reach 3,000 for the season and is currently second in passing TDs with 20.
However Calvillo has had his issues with BC – in the last 16 matchups, the signal-caller has been sacked a total of 42 times and has tossed 13 interceptions, all against a mere 24 touchdowns which for Calvillo is sub- standard for sure.
Montreal Alouettes (6-3) vs. BC Lions (6-3) Handicapping Preview
The Lions played pretty well last week and if not for a late Brandon Whitaker TD the result would have been different. Travis Lulay went 24-39 for 275 yards and two touchdowns while Arland Bruce finally caught the eye of his quarterback and gained 76 yards and a couple of scores.
That said, Geroy Simon was still underwhelming, Andrew Harris had a rare poor outing and the defense was uncharacteristically shredded – and they only lost by five!
Lions fans are hoping that their team can keep their scorching home record intact. They are 10-1 SU in their last 11 at home and 11-1 SU against Montreal at home.
The Lions should be motivated after getting exposed a tad last week on both sides of the ball and will surely bring their best effort Saturday.
Dave’s Won’t Cost You Anything Free CFL Betting Prediction
Trends To Consider
- Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of Montreal’s last 14 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Montreal’s last 8 games
- Montreal is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing British Columbia
- British Columbia is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Montreal
- British Columbia is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of British Columbia’s last 7 games
- British Columbia is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games
This game is a difficult one to figure out – both teams are 6-3 but both are just 4-5 ATS. But 5 1/2 points looks like too many points in a matchup of the best.
This game figures to be close again at very least. Because of that I have to take the Alouettes who have a little motivation of their own ahead of Saturday’s game.
Remember the 43-1 loss they suffered in BC last year?
Pick: Montreal Alouettes to cover the 5 1/2 point spread
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR B.C. LIONS BLOG IN THE NWSB LIONS CLUBHOUSE!