CFL
Friday, June 26
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Game of the day: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Calgary Stampeders
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Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Calgary Stampeders (-6.5, 52)
The Calgary Stampeders begin defense of their Grey Cup title against the team they defeated when they open the 2015 CFL season versus the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday. Calgary won its last seven meetings with Hamilton, including both regular-season contests in 2014 before posting a 20-16 triumph for the league title Nov. 30.
"It's a great start to the season and will get us ready for the rest of the year," Stampeders coach John Hufnagel told reporters of the rematch with the Tiger-Cats. Grey Cup MVP Bo Levi Mitchell was named one of the team's four captains in 2015 and remains at the helm of a potent offense with running back Jon Cornish, who ran for a league-best 1,082 yards last year before being held to 25 by Hamilton in the title game. The Tiger-Cats are attempting to return to the Grey Cup final for the third straight time and look for quarterback Zach Collaros to grow more comfortable in his second year in coach Kent Austin's offense. Collaros' task in the season opener was made all the more difficult as wide receiver Luke Tasker (team-leading 937 yards) has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury last week.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS
LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Stamps as 6.5-point home favorites and the total at 52.
INJURY REPORT: Tiger-Cats - WR Luke Tasker (Questionable, lower body). Stampeders - OL Shane Bergman (Questionable, head), LB Karl McCartney (Out, knee), DL Brandon Boudreax (Out, knee), WR Kamar Jorden (Out, undisclosed), OL Karl Lavoie (Out, undisclosed), DL Corey Mace (Out, back), RB Tim St. Pierre (Out, undisclosed), DL Shomari Williams (Out, undisclosed).
ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (2014: 9-9 SU, 9-9 ATS, 6-12 O/U): Hamilton was in position to return 22 of 24 starters, with the only departures being All-Star cornerback Delvin Breaux's shift to New Orleans of the NFL and slotback Sam Giguere moving on to Montreal. Unfortunately for the Tiger-Cats, injuries have played a significant role already - most notably defensive end Eric Norwood (team-leading 13 sacks) being placed on the six-game injured list. "Our guys are good," Austin told reporters. "They understand it's next guy up, and the expectations for everybody who plays are the same."
ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (2014: 15-3 SU, 12-5-1 ATS, 8-10 O/U): The NFL also improved at Calgary's expense as 2014 CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Brett Jones is now with the New York Giants while defensive lineman Shawn Lemon (team-high 13 sacks) was signed by Pittsburgh. Pierre Lavertu, who was the first overall pick of the 2014 draft, is expected to replace Jones at center. Calgary also made news in the offseason by signing former BC Lions standout Tim Brown, who logged 27.6 yards per kick return and 11.4 yards on each punt in 2014.
TRENDS:
* Tiger-Cats are 0-5 ATS in their last five games in June.
* Stampeders are 4-1 ATS in their last five games in Week 1.
* Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
* Tiger-Cats are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings in Calgary.
CONSENSUS: Fifty-four percent of users are backing the Stampeders.
Friday, June 26
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Game of the day: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Calgary Stampeders
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Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Calgary Stampeders (-6.5, 52)
The Calgary Stampeders begin defense of their Grey Cup title against the team they defeated when they open the 2015 CFL season versus the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday. Calgary won its last seven meetings with Hamilton, including both regular-season contests in 2014 before posting a 20-16 triumph for the league title Nov. 30.
"It's a great start to the season and will get us ready for the rest of the year," Stampeders coach John Hufnagel told reporters of the rematch with the Tiger-Cats. Grey Cup MVP Bo Levi Mitchell was named one of the team's four captains in 2015 and remains at the helm of a potent offense with running back Jon Cornish, who ran for a league-best 1,082 yards last year before being held to 25 by Hamilton in the title game. The Tiger-Cats are attempting to return to the Grey Cup final for the third straight time and look for quarterback Zach Collaros to grow more comfortable in his second year in coach Kent Austin's offense. Collaros' task in the season opener was made all the more difficult as wide receiver Luke Tasker (team-leading 937 yards) has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury last week.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS
LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Stamps as 6.5-point home favorites and the total at 52.
INJURY REPORT: Tiger-Cats - WR Luke Tasker (Questionable, lower body). Stampeders - OL Shane Bergman (Questionable, head), LB Karl McCartney (Out, knee), DL Brandon Boudreax (Out, knee), WR Kamar Jorden (Out, undisclosed), OL Karl Lavoie (Out, undisclosed), DL Corey Mace (Out, back), RB Tim St. Pierre (Out, undisclosed), DL Shomari Williams (Out, undisclosed).
ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (2014: 9-9 SU, 9-9 ATS, 6-12 O/U): Hamilton was in position to return 22 of 24 starters, with the only departures being All-Star cornerback Delvin Breaux's shift to New Orleans of the NFL and slotback Sam Giguere moving on to Montreal. Unfortunately for the Tiger-Cats, injuries have played a significant role already - most notably defensive end Eric Norwood (team-leading 13 sacks) being placed on the six-game injured list. "Our guys are good," Austin told reporters. "They understand it's next guy up, and the expectations for everybody who plays are the same."
ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (2014: 15-3 SU, 12-5-1 ATS, 8-10 O/U): The NFL also improved at Calgary's expense as 2014 CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Brett Jones is now with the New York Giants while defensive lineman Shawn Lemon (team-high 13 sacks) was signed by Pittsburgh. Pierre Lavertu, who was the first overall pick of the 2014 draft, is expected to replace Jones at center. Calgary also made news in the offseason by signing former BC Lions standout Tim Brown, who logged 27.6 yards per kick return and 11.4 yards on each punt in 2014.
TRENDS:
* Tiger-Cats are 0-5 ATS in their last five games in June.
* Stampeders are 4-1 ATS in their last five games in Week 1.
* Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
* Tiger-Cats are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings in Calgary.
CONSENSUS: Fifty-four percent of users are backing the Stampeders.
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