Hamilton (2-1) at Saskatchewan (1-2)
When: Thursday, July 5th 2018
Where: Mosaic Stadium, Regina
Time: 9:00 ET | TV: ESPN+
Opening Odds: Hamilton -6/49
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The Saskatchewan Roughriders look to bounce back from a disappointing Week 3 loss and get back to .500 when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 4 action Thursday night in Regina. The Roughriders got the better of Hamilton last season, taking both regular season contests and continuing their dominance over the Ticats. Saskatchewan took a Week 3 contest against Hamilton at home 37-20, as Kevin Glenn threw for 380 yards and two scores, while Naaman Roosevelt caught 10 passes for 167 yards. In Week 13 in Hamilton, the Roughriders prevailed 27-19 without the injured Glenn. Brandon Bridge started at QB for Saskatchewan and threw for 231 yards and three scores becoming the first Canadian-born quarterback to start for the Riders since Vancouver’s Eric Guthrie in 1977, and first Canadian-born QB to throw for three touchdowns since Calgary’s Greg Vavra in 1984. Hamilton opened as 6-point road favorites and they have been bet up to seven as of Wednesday afternoon.
Hamilton had a successful home opener last week, easily winning and covering the spread against Winnipeg 31-17. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli had another big game, throwing for 369 yards and a touchdown as he continues to keep Johnny Manziel on the bench. Masoli boasts eight consecutive 300-yard outings, tying Montreal’s Anthony Calvillo (2012) and Edmonton’s Mike Reilly (2015-16) for second most in CFL history. Mercer Timmis rushed for two scores and Sean Thomas-Erlington added 92 yards on 11 carries. The Ticats’ defense was very strong, holding the Blue Bombers to 280 yards and forced six straight two-and-outs at one point.
Saskatchewan took lowly Montreal lightly last week and were defeated 23-17 as 10-point home favorites. I figured the Riders would be fine against the Als despite not having quarterback Zach Collaros, who is on the six-game injury list. I was wrong. Bridge started in Collaros’ place and was pulled at halftime after completing 8-of-18 for 111 yards and two interceptions and his team down 13-3. First-year CFL QB David Watford took over, but was just 10-for-22 for 108 yards, one TD and two interceptions. Coach/GM Chris Jones said Bridge will start again Thursday but hinted his QB could have a short leash. Former wide receiver Duron Carterer, making his second straight start in the secondary with Nick Marshall injured, was torched by Montreal’s Chris Williams all night long.
I do think these teams are evenly matched except for the quarterback position. Hamilton has a big edge in this one, but the Riders were embarrassed last week and will come back strong to at least keep this one close.
Pick: Saskatchewan +7
ATS TRENDS
- Tiger-Cats are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- Tiger-Cats are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
- Tiger-Cats are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
- Tiger-Cats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
- Tiger-Cats are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up win.
- Tiger-Cats are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 Thursday games.
- Tiger-Cats are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games in July.
- Roughriders are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss.
- Roughriders are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS loss.
- Over is 5-0 in Tiger-Cats last 5 games in July.
- Under is 4-1 in Tiger-Cats last 5 games in Week 4.
- Under is 8-3-1 in Tiger-Cats last 12 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 9-4-1 in Tiger-Cats last 14 games following a ATS win.
- Under is 4-0 in Roughriders last 4 home games.
- Under is 7-0 in Roughriders last 7 games following a straight up loss.
- Under is 7-0 in Roughriders last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 7-1 in Roughriders last 8 games overall.
- Under is 4-1 in Roughriders last 5 Thursday games.
- Over is 6-2 in Roughriders last 8 games in July.
- Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
- Tiger-Cats are 10-26-1 ATS in their last 37 meetings.
- Tiger-Cats are 4-16-1 ATS in their last 21 meetings in Saskatchewan.
