The “Battle of the QEW” is in Hamilton on Saturday, as the winless Ti-Cats host the Argos at Tim Hortons Field. As it is with most rivalries, throw the records out the window. These two teams, and their fan bases, hate each other and tonight will be no different.
A winless team in the West saw their head coach fired earlier in the week, and Hamilton could see some serious changes themselves if they can’t find a way to win on Saturday.
The Argos, on the other hand, are coming off a dismantling of the defending champs, which put an end to a two-game winning streak. With Montreal having a bye week, a win today would bring them to four wins, and one behind the Alouettes.
Don’t forget to check out our CFL Power Rankings before betting on the rest of the weekend.
Toronto Argonauts vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats Odds
Team |
Spread |
Total |
MoneyLine |
| Toronto | -3
-112 |
O 53
-112 |
-180 |
| Hamilton | +3
-108 |
U 53
-108 |
+150 |
**Odds Subject to Change** |
|||
Argonauts vs. Tiger-Cats Match Details
- Fixture: Toronto @ Hamilton
- Date and Time: July 20, 7:00 pm EST
- Location: Hamilton, Ontario
- Weather: 79 degrees, Sunny, Wind 7 MPH
- Field Type: Turf
Apex Tale of the Tape
| Toronto | vs. | Hamilton |
| 3-2 | Record | 0-5 |
| 30.8 | Points Per Game | 24.8 |
| 135.6 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 64.6 |
| 223.6 | Passing Yards Per Game | 336.6 |
| 57.2 | Offensive Plays Per Game | 58.2 |
| 49.1% | 2nd Down Conversion | 46.0% |
| 28.2 | Points Allowed | 33.8 |
| 11 | Sacks | 9 |
| 4 | Interceptions | 1 |
| 59.2 | Rushing Yards Allowed | 86.2 |
| 283.8 | Passing Yards Allowed | 301.6 |
| -1 | Turnover Ratio | -6 |
| 31:33 | Time of Possession Per Game | 29:33 |
Key Stats
Toronto Argonauts (3-2)
With star quarterback Chad Kelly still suspended, Cameron Dukes has done an admirable job steering the ship in Kelly’s absence. Dukes’ numbers won’t blow you away, but he’s been efficient enough, allowing the running game to carry the load. He has 1,004 passing yards, a 72.2 completion percentage, 6 touchdowns and 5 picks. Keep in mind that four of those picks were in one game.
The real star of this offense is the multi-headed running game the Argos have. They lead the league by far in yards per game with 135.6, and four separate threats to run at any time, including Dukes. Their main threat is running back Ka’Deem Carey, who is second in the CFL with 363 yards. He has two touchdowns and leads the league in 10+ yard runs with 10.
The Argos don’t pass the ball a ton, so their receiving stats don’t stand out. However, the Ti-Cats pass defense is atrocious, so you should expect Hamilton to be exposed today. Rasheed Bailey is the leading receiver for the Argos with 204 yards and two scores.
This Argos defense is up there with the best in the league. The are second in the CFL is net offense allowed with 323, and allow only 59.2 rush yards per game. They are fourth in the league in pass defense, allowing 283.8. Hamilton is the best team in the league at moving the ball and not scoring. The passing defense could be exposed on Saturday.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-5)
The Tiger-Cats are fresh off a bye, and no doubt eager to redeem themselves in front of their home fans. In Week 5 they got pumped 44-28, and that score is even flattering. Despite having one of the better backs in the CFL, the passing game is their only real chance to win on Saturday.
QB Bo Levi Mitchell is second in the CFL in passing yards and touchdowns with 1,671 and 11 respectively. Receiver Shemar Bridges is fourth in the league with 396 yards, and tied for third in touchdowns with 3.
Despite only scoring 24.8 points per game, the Ti-Cats have the ability to put up 30 on anyone. It’s the defense that has let this team down week after week. They allow a league worst 33.8 points per game, and are seventh in the CFL in yards allowed with 378.4.
Prediction
Even though Saturday is a divisional game, and it’s being played in Hamilton, this line is giving the Ti-Cats way too much credit. Hamilton moves the ball well through the air, but getting into the endzone is always a struggle, and keeping opponents out of their endzone is an even bigger one. While they 86.2 rush yards against isn’t terrible, the Argos rushing attack is the best in the league, and should be expected run all over their division rivals. Argos -3 is a gift, and we are happy to take it.
There are two Hamilton props I really like, even with them losing. The first in Bo Levi Mitchel OVER 321.5 passing yards at -115. He’s hit over this number three out of his five starts, and the other two he threw for 295 and 300, which is nothing the sneeze at.
The other is WR Bridges OVER 76.5 yards at-115. Bridges has cleared this number three out of five games as well, with one of the games he hit under was 72. Mitchell’s other receivers are unreliable at best, and I expect Bridges to get the majority of the workload.
Toronto’s rushing attack is too spread out to trust a yardage prop. That being said, Ka’Deem Carey is a stong pick to get into the endzone. For him to get six points is -190, which is pretty juiced. A fun long shot bet is for him to get two scores, which is +275.
Final Pick
Toronto Argonauts -3 (-112)
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