After 20 weeks in the CFL:
Ted Clarke: 2-0 last week; 42-24 overall
Peter James: 1-1 last week; 47-23 overall
Mark Nielsen: 1-1 last week; 41-25 overall
Hamilton at Toronto
TSN 10 a.m.
James: The Tiger-Cats made an impressive rally to get to this game, but with Ricky Ray at the controls the Argonauts have the edge where it matters most - under centre. Pick: Argos by six.
Nielsen: At the start of the season, I picked Toronto to win the East and advance to the Grey Cup and so, I will have to stick with that prediction even though the Tiger-Cats have made a point of playing well at Rogers Centre and Argos running back Chad Kackert is out. Ricky Ray, don't fail me now. Pick: Argos by three.
Clarke: How can you bet against Ricky Ray leading the defending Grey Cup champs into another final showdown in Regina? Henry Burris is the reason why. He's still got a cannon for an arm and he and his favourite receivers Bakari Grant and Andy Fantuz will rip holes in the Argos defence. Last year's most outstanding player Chad Owens could be a game-changer on the Argos' side but I'm sticking with Hamilton.
Pick: Hamilton by five.
Saskatchewan at Calgary
TSN 1:30 p.m.
James: Injuries along the Stampeders defensive line are a concern, but running back John Cornish can make up for that on the other side of the ball with a most outstanding player-like effort. Pick: Stampeders by two.
Nielsen: My heart says Riders. My brain says Stampeders, even with their recent injury trouble. They have genuine three-player depth at quarterback, their running game is marginally stronger and don't forget sack leader Charleston Hughes. And if it comes down to field goals, Rene Paredese has the better leg. Go Riders but...Pick: Stampeders by 10.
Clarke: Kevin Glenn was denied a Grey Cup ring last year and on a team with three capable pivots, it's his job to get the Stamps back in the big show. That will happen as long as the Stamps injury-plagued defence can limit the running attack damage posed by Korey Sheets and a galloping Darian Durant. But Jon Cornish is a pretty good at that as well. Chris Getzlaff and Geroy Simon could terrorize the Stamps secondary but they will be up for the task. It could come down to the boot of Mr. Consistency, Rene Paredes, to provide the winning margin.
Pick: Stamps by three.
