CFL Odds: The Calgary Stampeders are favored on Saturday as they host the Montreal Alouettes in the season opener for both teams. The Calgary Stampeders had a very good regular season a year ago as they went 14-4 but they were blown out in the playoffs. They will be turning to a new starting quarterback this season as Bo Levi Mitchell was named the starter for Saturday. Let’s look at the matchup for this game in Calgary and CFL predictions.
Calgary is a 7.5 point favorite in this contest with the total listed at 54.
Mitchell and Tate
Bo Levi Mitchell is the starter at quarterback for Saturday but there is also a good chance that Drew Tate will also play. Mitchell will get the first chance to replace Kevin Glenn who is now in Ottawa. It won’t be an easy task as the Calgary Stamepders led the league in scoring offense a year ago. He will get some help as the team has two really good slot backs in Nik Lewis and Marquay McDaniel. And we know that the team has the top running back in the league in Jon Cornish. He ran for a career-high 1,813 yards and 12 TDs last season.
Troy Smith
The Montreal Alouettes offense is now in the hands of former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Anthony Calvillo has retired so it is up to Smith to lead this team. Smith played well down the stretch last season as he threw for 884 yards and nine touchdowns. Smith will have a new receiver to throw to in Chad Johnson who used to play with the Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson is an aging receiver but he did make the team and he will generate attention.
Game Notes
These teams met twice last season with the Calgary Stampeders winning both games. The Montreal Alouettes were a good road team down the stretch last season as they covered their last five. They have struggled in Calgary though, going Alouettes are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
CFL Predictions
I will look for a close game so I will take the points.
