[SPEAKER_01]: Welcome, welcome, welcome to worth three down nation CFL picks for week, twelve.

[SPEAKER_01]: I'm John Hodge joined by J.C.

[SPEAKER_01]: Abbott and J.C.

[SPEAKER_01]: I went for it on, not only straight out last week, but also against the spread.

[SPEAKER_01]: And I decided I'm going to let myself mention that as many times as Justin Dunk typically mentions that he's a Canadian quarterback from the University of Guelph on a regular Monday show.

[SPEAKER_01]: With just to say, I get to say it about five more times today.

[SPEAKER_01]: I'm feeling great about being four and I was straight up at against the spread.

[SPEAKER_01]: How are you feeling on this wonderful Wednesday?

[SPEAKER_00]: I'm feeling good.

[SPEAKER_00]: I don't know if you've been checking the Twitter, but it seems like there's a small but passionate group of three down podcast listeners who have actually started the University of Guelph counter to take a drink every time that Guelph gets mentioned by Dunk during an episode and [SPEAKER_00]: I was last told that they blacked out at nineteen because we were talking about the drug arguments potentially playing their last week so it it'll be a rocky rocky week for everyone playing that game but you're you're entitled to your celebration here hodge because a four and a week it don't come around that often [SPEAKER_01]: Well, and when it does, it's usually not both, right?

[SPEAKER_01]: Like, I wouldn't have gotten the four and a, and four and a, had it not been for the wild decision from my co-shape to kick a fifty seven yard field goal.

[SPEAKER_01]: It was all for you instead of gambling on, it must have been for me, right?

[SPEAKER_01]: He could have gambled a third to short run the short yardage.

[SPEAKER_01]: I personally would have opted to punt [SPEAKER_01]: bury the red blacks deep up seven with about a minute left.

[SPEAKER_01]: But instead, they kicked a field goal.

[SPEAKER_01]: They miss it.

[SPEAKER_01]: Khalil pimple tin brings it, hundred and seventeen yards untouched back for the touchdown.

[SPEAKER_01]: And instead of the bombers winning by seven and covering that spread, they win, but do not cover the spread, which was, of course, my pick.

[SPEAKER_01]: I believe you picked them to win and cover the spread.

[SPEAKER_01]: So you were obviously set sitting watching that game on television.

[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, I was, it was not the result that I wanted, but it's nice to know that the reason that why Michael Shea was crabby is because you weren't being grateful enough for the sacrifices he made for your picks.

[SPEAKER_00]: He was checking it on the sideline, you know.

[SPEAKER_00]: Somebody update me, where are we at on the on the spread?

[SPEAKER_01]: I need to know if I should pick this week, whether it's hard to do.

[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, okay, that's too funny.

[SPEAKER_01]: So, after a perfect four-in-o week last week straight up and against the spread, for me, not just me, but for me, let's get in to week number twelve.

[SPEAKER_01]: Starting with, the Montreal Allowets are five and a half-point home underdogs to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday night at Personal Molson Stadium where the Allowets will look to avoid a fourth straight loss, using their fourth difference starting quarterback, James Morgan.

[SPEAKER_01]: The former fourth round NFL draft pick played most of last week's loss to the BC Lions.

[SPEAKER_01]: Again, you got to see live, Jason.

[SPEAKER_01]: Throwing for two hundred and eleven yards, one touchdown and one interception, though his team ultimately suffered a thirty six to eighteen loss.

[SPEAKER_01]: Meanwhile, the blue bombers avoided a second straight, seventeen point collapsed last week as they beat the auto or red blacks with a walkoff field goal from Sergio Castillo.

[SPEAKER_01]: Can the allowets cover this spread at home or will the Winnipeg be too much to handle?

[SPEAKER_00]: I think this is a prime opportunity for an upset here, at least when it comes to the spread, because as much as I've harped on the yellowettes, potentially picked [SPEAKER_00]: kicking the panic button this week.

[SPEAKER_00]: The one-up pick blue bombers have been much better the last few weeks, and even though they escaped by the skin of their teeth, after that micro-shade decision, there's some serious flaws on this roster.

[SPEAKER_00]: And they've brought us some help with the guy like Demirio Huston on the back end, but whether or not he plays this week, I am not sure at this stage.

[SPEAKER_00]: We do know that Montreal is going to have James Morgan at the helm and [SPEAKER_00]: Based on what I've seen from him in preseason and certainly in that three quarters of action against BC is he going to be a world beer maybe not, but he looks competent and he looks capable.

[SPEAKER_00]: He's a guy who had a lot of pedigree coming out of college.

[SPEAKER_00]: I think he'll be able to lead this offense a little bit better than McLeod Bethel Thompson was doing before he was placed on the sixth game injured list.

[SPEAKER_00]: I am optimistic about what we'll see there.

[SPEAKER_00]: The problem is I don't know that Montreal has enough weapons that are healthy right now around him to really rack up the points.

[SPEAKER_00]: So because of that, I'm going to take the bombers to win.

[SPEAKER_00]: I think the allowads might have a sneaky backdoor cover in them this week.

[SPEAKER_01]: I actually thought James Morgan looked better than his stats necessarily showed last week.

[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, at the very end of the game, there's a little bit of garbage time there.

[SPEAKER_01]: But I thought Montreal's defense as much as the game of thirty six points.

[SPEAKER_01]: I thought from a lack of offensive production early on.

[SPEAKER_01]: Maybe just got a little bit tired out right by the end of that game.

[SPEAKER_01]: I thought the Lowe's defense was better than then maybe we gave a credit for to some extent.

[SPEAKER_01]: Look, I mean, this team is so bang up right now, like the list of players who are out.

[SPEAKER_01]: You got Austin Mac, you got Tyson Philpot, you got Justin Lawrence, who's the center of that offensive line in the heart and soul that unit.

[SPEAKER_01]: You've obviously got Mustafa Johnson still out dominant defensive tackle.

[SPEAKER_01]: Kaby on into his back at Fieldside corner this week, but the secondary still banged up.

[SPEAKER_01]: No markings wanted to quave.

[SPEAKER_01]: on the back end, like this team is as banged up as any in the CFL right now.

[SPEAKER_01]: That's not even including the top three quarterbacks right to start the year all on the sixth game right now.

[SPEAKER_01]: James Morgan, yeah, he's technically a first time starter this week, but he is far from his inexperienced as most players in the situation.

[SPEAKER_01]: He's a former fourth run NFL draft pick.

[SPEAKER_01]: He's been on five different NFL teams.

[SPEAKER_01]: And obviously he played a considerable amount last week.

[SPEAKER_01]: And he's twenty eight years old, right?

[SPEAKER_01]: I think being in the situation as a twenty eight year old is a lot different than being twenty three.

[SPEAKER_01]: Let's say that being said, I do not like Montreal's chances of winning this game.

[SPEAKER_01]: I think the allowets are a heck of a lot better than they're showing right now.

[SPEAKER_01]: I think they probably have the best excuse of any team of league right now when it comes to injuries.

[SPEAKER_01]: That being said, I do expect the bombers to go in and get the win.

[SPEAKER_01]: I am torn on this spread five and a half points like up to a touchdown.

[SPEAKER_01]: I'm obviously taking the allowets against the spread.

[SPEAKER_01]: But I think up to a field goal.

[SPEAKER_01]: I do like the bombers right now at five and a half points.

[SPEAKER_01]: I'm going to look at Peyton Logan potentially as the difference maker.

[SPEAKER_01]: He's a guy who missed the first half of the season for the bombers.

[SPEAKER_01]: I expect him to be involved in the offense to at least some extent.

[SPEAKER_01]: And I think he's going to be very dynamic for them in the return game.

[SPEAKER_01]: So I will take the bombers to cover this spread, but any more, any more points, even to six point six and a half, I would be tempted to take the allowets.

[SPEAKER_01]: There's four home dogs to choose from, by the way, this week, JC.

[SPEAKER_01]: So if you're someone who likes to take home dogs in generally, I am, [SPEAKER_01]: There's a lot, there's a lot of people barking, but I'm honestly not sure how many home dogs I am going to end up taking.

[SPEAKER_01]: But for this one, I'll take the bombers to win and to cover the other thing we haven't talked about, J.C., it's a short week for the Allowans.

[SPEAKER_01]: They played all the way in Vancouver on Saturday.

[SPEAKER_01]: They're now home on Thursday.

[SPEAKER_01]: The bombers, meanwhile, got a full week to rest and prepare.

[SPEAKER_01]: So that's a huge advantage for the bombers as well as the injury side.

[SPEAKER_01]: So I will take the bombers to cover against a tired Montreal team.

[SPEAKER_00]: The auto red blacks are two and a half point home underdogs to the Edmonton Elkson Fraggai Knight and will likely be without Drew Brown after he suffered a knee injury in last week's loss to Winnipeg.

[SPEAKER_00]: Dustin Crom is expected to get the start for the Red Blacks and the dual threat passer is one and one as a starter this season.

[SPEAKER_00]: Having beaten Calgary and lost to Toronto.

[SPEAKER_00]: Meanwhile, the Elx are looking to win their third straight game, which would arguably put them in the playoff conversation in the West Division.

[SPEAKER_00]: Can Edmonton get a dumb, done, or will.

[SPEAKER_00]: Ottawa rise up with Crom.

[SPEAKER_01]: I don't know if Edmonton can get it dumb, but I do think that they can get it done.

[SPEAKER_01]: I've picked Edmonton for two straight weeks now, and they are a team that has paid off for me, right?

[SPEAKER_01]: As someone who's gone for an O, straight up and against the spread recently, [SPEAKER_01]: I can say that the Edmonton Elics are doing a great job of pulling these games off.

[SPEAKER_01]: And Edmonton quietly is the healthiest team in the CFL, like by far, like Nick Anderson is out.

[SPEAKER_01]: That's a tough break for them.

[SPEAKER_01]: But I mean, other than that, this unit has been extremely healthy all season long.

[SPEAKER_01]: And they seem to have found their confidence with Cody Fajardo, under center is Cody Fajardo going to go up there and rip six touchdown passes in five hundred yards.

[SPEAKER_01]: No, but he doesn't have to, right?

[SPEAKER_01]: He has to manage the game [SPEAKER_01]: make some plays with his feet, control the clock, and rely on Justin Rankin, who he considers to be the MOP, so far this season, to do some great things.

[SPEAKER_01]: So I like the Edmonton Elx to win [SPEAKER_01]: and cover this short spread.

[SPEAKER_01]: No disrespect to dust and crumb, but the red blacks are tremendously banged up right now.

[SPEAKER_01]: I don't think there are stars or is banged up as much real stars, but on the whole, this Ottawa defense is hurting J.

See, like Bennett Williams, there's starting safety.

[SPEAKER_01]: And Justin Howell, who is the back of safety?

[SPEAKER_01]: Both hurt last week, both out right now.

[SPEAKER_01]: It looks like for this week.

[SPEAKER_01]: So I'm going to take the Evan to know, to go into Ottawa and I think as you said, J.C.

[SPEAKER_01]: At that point, this team is firmly, believe it or not, in the playoff hunt, in the West Division.

[SPEAKER_00]: I'm all in on the Elx, as well.

[SPEAKER_00]: They may not get it dumb, but the thing that might be a little bit dumb here, but is Stargate Dustin Crab, right?

[SPEAKER_00]: I don't know why we keep going back to this well, if we're the angle of red blacks, besides that one ground in pound, rangy win over Calgary, he has shown me absolutely nothing as a starter this year.

[SPEAKER_00]: And frankly, I think there are other options in that building that could provide potentially more juice.

[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, Matthew Shields, we had the one and done.

[SPEAKER_00]: I'm not necessarily talking about him, but Tyre Agams, free Agams, right?

[SPEAKER_00]: Leg wishing on the practice roster barely getting any reps right now.

[SPEAKER_00]: Surely this is a guy who based on some previous experience we've seen might provide you a little bit more in the passing attack than Dustin Crumm has been able to do.

[SPEAKER_00]: I've just not convinced that he's the best option at quarterback for this team.

[SPEAKER_00]: And because of that, I can't trust them whenever Drew Brown is out.

[SPEAKER_00]: Unfortunately, Drew Brown has been out an awful lot this season.

[SPEAKER_00]: The Edmonton Alps on the other saga things [SPEAKER_00]: are turning things around, right?

[SPEAKER_00]: You mentioned Nick Anderson going down.

[SPEAKER_00]: Well, that's a tough blow, but Joe DeBlancco has been playing great in relief.

[SPEAKER_00]: He's been proving to everyone why he was the first overall pick a couple of years ago.

[SPEAKER_00]: They're figuring things out in the secondary.

[SPEAKER_00]: They're finally getting a little bit of past rush.

[SPEAKER_00]: They should be able to generate more of that against an Ottawa offensive line that has been hit.

[SPEAKER_00]: Miss this season, there's a lot to like about this matchup overall.

[SPEAKER_00]: And when you've got such a sizable advantage in the quarterback position, as I believe Kogi Fajago has overcrumb.

[SPEAKER_00]: It's hard not to take that team.

[SPEAKER_00]: I'm ragging with the Elx and I'm [SPEAKER_00]: picking them to cover this very short sprack as well.

[SPEAKER_01]: The Toronto Argonauts are three-point home underdogs to the BC Lions on Saturday afternoon where they look to snap a three-game losing skid that has them at a league worst two and eight on the year.

[SPEAKER_01]: The Argonauts lost to Deadmonton last week despite a strong performance from Nick Arbuckle and are currently banged up as Star Receiver de Monte Coke sees suffered a head injury late in the game.

[SPEAKER_01]: The Lions dominated a well-traveled Lowez team last week as Nathan work through four touchdown passes to be named CFL's highest graded player for week eleven by pro football focus.

[SPEAKER_01]: Can the Argonaut snap the streak or will BC win a third in the road?

[SPEAKER_00]: I think the lions are notching a third win in a row under their belts, right?

[SPEAKER_00]: Toronto right now is a team that seems lost and they'll be able to put up some offensive numbers, kugos, to Nick Arbuckle for what he's been able to accomplish this season, but with the Monte Cuck coaxied lightly, likely out with that hegg injury, [SPEAKER_00]: I'm just not sure that they're going to be at full strength and the Lions defense has turned things around the last couple weeks.

[SPEAKER_00]: I think they'll finally be able to generate some past rush against this this porous Toronto offensive line.

[SPEAKER_00]: I think when you've got a guy like Matthew Bets who's been quiet as of late going up against [SPEAKER_00]: somebody like Brandon Camp or John Boss is gonna be a welcome relief for him and an opportunity to tee off on a quarterback.

[SPEAKER_00]: And then on the flip side, Toronto has just not done anything defensively as of late that scares me.

[SPEAKER_00]: A Nathan Rork showed in that game that he is playing at an extremely high level.

[SPEAKER_00]: He was seeing the field effectively.

[SPEAKER_00]: I think he's gonna get some easier looks from Toronto this week and he is going to rack up the yards.

[SPEAKER_00]: They'll get James Butler involved as well and it's going to be a full-fledged offensive attack.

[SPEAKER_00]: I expect that this game is going to get a little bit lopsided.

[SPEAKER_00]: That's how I would think it's going to play out and I'm taking the lines.

[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I think Nick Arbuckle, full credit team has been playing actually very good football at times over the last six, seven weeks, and in general, good football.

[SPEAKER_01]: That said, when you watch late in games, where it when things are really on the line, the Toronto Argonauts offensive scheme, and I do consider Ryan Denwitty to be an elite CFL mine in terms of offense.

[SPEAKER_01]: is little more than throw it up to Dementie Coaxi and pray.

[SPEAKER_01]: Like that is what they are at the end of these key games.

[SPEAKER_01]: And that, unfortunately, is what happened late in that lost evidence in last week where Coaxi, unfortunately, got hurt, is helmet bounced off the turf a bit of a scary scene.

[SPEAKER_01]: Fortunately, it was able to leave under his own power.

[SPEAKER_01]: And obviously, we wish him the best in recovering a speedy recovery, hopefully.

[SPEAKER_01]: But he didn't practice right on Tuesday due to a head injury, officially.

[SPEAKER_01]: And head injuries can be very fickle, obviously they're very serious.

[SPEAKER_01]: And so with Demontic Hokesy out of that receiving core, I think there's a lot of good options in Toronto, but I don't think any of them are near Demontic Hokesy.

[SPEAKER_01]: Like, to me, Hokesy and Kenny Lawler are in a league of their own right now in terms of CFL receivers.

[SPEAKER_01]: Keon Hatcher will be right there, but those two guys are, to me, by far and away, the most two dominant players.

[SPEAKER_01]: And taking that kind of guy out of a Toronto team, [SPEAKER_01]: I think it's going to mean they're going to have a really tough time putting up points.

[SPEAKER_01]: You brought up the struggles along the offensive line.

[SPEAKER_01]: J.

C.

Well, defensively, this unit has struggled as of late and when McManus, who I think has been banged up basically all season, didn't practice either on Tuesday due to a tricep injury.

[SPEAKER_01]: He's their best defensive player.

[SPEAKER_01]: So like this Argonauts team hasn't been able to win lightly with Coke C and without McManus.

[SPEAKER_01]: I don't know how they beat a suddenly red hot BC Lions team.

[SPEAKER_01]: Without both of those guys, potentially.

[SPEAKER_01]: So I am very comfortable taking the BC Lions to win this game.

[SPEAKER_01]: I'm also very comfortable as someone who just went for an O straight up and against the spread to pick them to cover this three points spread.

[SPEAKER_01]: I'm surprised, frankly, that it's only three points.

[SPEAKER_01]: I would be happy to take the Argonauts minus four minus five.

[SPEAKER_01]: Really up to a touchdown.

[SPEAKER_01]: I'm surprised.

[SPEAKER_01]: It's only a feel.

[SPEAKER_01]: Go right now.

[SPEAKER_01]: Give me the lions.

[SPEAKER_01]: I love what they're doing on defense.

[SPEAKER_01]: I'd like to see Mike Awe coloring inside the lines a little bit more.

[SPEAKER_01]: Right.

[SPEAKER_01]: We love his physicalities getting a little high up in some of those hits, but between him.

[SPEAKER_01]: Giante Williams like they have really set a physical tone there.

[SPEAKER_01]: So I think this game will be a lion's win and I don't think it's gonna be I think it's gonna be a blow out, but I don't think it's gonna be close either.

[SPEAKER_01]: Give me the lions to win and cover [SPEAKER_00]: The Calgary Stampegers are one point home underdogs to the Saskatchewan Rough Riders on Saturday evening and what has to be considered the CFL's Game of the Week.

[SPEAKER_00]: The Riders have only one loss on the season and it came at Mosaic Stadium at the hands of Calgary back in week six.

[SPEAKER_00]: Saskatchewan has won four straight since then, while Calgary is coming off a buy after being won a peg in week ten.

[SPEAKER_00]: Can the Stampegers win this game and sweep the season series against Saskatchewan?

[SPEAKER_00]: or can the raggers make it five in a row?

[SPEAKER_01]: Full credits are the riders.

[SPEAKER_01]: They've won four in a row.

[SPEAKER_01]: They looked brilliant against the Hamilton Tiger Cats last week, like just a dominant win.

[SPEAKER_01]: First of all, that's the biggest thing I'm hoping for this week is can the game of the week not be a dud?

[SPEAKER_01]: That was a dud unfortunately last week.

[SPEAKER_01]: I was super excited for it.

[SPEAKER_01]: It's like, oh, this is a blow out.

[SPEAKER_01]: I want this one to be like a thirty three to thirty two back and forth.

[SPEAKER_01]: You know, brawl, I want to see a super well played game from both teams that goes right down to the wire and hopefully we get it.

[SPEAKER_01]: To me, I'm going to take, I would be remiss if I didn't take at least one home dog.

[SPEAKER_01]: I know home dogs are great and as somebody who went for no straight up and against the spread last week, [SPEAKER_01]: I want to make sure that I'm sticking to my fundamental.

[SPEAKER_01]: So I'm going to take the Calgary stamp heaters.

[SPEAKER_01]: I know it's only a point.

[SPEAKER_01]: But to me, they have shown from their previous win.

[SPEAKER_01]: They're the only team to beat Saskatchewan this season and they did it in Regina and they did it by fourteen points.

[SPEAKER_01]: I think that the Calgary stamp heaters have Saskatchewan's number to an extent, just the same way.

[SPEAKER_01]: that the Saskatchewan refriters clearly have Hamilton's number with two very one-sided wins so far this season.

[SPEAKER_01]: So I'm going to take the Calgary Stamp Peters.

[SPEAKER_01]: They're a little banged up in the back end, which is a bit of a concern for me admittedly, especially given how well Trevor Harris is throwing the football right now to a very deep perceiving core in riderville.

[SPEAKER_01]: That said, I think the buy is a huge thing here for Calgary.

[SPEAKER_01]: There was a time for many, many years in the Dave Dickinson era.

[SPEAKER_01]: where the Calgary Stampedeers were quite literally unbeatable coming off a buy and unbeatable at home, right?

[SPEAKER_01]: That's obviously gone away the last few years.

[SPEAKER_01]: Well, the Calgary Stampedeers are pushing to be the top team in the west division.

[SPEAKER_01]: I think they can turn back the clock here and be a team that is tough to be at home, tough to beat off the buy.

[SPEAKER_01]: And so I will pick the stampedeers.

[SPEAKER_01]: I think it's gonna be a close game.

[SPEAKER_01]: And frankly, I'm hoping it will be a close game.

[SPEAKER_01]: I want a tightly contested [SPEAKER_01]: instant classic type of game regardless who wins, I will take the stamp heaters.

[SPEAKER_01]: However, to win it, heck, we'll call it a walk off field goal from René Paradise.

[SPEAKER_00]: I'm in the same boat as you, Hodge.

[SPEAKER_00]: I think the Calgary stamp heaters can get this done at home.

[SPEAKER_00]: I think the rest will play a huge factor and crack it to our colleague, Brendan McGuire, for this stat.

[SPEAKER_00]: But no team in the history of the Saskatchewan Ruff Ruggers has ever struggled to seize and die in one.

[SPEAKER_00]: It's very tough to do.

[SPEAKER_00]: They've won some close ones along the way.

[SPEAKER_00]: And I think that Calgary coming off the by is just going to be a little bit more prepared, a little bit less tired.

[SPEAKER_00]: and with the home crowd, hopefully behind them as McMahon starts to fill back up and believe in this team.

[SPEAKER_00]: I think that Burger and Agams Junior can create a little bit of magic on offense, hit some deep shots, and get the ball moving.

[SPEAKER_00]: I don't think this is going to be a crazy wide margin.

[SPEAKER_00]: I'm not expecting it to be as low as last week's game of the week, or even when these two teams play in that delayed game at Mosaic earlier in the year.

[SPEAKER_00]: It should be close, but I think the Calgary Stamp Peters can get a little bit more pressure on Trevor Harris than he's been under in the last couple weeks, a guy like Jalen Hutchings just can't be accounted for.

[SPEAKER_00]: And I think offensively they'll be able to hit just enough big plays to get done.

[SPEAKER_01]: I think it's bang on JC and as someone who went forno straight up and against the spread last week, I hope that you and I are successful this week so I can talk about it a whole bunch more next week about going forno straight up and against the spread.

[SPEAKER_01]: Again, two weeks in a row, I'll be even more insufferable.

[SPEAKER_01]: With that said, we thank you as always for listening to our picks, watching our picks for week, twelve in the Canadian Football League straight up and against the spread.

[SPEAKER_01]: For J.C.

[SPEAKER_01]: Abbott, I'm John Hodge.

[SPEAKER_01]: Enjoy the games, folks.

[SPEAKER_01]: We'll see you on either Sunday or Monday, scheduled, depending with Justin Duncan breaking down all the action in and around the CFL.

[SPEAKER_01]: Cheers.