It’s a primetime showdown Friday when the Stampeders and Roughriders hookup for their first of three meetings in 2013
Cornish started strong for the Stamps, rushing for 174 yards and two touchdowns in the opener
Calgary is off an impressive 44-32 win against the BC Lions in Week 1, picking up right where things left off in the 2012 playoffs. There was no comparing the level of emotion between the two clubs as the home towns fans rallied around their team to help ease the tension felt from three weeks of recovery from one of the worst floods the southern Alberta region has ever dealt with.
It was evident in the Lions home opener Thursday that they were playing with a completely different level of intensity and now for Calgary, the challenge is trying to re-focus their efforts against a lively Riders team who will be making their 2013 home debut. CFL odds for this game currently sit at Riders -2 and a total of 55.
There is a great buzz in Saskatchewan this year as the province gets set to host the Grey Cup in November and after beating Edmonton in Alberta for the first time since 2009, the raucous crowd will be amped plus-10 as they look to improve to 2-0.
Saskatchewan overpowered Edmonton on the arm of Darian Durant and wheels of RB Kory Sheets and the 39-18 win improved the Riders’ record during the first two weeks of the season to 23-10 ATS since 1996. Saskatchewan is 42-22 ATS during the same span for the first month of the season but they’ll have to once again make due tonight without the services of slotback Geroy Simon, who injured his leg in a preseason game vs. the Stampeders.
CALGARY STAMPEDE
It wasn’t QB Drew Tate’s fault for getting twice injured during 2013 but given the weapons at his disposal, Tate may want to stick around for a while this season. WR Maurice Price led the team with 77 receiving yards last week and with Nik Lewis in the slot, Tate was able to spread the ball and keep BC’s aggressive defense off-kilter throughout the game. And don’t forget about second-year WR Joe West, who doubled his career TD count with a pair last week. It opens the door for RB Jon Cornish and the Stamps will have to maintain balance from the ground game against a Riders D who was second in the CFL last year defending the pass (244 yards against per game).
CFL PICKS
Two meetings in the flatlands last year produced total scores of 55 and 17 points with the Riders totalling 30-plus points in three of four games vs. their western rival. Calgary has played 12 overs and 4 unders its past 16 road games overall and despite this situation being a bit of a “letdown” spot for both teams, we have this game touching close to 60 points.
Pick: Take the Over
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