3DownNation CFL picks straight-up & against the spread: Week 8

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Week 8 in the Canadian Football League is officially upon us, bringing with it three divisional games and a quarterback making his first career start.

We have nine contributors making picks straight-up and against the spread, and they’ll do so all season long. Enjoy.

Eligible sports bettors in Ontario and Alberta can find relevant information for wagering on the games by clicking on their respective jurisdiction. Please bet responsibly.

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Thursday, July 23: Edmonton Elks at Saskatchewan Roughriders (-4.5) at 9:00 p.m. EDT

This is a battle of two West Division heavyweights, who currently sit atop the standings with just one loss each. The Elks have made a change along their offensive line as Carter O’Donnell is out, leaving Brett Boyko to take over at left guard, while two-time All-CFL selection Rolan Milligan Jr. will make his return from injury for the Roughriders. This will be an emotional night, as this marks Saskatchewan’s first game since team captain Jayden Dalke was killed in a car crash that also took the life of Regina resident Bhishma Rajyaguru, who will be honoured pre-game.

ABBOTT: Emotions could swing the Riders either way at this point, but I think their elite defensive coaching will know how to follow B.C.’s blueprint for beating the Elks.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Edmonton.

BALLANTINE: The events of the week could lead to a big first half for the Riders, but the adrenaline may wear off before the game ends. Saskatchewan’s below average run defence may be an issue against Justin Rankin.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

BORDIGNON: On what’s sure to be an emotional night, I think the Elks pull off the win.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

FILOSO: I’m not sure the Riders will be at their best given the challenging circumstances, which is what it’ll take to beat the Elks.

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

GASSON: I expected the Riders to be emotionally charged given the events of the week.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Riders should win this one on an emotionally-charged night.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Edmonton.

HODGE: The Roughriders should get the win on an emotional night but this spread seems a little too wide.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Edmonton.

HOSKINS: The Elks defence is up for the challenge and the offence has to re-find its form, right?

Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.

KLEIN: It is tough to say how the emotions of the week will change things, but these are two relatively evenly-matched teams and it should play out that way on the field.

Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Edmonton.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 5, Edmonton 4.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Edmonton 8, Saskatchewan 1.

Friday, July 24: Calgary Stampeders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-1.5) at 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Stampeders were swept on their recent home-and-home against the Montreal Alouettes, though both were relatively tight losses. Despite a 2-4 start to the season, Vernon Adams Jr. has thrown 17 touchdown passes and zero interceptions amid a torrid start to the season. The Blue Bombers got off to a terrible start last week but were able to complete their comeback over the lowly Ottawa Redblacks to win in the CFL’s first-ever two-point convert overtime shootout.

ABBOTT: The Stampeders are due for a bounce back game and Winnipeg is owed some karma for winning one they shouldn’t have.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

BALLANTINE: The last time these teams played, Calgary was missing Jaylon Hutchings and Folarin Orimolade. Look for the terror twins to make the difference this week.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

BORDIGNON: I have picked the Stampeders the last two weeks and got burned. Lesson learned.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

FILOSO: Don’t let their overtime escape gloss over the fact that Winnipeg was trailing Ottawa by 17 points in the fourth quarter.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

GASSON: The Blue Bombers are a team that finds ways to win.

Straight-up: Winnipeg. Against the spread: Winnipeg.

HERRERA-VERGARA: The Bombers struggled to beat the Redblacks, while the Stamps came short against the best team in the CFL twice. Calgary will take this one.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

HODGE: Vernon Adams Jr. has had a lot of past success playing against Winnipeg’s defence and the Blue Bombers are coming off a short week.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

HOSKINS: The Stampeders were solid against a very tough team in Montreal. Winnipeg is not Montreal.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

KLEIN: The results haven’t shown it, but the Stamps are trending in the right direction and I expect them to show the league how good they can be this week.

Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.

TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Calgary 7, Winnipeg 2.

TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Calgary 7, Winnipeg 2.

Saturday, July 25: Toronto Argonauts at B.C. Lions (+3.5) at 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Argonauts lost in Hamilton last week, though they would have won had Lirim Hajrullahu not missed a 31-yard field goal on the game’s final play. The team’s defence continues to struggle, ranking eighth in yards allowed per play, but has generated the second-most takeaways in the CFL with 15. The Lions will start Chase Brice under centre as Nathan Rourke is out with a shoulder injury, though B.C. got some good news this week as he’s expected to miss weeks, not months. Brice threw four interceptions in a relief effort last week. This will be his first career start.

ABBOTT: This is a battle between a moveable object and a stoppable force. Chad Kelly should be the difference.