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Week 3 of the Canadian Football League season is here, featuring four games across two nights.<\/p>\n
Things begin in Hamilton on Friday, where the B.C. Lions will look to bounce back in a visit to the Tiger-Cats. Saturday will feature a triple-header as Ryan Dinwiddie hosts his old team for the first time in Ottawa, the Alouettes and Elks look to stay undefeated, and Saskatchewan visits Calgary.<\/p>\n
We have nine contributors making picks straight-up and against the spread, and they\u2019ll do so all season long. Enjoy.<\/p>\n
\u2191 what lands at 3 p.m. daily<\/p>\n
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Free. Unsubscribe anytime. By signing up you agree to receive daily emails from 3DownNation, Friday, June 19: B.C. Lions at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (+1.5) at 7:30 p.m. EDT<\/p>\n The B.C. Lions will travel cross-country on a short week after suffering a devastating loss to Saskatchewan in their opener<\/a>. Injuries to the receiving corps played a key role in that result, with Stanley Berryhill III, Jevon Cottoy, and Seven McGee all placed on the six-game injured list<\/a> in the aftermath. Keon Hatcher is also a game-time decision<\/a>, which could leave the Lions without four starting pass catchers. The Ticats, meanwhile, recorded an impressive win over the Blue Bombers last week, though they\u2019ll be without starting cornerback Jamal Peters<\/a> after his scary departure from that game. Zamari Walton will take over at one corner spot, while former Elk Devodric Bynum also draws in to upgrade the secondary. Offensively, Hamilton is still waiting for Kenny Lawler to break out<\/a>, but a suspect Lions defence might be just what he and Bo Levi Mitchell need to connect.<\/p>\n ABBOTT: Defensive concerns will be the focus after last week for B.C., but it is the lack of healthy receivers that really scares me.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n BALLANTINE: Given what the Ticats did to a much better defence last week, it looks like a rough start in Lotus Land.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilt<\/p>\n BORDIGNON: I know the Lions dropped a thriller to Saskatchewan last week, but there\u2019s no way Nathan Rourke starts 0-2, right?<\/p>\n Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.<\/p>\n FILOSO: The Ticats\u2019 defence has been suspect so far, but Rourke can\u2019t throw it to himself. The Lions\u2019 injuries are the difference.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n GASSON: The Ticats\u2019 offence is humming, and B.C. going further east on back-to-back road games is a tough ask.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n HERRERA-VERGARA: The Lions are banged up, and the Ticats started the season well.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n HODGE: B.C.\u2019s receiving corps is injury-riddled, and the Ticats are hummin\u2019.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n HOSKINS: Going three time zones while plagued with injuries is tough. Playing a team that has found its stride early won\u2019t help.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n KLEIN: Hamilton looked really impressive last week, but once the Lions got rolling, they looked really scary in Week 2. They\u2019ll get their first win of the year this week.<\/p>\n Straight-up: B.C. Against the spread: B.C.<\/p>\n TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Hamilton 7, B.C. 2<\/p>\n TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 7, B.C. 2<\/p>\n Saturday, June 20: Toronto Argonauts at Ottawa Redblacks (+1.5) at 1:00 p.m. EDT<\/p>\n This matchup marks the first time that Redblacks\u2019 head coach Ryan Dinwiddie will face his former club after unceremoniously departing the Toronto Argonauts this offseason. Both sides have avoided the revenge angle thus far, but expect a little extra emotion to permeate the action. Ottawa should have Greg Bell in the lineup at running back<\/a> after he missed Week 1 with a neck injury, though they\u2019ll be missing defensive back Adrian Frye. The Argos will have a new right tackle protecting Chad Kelly with Kendall Randolph on the shelf, while they\u2019ll face an interesting decision in the receiving corps, as Jake Herslow is ready to return after his replacement, Tyler Kahmann, went for over a hundred yards last week.<\/p>\n ABBOTT: Ryan Dinwiddie backed the wrong horse \u2014 at least for now.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n BALLANTINE: I want Ottawa to be good at football. I really do. Maybe someday, hopefully soon, they won\u2019t be this easy to pick against.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n BORDIGNON: Ottawa is the lone team whose quarterback hasn\u2019t played well yet this season, and I trust Chad Kelly more than Jake Maier right now.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n FILOSO: Ignore a rainy Week 1 showing, fresh off the bye. Ryan Dinwiddie gets his first win with his new team by beating his old one.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.<\/p>\n GASSON: Chad Kelly is better than Jake Maier.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto<\/p>\n HERRERA-VERGARA: Chad Kelly had an impressive performance last week. I expect another good one against a shaky Ottawa team.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n HODGE: Toronto\u2019s offence looks five steps ahead of Ottawa\u2019s right now.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n HOSKINS: I\u2019m going with the upset here. Dinwiddie gets back at his old club.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.<\/p>\n KLEIN: Ottawa doesn\u2019t have the defence to slow down Chad Kelly, nor do they have the offence to keep up with him.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Toronto. Against the spread: Toronto.<\/p>\n TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Toronto 7, Ottawa 2<\/p>\n TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Toronto 7, Ottawa 2<\/p>\n Saturday, June 20: Montreal Alouettes at Edmonton Elks (+3.5) at 4:00 p.m. EDT<\/p>\n The Montreal Alouettes will put their unblemished record to the test against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, who enjoyed a bye last week after winning their season opener for the first time since 2019. Running back Stevie Scott III appears ready to return for the Als after missing their first two victories, veteran Najee Murray will provide a boost for the secondary, and the team has added Mario Alford in the return game<\/a>, though it\u2019s unclear if he\u2019ll play. However, the potential absence of All-CFL linebacker Tyrice Beverette due to a neck injury looms large, and receiver Jerreth Sterns has already been ruled out. The Elks are much healthier heading into their home-opener, with offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey<\/a> and special teams ace Eteva Mauga-Clements expected to be the only significant losses. This game should carry extra weight for Austin Mack, who was cast aside by Montreal this offseason.<\/p>\n ABBOTT: As good as they\u2019ve looked, Montreal have needed a pick-six and a blocked punt to win their first two games. They are due for a slip-up against a hungry Elks team.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.<\/p>\n BALLANTINE: Davis Alexander\u2019s numbers would have been astronomical last week if all his targets caught the ball as well as Tyson Philpot. This spread should be higher.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n BORDIGNON: Edmonton looked sharp in Week 1, and I expect them to keep this one tight, likely within a field goal. That said, I trust Davis Alexander and Montreal to find a way to close it out.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Edmonton.<\/p>\n FILOSO: Until Davis Alexander actually loses in the regular season, I won\u2019t be picking against him.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n GASSON: Davis Alexander has to lose a regular-season game eventually. The Elks prove something is finally different this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.<\/p>\n HERRERA-VERGARA: Davis Alexander will eventually lose in the regular season, but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s gonna be this week.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n HODGE: Edmonton\u2019s much improved, but they\u2019re still a rung below the Alouettes.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n HOSKINS: Montreal has had two thrilling finishes. The Elks\u2019 defence doesn\u2019t allow it this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Edmonton. Against the spread: Edmonton.<\/p>\n KLEIN: Montreal has looked very good so far. The Elks have taken a step forward, but not this far.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Montreal. Against the spread: Montreal.<\/p>\n TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Montreal 6, Edmonton 3.<\/p>\n TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Montreal 5, Edmonton 4<\/p>\n Saturday, June 20: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders (+1.5) at 7:00 p.m. EDT<\/p>\n The Saskatchewan Roughriders came out of the gate flying in Week 2, but they\u2019ll follow it up with a tough test against the Stampeders, who swept last year\u2019s head-to-head meetings with the eventual Grey Cup champs. One or both of Jaylon Hutchings and Folarin Orimolade could be back for the Stampeders, as they\u2019ve both been full participants in practice this week. The Riders are much more banged up and will be without a couple of key defensive starters in Rolan Milligan Jr.<\/a> and Nelson Lokombo. There will also be a key change on special teams, as the recently acquired Mike Benson<\/a> steps in for injured long snapper Aaron Crawford.<\/p>\n ABBOTT: If Saskatchewan\u2019s offence looks half as good as last week, they\u2019ll take this running away.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n BALLANTINE: As we go to print, we still don\u2019t know if Jaylen Hutchings or Folarin Orimolade will be playing for Calgary. Without them, the Stamps\u2019 defence is good. With them, it is elite.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.<\/p>\n BORDIGNON: The health of Calgary\u2019s defence could ultimately be the deciding factor here. With that said, I still think Trevor Harris and company find a way to get it done and remain undefeated.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n FILOSO: In what should be a close, back-and-forth affair, give me the healthier team.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n GASSON: I\u2019m sure this will be a roller coaster, like it often is between these teams. The Riders find ways to win.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n HERRERA-VERGARA: This should be another exciting game. The Riders prevail.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n HODGE: This should be a dandy. The Roughriders exorcise last year\u2019s demons and finally beat Calgary.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n HOSKINS: The unknown on Calgary\u2019s defence plays a role, but Sask will be prepared for any lineup.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n KLEIN: The Riders looked to be in mid-season form last week. Calgary was a thorn in their side last year, but I think they get the jump on them here.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 8, Calgary 1.<\/p>\n TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 8, Calgary 1.<\/p>\n 2026 records (straight-up)<\/p>\n ABBOTT \u2014 4-2 2026 records (against the spread)<\/p>\n HERRERA-VERGARA \u2014 4-2 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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HERRERA-VERGARA \u2014 4-2
GASSON \u2014 3-3
HODGE \u2014 3-3
KLEIN \u2014 3-3
BALLANTINE \u2014 2-4
BORDIGNON \u2014 2-4
FILOSO \u2014 2-4
HOSKINS \u2014 2-4<\/p>\n
ABBOTT \u2014 3-3
GASSON \u2014 3-3
HODGE \u2014 3-3
KLEIN \u2014 3-3
BALLANTINE \u2014 2-4
BORDIGNON \u2014 2-4
FILOSO \u2014 1-5
HOSKINS \u2014 1-5<\/p>\n<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0603-3Down-logo-600x600.jpg\"){kind=logo}
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