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Week 18 in the Canadian Football League is here, and we\u2019re into the thick of it now. Three of the four games this week have potential playoff implications, while the first has history on the line.<\/p>\n
We have ten contributors making picks straight-up and against the spread, and they\u2019ll do so all season long. Enjoy.<\/p>\n
Please note that contributors were asked to make their picks based on the consensus point spreads as of 10:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, October 1. Competing sportsbooks may have different spreads, and lines may change.<\/p>\n
3DownNation Newsletter<\/p>\n
\t\tToday\u2019s CFL news in your inbox every day at 3 p.m.<\/p>\n
\t\tBy signing up you agree to receive daily emails from 3DownNation, as well as our Eligible sports bettors in\u00a0Ontario<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Alberta<\/a>\u00a0can find relevant information for wagering on the games by clicking on their respective jurisdiction. Please bet responsibly.<\/p>\n Friday, October 2: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ottawa Redblacks (+1.5) at 7:00 p.m. EDT<\/p>\n The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night, where the winless Redblacks are short home underdogs. Both of these teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, which means there is nothing to play for other than pride. The Tiger-Cats will start Jaelen Gill at receiver in place of the injured Keric Wheatfall<\/a>, while Isaiah Bagnah and Brian Ugwu are expected to fill the void left at defensive end following Julian Howsare\u2019s trade to Montreal. Meanwhile, Ottawa will start three brand new players in their secondary<\/a>, including Kahzir \u2018Buggs\u2019 Brown, Sage Ryan, and Ahmari Harvey. The Redblacks are looking to avoid becoming the first team in CFL history to start a season 0-15<\/a>.<\/p>\n ABBOTT: The loser of this game should just forfeit the rest of the season.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.<\/p>\n BALLANTINE: MBT has looked like dynamite since taking over. This is the week.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.<\/p>\n BORDIGNON: Can\u2019t bring myself to pick the Redblacks.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n FILOSO: If the Redblacks don\u2019t take this one, the noise around going winless will get real loud.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.<\/p>\n GASSON: If you\u2019re gonna suck, suck so bad everyone remembers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.\u00a0<\/p>\n HERRERA-VERGARA: This might be the best shot for the Redblacks to win a game, but I\u2019m not sure it will be enough.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n HODGE: My strategy of picking against Ottawa each week has been extremely effective.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n HOSKINS: If it\u2019s ever going to happen, now is the time. Positive vibes for all Ottawa fans.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Ottawa. Against the spread: Ottawa.<\/p>\n KLEIN: What is the opposite of a team of destiny?\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n McINNIS: Everything in me says this could be the week for Ottawa, but I still can\u2019t do it.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Hamilton. Against the spread: Hamilton.<\/p>\n TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Hamilton 6, Ottawa 4.<\/p>\n TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Hamilton 6, Ottawa 4.<\/p>\n Friday, October 2: Calgary Stampeders at Saskatchewan Roughriders (-5.5) at 9:30 p.m. EDT<\/p>\n The Calgary Stampeders will visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night, where the Roughriders are favoured by less than a touchdown in a game with huge potential playoff implications for both teams. Linebacker Josh Woods and receiver Daniel Wiebe are back for Saskatchewan<\/a>, while Calgary has Reggie Begelton back in the lineup and swapped out Adrian Greene at the field corner for Lance Boykin<\/a>. Though the Riders have a game in hand and can clinch the postseason with a win, a victory by Calgary could potentially pull them out of fifth place in the West Division and leave them tied on points with the defending Grey Cup champions.<\/p>\n ABBOTT: The Riders aren\u2019t the Redbacks.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n BALLANTINE: The first meeting between these two didn\u2019t feature Calgary\u2019s full D-line complement. The Riders won that by just three.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.<\/p>\n BORDIGNON: This is a Roughriders get-right spot after a bad showing against B.C.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n FILOSO: The Stamps looked underwhelming in back-to-back games against Ottawa, but even so, they need this more and will be playing desperate.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.<\/p>\n GASSON: It\u2019s time to hit the panic button if the Riders lose this one.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Calgary.<\/p>\n HERRERA-VERGARA: The Riders need to win this one.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n HODGE: It\u2019s time for the Roughriders to flex.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n HOSKINS: The Riders want to punch that postseason ticket.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n KLEIN: The Riders have fallen off a bit recently, while the Stamps looked better last week. But that gap hasn\u2019t closed enough for me to pick Calgary in this spot.<\/p>\n Straight-up: Saskatchewan. Against the spread: Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n McINNIS: Calgary as an underdog is my favourite bet to make. I expect this one to be tight.\u00a0<\/p>\n Straight-up: Calgary. Against the spread: Calgary.<\/p>\n TOTALS STRAIGHT-UP: Saskatchewan 7, Calgary 3.<\/p>\n TOTALS AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saskatchewan 6, Calgary 4.<\/p>\n Saturday, October 3: B.C. Lions at Toronto Argonauts (+1.5) at 3:00 p.m. EDT<\/p>\n
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