My CFL Week 9 expert picks feature bets for all four games. Of my picks, a long-awaited quarterback change in the Edmonton vs Saskatchewan game leads me to side with the winless Elks.
In Week 9, I look to improve from last week's picks which went 3-1 bringing my 2024 CFL expert picks to 13-16 on the season (-3.90 Units).
Current Record: 13-16 (-3.90 Units)
CFL Picks for week 9
We're heading into August of the 2024 CFL season as Edmonton still remains winless and Toronto looks to sort out its recent revolving quarterback tandem. As mentioned above, my Week 9 CFL picks feature Tre Ford's first start for the Elks this season.
bC Lions vs winnipeg Blue bombers Pick: lions -3.5 (-105)
Lions vs Blue Bombers Odds Week 9
Returning from a bye week, the Lions (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) will be eager to regroup after their recent loss to the Stampeders that ended their five-game streak. The Bombers (2-6 SU, 1-7 ATS) are coming off a narrow two-point loss from Week 8 that has officially knocked them to second-last in the West.
BC's top-scoring offense (29.4 PPG) will meet Winnipeg, which sits as the CFL's worst-scoring offense (20.4 PPG) for the second time this year. The last outing tilted in the Lions' favor, 26-24.
Though our CFL database shows BC is an unpromising 3-8 SU in its last 11 meetings with Winnipeg, this season is panning out differently. The Bombers are no longer a threat. Zach Collaros has a league-high eight interceptions, picked off in all but two meetings this season. Eclipsing the 30-touchdown mark the last two years, the Cincinnati product has hit the endzone only three times through the first eight weeks.
Meanwhile, Vernon Adams Jr., the Most Outstanding Player betting favorite, is having a career season. The Oregon alumni has the opportunity to break the all-time passing record in a single season. Receivers Justin McInnis and Alexander Hollins take up two of the top three spots for receiving yards, too. There's no doubt to side with the group that has shown plenty of offensive talent against Winnipeg, whose dynasty is slipping through its fingers.
montreal alouettes vs hamilton tiger-cats Pick: UNDER 50.5 (-110)
Alouettes vs Tiger-Cats Odds Week 9
Once the Alouettes (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS) placed starting quarterback Cody Fajardo on the six-game injured list last week, I thought they were doomed.
Boy, I was wrong.
Third-stringer Davis Alexander carried the team on his back, throwing two touchdowns to come back from a 13-point deficit in the second half last week. A huge win that boosted Montreal's confidence after it was deflated losing its Grey Cup-winning gunslinger.
I can't ignore the Ticats' (2-5 SU, 2-5 ATS) best efforts, earning at least 27 points in their last three performances, including a whopping 44-point effort in last week's win. But, will it be enough against the Al's defense, allowing a league-low 21.7 PPG and 317.3 YPG, that I continuously reference? I don't think so.
With the stout defense and Montreal's offense not at its prime with Fajardo missing, I'll go against the hefty point total.
edmonton elks vs saskatchewan roughriders Pick: Elks +5.5 (-110)
Elks vs Roughriders Odds Week 9
It's been two weeks since Elks' (0-7 SU, 3-4 ATS) former head coach and general manager, Chris Jones, has been fired. Yet, Edmonton remains winless. But, the majority of prayers have finally been answered.
Tre Ford gets the start Saturday night.
The Canadian quarterback replaced McLeod Bethel-Thompson last week, pocketing a trio of touchdowns and completing 10-of-15 passes.
With inconsistent appearances on the field in 2023, Ford finished the season with over 2,000 passing yards and 600 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns. Despite CFL spectators rallying behind him, Ford has never been given a true chance for unknown reasons. Now, he finally gets the opportunity to turn things around for the Elks.
Imagine spending $500,000 on a QB and leaving Tre Ford — an elite athlete who can do this 🤯 — on the bench for six games and three quarters…
— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) July 29, 2024
The Elks can’t make it make sense.#Edmonton #Elks #CFL pic.twitter.com/7GhE0u5O4p
With the Roughriders (5-2 SU, 5-2 ATS) still missing parts like Trevor Harris and possibly AJ Ouellette, there's plenty of opportunity for Edmonton to use those holes to its advantage. I'll lay the points with the Elks.
toronto argonauts vs calgary stampeders Pick: UNDER 49.5 (-110)
Argos vs Stampeders Odds Week 9
I'm not a fan of this matchup at all. Toronto (4-3 SU, 3-4 ATS) is tag-teaming quarterbacks, with neither Cameron Dukes or Nick Arbuckle thriving right now. In last week's tandem, the two barely eclipsed 100 yards combined.
I expected more from Calgary (3-4 SU, 5-2 ATS), who destroyed BC's winning streak in Week 7. But, the momentum didn't carry over after a 33-6 blowout defeat to Ottawa.
Despite a strong start, accumulating 94 points and going 3-0 SU to start the season, the Argos have struggled to maintain that groove. Then, based on last week's results, it seems the Stamps also can't build off momentum either. Both groups have hit the UNDER in their last two outings and I'll tail that point total trend given how these two benches have fared lately.
Defence shining early!
— CFL (@CFL) July 27, 2024
Redha Kramdi gets to Cameron Dukes for his second sack of the first quarter. #CFLGameday on @TSN_Sports 🇨🇦 & @CBSSportsNet 🇺🇸📱: Stream on CFL+ pic.twitter.com/o778tmpkXc
