Friday Night Lights – Tiger-Cats vs. Lions

Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. British Columbia Lions 10:30 ET

In the back half of Friday night’s CFL betting double-header, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-1, 0-1 ATS) will lock horns with the British Columbia Lions (0-1, 0-1 ATS) in a battle of teams searching for their first win of the 2009 season. The Tiger-Cats opened up the season with an awful 30-17 loss to the Argonauts at home, while the Lions suffered a 28-24 loss in Regina against the Roughriders.

Tonight, the oddsmakers at BetOnline.com have lined the hosts as whopping 13-point favorites, while the ‘total’ has been posted at 50.

For a season that was supposed to be full of optimism for their fans, the Ti-Cats certainly got off to a rough start at Ivor-Wynne Stadium. They fell behind the Argos 20-0 in the first quarter and never really rebounded. QB Quinton Porter, who has high expectations this season in Hamilton, got off to a rocky start completing 26-of-40 passes for two TDs and a pair of interceptions. He also showed some spark on the ground, as he led the Tabbies in rushing with 62 yards on nine carries. RB Terry Caulley, who is taking over for the departed Jesse Lumsden, only had 38 yards on eight carries. The biggest disappointment in Steeltown though, has to be the play of the Ti-Cats’ defence. The Argos marched for over 200 yards of offence in the first quarter on just three drives. The Boatmen hit six passes of at least 20 yards, while RB Jamal Robertson racked up 134 yards on just 14 carries.

Though things got off to a bad start for the loveable losers of the CFL, the Lions couldn’t quite overcome some questionable coaching decisions to take out the Riders in Week 1 CFL betting. Had HC Wally Buono elected to kick the PAT instead of going for two after BC’s TD in the third quarter, the final drive of the game, which stalled at Saskatchewan’s 54-yard line, would’ve only needed to yield a field goal to force the game into overtime. Without a doubt though, the Lions were not the better team on that day, as the offence only managed 217 yards for the game and turned the ball over seven times. The offensive line was pitiful, as it allowed Saskatchewan pass rushers to rack up nine sacks on QB Buck Pierce. It’s hard to blame the Lions’ defence for the loss, as the unit forced eight turnovers and held the Riders to 314 total yards of offence.

It’s hard to love either side in this game, but it’s pretty clear that almost two full touchdowns are probably too much to ask a questionable BC team to cover. Its hard picturing how the Tabbies can win this one, especially considering the fact that they were beaten 40-10 in BC Place last year, but in the end, the spread shouldn’t be too deep into double digits. Press your luck and grab all the points you can get in this game…

Rose’s Recommendation: 2* Hamilton Tiger-Cats +13

(Rating Scale 1* – 5*)