Hamilton @ CALGARY
CALGARY -8 +101 over Hamilton

BEST LINES:  Pinnacle -8 +101 BET365 -8 -105 SportsInteraction -8 -105 5DIMES -8 +100

Posted at 10:15 AM EST.

7:00 PM EST. For the first time, the CFL's entire opening week is being broadcast on ESPN 2. That's a big deal for many of the American players in this league, perhaps the most high profile being Hamilton's Johnny Manziel. "Johnny Football," as he is known south of the border, is something of an enigma going back to his run and gun days at Texas A&M. However, problems on and off the field had Manziel flame out early in his NFL career after the Browns took a chance on him in the first round of the 2014 draft. Manziel has always had vocal backers, who insist he can play at football's highest level, but he has a long way to go. While his redemption story will begin with him holding a clipboard for the Tiger-Cats, head coach June Jones didn't go out on a limb and recruit Johnny Football to play second fiddle. Sure, CFL veteran Jeremiah Masoli will begin the season as the starter, but he may be given a short leash, as the upside of Manziel is just too appealing on and off the field for Hamilton. Those #2 jerseys aren't going to sell themselves.

The fact they are going to be on prime time U.S. television isn't going to be lost on these Stampeders. The last time they were broadcast down south was in the Grey Cup where they were heavily favored. The Stamps unexpectedly lost to the Argonauts that day and there is little chance they will take this opponent lightly on Opening Day. Who better to take out their frustrations than against an overrated and overhyped Hamilton side? The chance to make a highlight reel impact could be very real, as word has swirled that Manziel will play at least some of this Week 1 opener. The buzz around this game could lead to a bigger crowd than usual at McMahon Stadium and the attention their opponents are receiving isn't going unnoticed, as Stamps quarterback, Bo Levi Mitchell pulled no punches when talking about the CFL's newest media darling, "Johnny has earned his own following ... first-round draft pick and everything he did in college. My thing is you have to go out here and earn your respect from the guys in this league because everybody is out there to prove you're not who you are."

That lack of respect for the Stampeders and their star QB goes further than just the media, as the market has taken a stand on this game for better or worse. The Stamps opened as nine-point favorites, but that number has come down, as the action continues to trend in Hamilton's direction. The dogs were barking in the first two games of the season and the line movement told the tale, as both Edmonton and Toronto were heavily backed as the favorites and neither team was able to cover the number. Now, the market sees a significant number like this and its reversing course. The Stamps are being sold short here on their home field in what is supposed to be a cold, wet night in Calgary. Swallow these points with confidence.

This wager is available at Bet365 and we’re going to move this into its own write-up later this week but for now, we’re officially playing the Tiger-Cats to go under this Season Win Total. 

Expectations are obviously high in Hamilton as well because the East Division appears to be wide open once again. The Ti-Cats are pegged to win 9½ games at some books, but that number is just too high. Hamilton starts its season with two tough road games out West with this Week 1 showdown in Calgary being followed up by an equally difficult contest in Edmonton next Friday night. The Ti-Cats then come home for one game against the Blue Bombers before heading back out to the prairies for a Week 4 date in Regina. Hamilton could easily be in a big hole at 0-4 or 1-3 before taking their first bye in Week 5. Play: Hamilton to go under 9½ -110  (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).

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Our Pick

CALGARY -8 +101 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.02)