Week 5 Preview

By Jarrett Rusnak

The following are my personal picks for week 5.

Edmonton @ Winnipeg

This marks the Bombers first home game of the season, and it couldn’t come at a better time.  After starting 2012 at 0-4 on the road, Winnipeg is hoping that the home field advantage enjoyed by every team in the CFL this year continues for themselves as well.  Home teams have won all but two games thus far in this young CFL season, yet the order remains a tall one.  Edmonton is a surprising 3-1 and boasts the best defence in the league.  Winnipeg will be looking to attack that defence with back-up quarterback Alex Brink taking snaps.  I believe the universe contains mysteries beyond our understanding.  This makes no sense, but I’m picking the downtrodden Bombers to upset Edmonton.

My Pick: Winnipeg

Toronto @ Montreal

The road to the Grey Cup has run through Montreal for the past decade.  That truth remains somewhat truthy in 2012, but Les Alouettes have lost their ‘mystique’.  AC’s still been putting up the points, but teams are scoring on Jeff Reinbold’s defence at will.

Someone needs to stick a microphone in front of that man by the way, he’s one of the most colorful characters in the CFL.  Who else can lose 20+ games in two seasons as Head Coach in Winnipeg, and still be loved by fans?

I digress.  Toronto’s offence is identical to the one being deployed in Montreal, courtesy of Coach Milanovich, who spent time in Montreal as OC the past four seasons.  Unlike Montreal, Toronto’s defence is stout.

My Pick: Toronto

Hamilton @ Saskatchewan

Having just moved to Toronto from Regina, my love for the Roughriders remains strong.  It’s possible my opinion may be biased, but here it goes.  Darian Durant is the best quarterback ever!  Coach Chamblin is the best Head Coach ever!  Weston Dressler is the best receiver ever!  Richie Hall’s defence is the best defence ever!  Craig Dickenson’s special teams unit is the best one ever!  This 2012 Saskatchewan Roughrider squad is the best Saskatchewan team ever!

My Pick: Saskatchewan

BC @ Calgary

Speaking of mystiques being lost, please allow me to present the 2012 BC Lions.  Many predicted a 16-2, or 15-3 type season for this team.  After four weeks, they’re 2-2 and looking quite average.  Calgary is looking surprisingly plucky with back-up quarterback Kevin Glenn at the helm.  If BC pays less attention to pre-season newspaper headlines, and more attention to the game plan, they win.

My Pick: Calgary