Week 1 Preview
The CFL Season is back and kicks off tonight in Saskatchewan!
The CFL is finally back after a long offseason as the Ottawa Redblacks take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina.
Game One: Ottawa Redblacks @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
Ottawa and Saskatchewan will kick off the 2025 season tonight at 9 EST. Both teams were knocked out in the Conference semifinals last year with Ottawa losing to Toronto and Saskatchewan losing to BC. Last season the Saskatchewan defence was outstanding as Rolan Milligan Jr led the league in interceptions. Ottawa on the other hand signed star receiver Eugene Lewis. Lewis is currently on a 8 game touchdown streak and if he scores tonight he will tie for the second longest streak in CFL history with 9. The record is ten. My prediction for this game is going to be the home team Saskatchewan Roughriders taking down the RedBlacks.
Game 2: Toronto Argonauts @ Montreal Alouettes
Last year we saw this Matchup in the Eastern Final, where the Argos upset the Als despite their qb Chad Kelly breaking his leg in the game. Nick Arbuckle is likely to start as he took first string reps at practice this week. For Montreal it will be Davis Alexander as QB1 after Cody Fajardo became an Elk behind Tre Ford. While Toronto should be heavy favorites in this game I would pick the Alouettes to get revenge after last seasons heartbreaker.
Game Three: Hamilton Tiger-Cars @ Calgary Stampeders
Be ready for a huge aerial attack in this game as two top qbs in Bo Levi Mitchell and Vernon Adam’s Jr take the stage in this game. Bo led the CFL in passing yards with 5451 and touchdowns with 32 and was the East Division MOP nominee. Vernon Adam’s Jr on the other hand is getting his first start with The Stanpeders, Bo’s original team. VA was likely going to be the MOP last year before an injury and then losing the starting spot to Nathan Rourke. Two of the biggest offseason moves were from there two teams when Calgary traded for Vernon Adam’s and when Hamilton signed the best receiver in the game Kenny Lawler. With VAs firepower I have to expect Calgary to be one of the top teams this year, winning this game easily and denying Bo Levi Mitchell his 100th career win.
Game 4: Edmonton Elks @ BC Lions
In the final matchup of week one we get to see two top Canadian players in the league go head to head. Nathan Rourke and Tre Ford will each lead their squads in this matchup. Rourke became the starter after returning from the NFL and became the franchise QB as he signed a 3 year extension this offseason when BC traded VA. Tre split time with McLoud Bethel-Thompson last year but finished strong with 325 yards and three touchdowns in week 21 against Toronto. This game will be the first time since 1968 that two Canadian quarterbacks have faced each other in a game and will be the first time that two Canadian pivots have gone head to head in a Week 1 game in CFL history. I have to pick the Elks to win this game for two reasons. Tre Ford is one of the best players in this league and has potential to be one of the best ever, and second I truly don’t believe any of the Nathan Rourke hype. Last year he had 4 passing touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Snoop Dogg is performing pregame at BC Place for this game so don’t forget to tune in to the game.