CFL Betting: Argonauts travel to Hamilton

Toronto’s Cory Boyd leads the CFL with 792 yards rushing.

The Toronto Argonauts face off against the East Division rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a crucial midseason showdown. This Week 10 matchup is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 6 at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PT.

Toronto comes into this game in third place in the East Division with a 5-3 record both straight up and against the spread. The Argonauts are 2-2 on the road and 4-4 against the ‘over’ line. They are looking to build upon their early success this year after enduring two dismal seasons when they won a combined seven games.

After a shaky start, Hamilton has strung together three straight victories to raise its record to 4-4 SU and 2-1 at home. The Tiger-Cats are 4-4 ATS and 3-5 against the ‘over’ line. With Edmonton and B.C. struggling in the West Division, a win in this game not only gives them the edge over Toronto, it improves their position for a crossover spot in the playoffs.

In the first of three meetings this season just two weeks ago, Hamilton came away with a 16-12 road victory as a three point underdog. The game stayed way below the total line of 53 ½. In four games between these two teams last season, each won twice SU with Hamilton covering twice as a favorite and Toronto covering twice as an underdog. Three of the four games stayed under the total.

Sportsinteraction.com has Hamilton listed as a four-point CFL spread favorite for this game and the ‘over/under’ line is set at 50. The money line for this game is currently closed.

Toronto’s success this season can be attributed to the elevated play of its offense. QB Cleo Lemons has not been spectacular, but extremely effective at managing the games. He is completing over 60 percent of his passes and has thrown for seven TD’s. The real workhorse of the offense has been RB Cory Boyd, who leads the league with 792 rushing yards on 133 carries.

Defensively, the Argonauts are giving up an average of 439.3 yards per, worst in the league. They are ranked fifth against the run and last against the pass.

Hamilton’s offense is led by QB Kevin Glenn. In the first game against Toronto he completed 25-of-36 attempts for 247 yards. On the year he is ranked third in the league with 2,411 passing yards and has 14 TD throws. His primary target has been Arland Bruce, who leads the league in receiving with 812 yards.

These teams are tied in the middle of the pack in points allowed, each giving up an average of 26.9 per game.

Toronto is 5-5 ATS in its last 10 games and 2-3 ATS in its last five on the road. The total has gone over in five of its last 10 games and just twice in its last five road games.

Hamilton is 5-5 ATS in its last 10 games, but 4-2 its last six. The total has gone over in five of its last 10 games but just twice in its last seven.

These teams have not combined for more than 50 points in their last six games against one another and most of them have been good close battles. This one should be no different with Hamilton holding on to win by six, barely covering the four-point spread.