SEMIFINALS B.C. at Hamilton (-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
The only team worse than the Lions on the road this season was the Argos, who failed to win a game away from BMO Field. The Leos, along with the Eskimos, were 2-7 away from home, which makes the mountain they have to climb on Sunday even higher. There will very likely be elements, and they are unlikely to affect the running skills of Ticats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back Alex Green. Tiger-Cats by 12.
Also from:
THE INSIDERS SAY Anonymous thoughts from CFL general managers and coaches:
• Hamilton rested 10 to 12 starters against Montreal. B.C. played all of their starters against Calgary. I don’t know why they did that, but it’s a big advantage for Hamilton. They’re going to win.
• The weather has changed. It’s playoff weather now. Hamilton has to run the ball 20 to 25 times to beat B.C. June Jones won’t do that.
I think Bellefeuille's downfall was less about resting starters before the playoffs, and more about his starters taking the day off for the 2011 Eastern Final.
I seem to recall them starting everyone for the first half just trying to get certain guys to milestone yardage markers, ie 5000 for Glenn, 1000 for a couple receivers. Glenn seemed like he was forcing the ball to those guys and they fell out of rythm before the playoffs... Kind of like a contact hitter entering the homerun derby and messing up his swing after the all star break. maybe just my take, but that was the sense I got of the situation.
