TORONTO — Week 1 of the 2025 season is finally here.
Winter is over and an eventful off-season is behind us, as Canadian football will grace our televisions and entertain us at stadiums across the country in just a few days’ time.
So 100% of the CFL.ca writers are picking Saskatchewan, Montreal and Hamilton?
Yes!!!
Lots of faith considering sask aged qb
The offseason was a like a game of 52 card pickup. No one knows how the season will begin or end, because no one knows if the new head-coaches in Edmonton and BC can actually coach, if Alexander is truly THE guy or if Ford can be consistent enough to warrant QB1, and all that says nothing about how the new faces in new places will come together or not. Hamilton has the edge vs the Stamps because this is year two in their system but can the D make VA uncomfortable? The Riders probably know their teammate’s names, which is more than anyone other than the Bombers can say, so Riders at home over RBs seems probable. The Argos seem to find a way to rise above expectations but without Chad and being a locker room full of strangers, the ALs should manage a win (assuming Alexander turns out to be who he seemed to be in relief). Finally, BC and Elks. I’m not sure a guy can go from special teams to HC but I seriously doubt a fired special teams guy can become a successful HC. Regardless, Tre is exciting in spurts but he is pretty inconsistent. I’m not sure when—in the season—Cody will takeover but I suspect he will. Buck P and Nathan R are intriguing. I’ll be interested in seeing how their relationship plays out. The game is a toss up, but I’ll put my thumb on the scale and give it to BC.
True, but he should make it through one game injury free [fingers and toes crossed].
Ottawa 24, SK 17
Tor 21 Mon 20
Ham 31 Cgy 27
BC 28 Edm 7
Like O’shea? Ok, not fired but was that the real point of your statement? Also i think MTL has the most continuity aside from Sask. Lots of change in the peg. CD also made the west final with Sask his first couple years.
The Escalators are my daring upset pick, and my Stamps are my irresponsible pick.
Fair critique of my take. O’Shea is probably the exception and not the rule. I hope it works out for the Elks though. The fans need some fun. I agree re the ALs continuity but I was thinking more about Alexander. I hope he builds on last season. Would make the season more exciting.
I love the bold picks
If Cody Fajardo takes over during the season, I don’t think it will be due to Tre Ford being inconsistent, but more to do with injury. I would think that could be the bigger concern which is why they brought in a back up like Cody in the first place. If Tre does go out with injury, the EE can’t have the level of play drop drastically as it may have with some back ups. I’m hopeful that Jordan Maksymic will design around Tre Ford’s skill sets. The previous regime seemed to set Tre Ford up for failure and especially in that Winnipeg game last season. That play calling did him no favours. I predict a win for the EE. Excited for Saturday and our season ahead.
I will stand by my inconsistency issue re Ford until he proves otherwise but I do agree, if the staff calls plays to meet his skill set, he will improve. Too, Cody is similarly gifted so there should be no need to greatly alter play-calling if/when he is needed. I do hope they all succeed. Elks fans deserve better than they have been getting.
Looking at the Elks depth chart for the BC game, I count 10 Canadian starters? I am seeing things?
I’m not positive but you may be right. I did read on the forum somewhere this week that Edmonton could start 10 Canadians.
They lost so maybe that will change
ouch and not sure how you get the first 2 wrong because they are the easy ones.
I confess to having been fully taken in by the Hamilton hype. I do not get to watch all the games so I might be off base but it seems to me that the Ticats lack the bulk, strength, and toughness on the defensive line that seems to be the hallmark of playoff-level teams. I do hope they can find a way forward this season, because having a solid team in that market brings real energy to the league.