During each Tiger-Cats game, fans who sign up for Ticats All Access will have the opportunity to participate in our game day predictor. Fans will have the chance to prove that they are the most knowledgeable (or luckiest) fan, by answering a number of props questions prior to kickoff. The more questions you get right, the more yards you collect for your All Access account, which increase your chances for game day and weekly prizes.
This week we have a number of bonus opportunities available, as well as the chance to win $10,000 in prizing. Here are five of the questions for this week’s Mark’s Labour Day Weekend game against the Argonauts, and which answers I’ll be choosing. For a full list of questions and to participate in the game, sign up for Ticats All Access and get your answers in-> http://allaccess.ticats.ca/
1. How many completions will Zach Collaros throw? Over under 20.5 completions? (Question #10)
The Toronto Argonauts defence has allowed over 70% of pass attempts against them to be completed. Last time the two teams squared off Collaros completed 77.8% of his attempts for a total of 21 completions. The last meeting between the two teams was decided early, leading to a diversion from the Ticats regular pass-heavy offence. If Monday’s game is closer (and even if it isn’t) expect Collaros to complete 21 or more passes against the Argos defence.
Prediction: Over
2. How many interceptions will both teams record, combined? Over or under 2.5? (Question #3)
Trevor Harris and Zach Collaros are number one and three in the league respectively when it comes to completion percentage, and both own TD-INT ratios of 2.5 or greater. Both quarterbacks are efficient and smart with the football, and neither tends to make rushed or ill-advised decisions with the football. If the league’s two leading quarterbacks in efficiency rating maintain the composure and poise with which they’ve played all season, it’s hard to expect them to combine for three or more interceptions thrown in the game.
Prediction: Under
3. How many sacks will the Tiger-Cats defence record? Over or under 2.5 sacks? (Question #12)
Thanks to a quick-release offence and strong pass protection, the Argonauts offensive line has allowed a sack per 13.6 drop-backs; through nine games the team has allowed 24 sacks at a pace of 2.7 per game. The Ticats defence has been hit and miss all season with sacks and are now missing their sacks leader, Eric Norwood, to injury. Adrian Tracy is a more than capable replacement for Norwood in the lineup, but he’ll likely have to get himself up to game speed before the previous production can be matched. All that being said, the factors lean in favour of a lower sack total in Monday’s game.
Prediction: Under
4. How many first half points will be scored? Over or under 26.5? (Question #8)
The Tiger-Cats have been an explosive team in the first half of games this season, out-scoring opponents 204-88 in the first two quarters. At home, the team has nearly doubled their opponents’ point total (147-74) and a significant chunk of that damage has been done early in the game. Toronto, on the other hand, has been severely outscored in the first half of games, allowing 137 points to their own 96. The Argos have allowed the third-most first half points of any team in the CFL, and their combined point totals on the road are the highest in the league at 56 per game. Factoring in both teams’ tendencies throughout the 2015 season, there’s a good chance that the first half in the Labour Day Classic is a high-scoring one.
Prediction: Over
5. What will the final score outcome of the Labour Day Classic game be? (Question #20)
A) Ticats +8 B) Ticats +4 C) Even D) Argos +4 E) Argos +8
The first game in which these two East Division rivals were pitted against each other resulted in a 16-point win for the Ticats; Hamilton jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back. In four home games this season Hamilton has a 73-point advantage over their visiting counterparts, and that includes the three-point loss to the Alouettes. The average margin of victory at Tim Hortons Field this season has been +18, and it’s not absurd to think that success will continue on Labour Day. That being said, the Argos do have a strong team and the Ticats are dealing with a number of injuries this week, so I’m going to predict a victory but not another blowout.
Prediction: Ticats + 4
