Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Zach Collaros (4) looks for the handoff against the Edmonton Eskimos during first half CFL action in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday August 21, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.
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:
- Earn 100 bonus yards for making your Predictor Game picks before midnight tonight (Thurs, Sept. 17)
- Earn 50 bonus yards for making your Predictor Game picks before midnight tomorrow night (Fri, Sept. 18)
- Earn 50 bonus yards for logging in to your All Access account on the Tim Hortons Field WIFI during Saturday’s game
- Earn 40 bonus yards for correctly predicting both combined points and final score outcome (Questions 1 and 20)
- Earn 30 bonus yards for correctly predicting completions for Zach Collaros and receiving yards for Luke Tasker (Questions 9 and 10)
- Earn 20 bonus yards for correctly predicting total yards for Mike Reilly and the Eskimos receptions leader (Questions 16 and 17)
Here are five of the questions for this week’s home game against Edmonton, 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. What will the longest pass completion be? Over or under 40.5 yards? (Question #4)
The Ticats and Eskimos are first and third respectively in 30+ yard pass completions this season, and the return of Mike Reilly only solidifies that aspect of the game for Edmonton. Reilly and Collaros are both more than capable of airing the ball out and they both possess a number of talented weapons in the pass game. Despite the two talented defences they’ll have to go up against, look for either or both quarterbacks to complete a pass of 40+ yards in this game.
Prediction: Over
2. Who will lead the Eskimos in receptions? A) Adarius Bowman B) Kenny Stafford C) Derel Walker D) Kendial Lawrence E) Other (Question #16)
Adarius Bowman leads the Eskimos and is second in the league with 716 receiving yards this season, and he leads the league in targets with 100 through 10 games. That being said, Derel Walker has been on an absolute tear since being inserted into the Eskimos’ lineup, amassing 555 yards in juts five games. While Bowman leads the team in targets, Walker has averaged a league-high 12.2 targets per game and has caught 65.6% of those targets. Bowman and recently-returned quarterback Mike Reilly have chemistry that surely does not exist yet with Walker, but Walker played a significant role for the Esks in their last game against the Ticats, when he caught 14 passes for 183 yards. Either Bowman or Walker would be a good choice in this circumstance, but I’m going to be choosing Walker.
Prediction: Walker
3. How many first quarter points will be scored? Over or under 12.5? (Question #7)
The Ticats have scored a league-high 122 first-quarter points through 11 games, averaging over 10 per game on their own. That being said, the Ticats (42) and Eskimos (43) are first and second respectively in fewest first-quarter points allowed this season, making this question a tough one to predict. Games at Tim Hortons Field this season have averaged 14.6 points in the first quarter, opposing teams are averaging under three points and have been shutout on three of five occasions. Factoring in the rain that is expected for Saturday’s game, it could be more difficult for the offences to move the ball down the field, especially early as they adjust to the conditions. This one could really go either way, but I’m going to wager the under this week.
Prediction: Under
4. How many receiving yards will Luke Tasker record? Over or under 79.5? (Question #10)
Luke Tasker has been exceptional in 2015, averaging over 85 receiving yards per game in seven games, and he continued his success in Toronto last weekend with eight receptions, 89 yards and a touchdown. The last time these two teams squared off Tasker exploded for 129 yards on five receptions against the Eskimos secondary. Tasker and Collaros have been on the same page all season, and there’s no reason to expect a drop-off in the production this week.
Prediction: Over
5. What will be the final score outcome? A) Ticats +8, B) Ticats +4, C) Even D) Argos +4, E) Argos +8 (Question #20)
The Ticats piled onto the Eskimos in their last matchup in Edmonton, topping their West Division foes by a score of 49-20. The scoreboard showed a blowout for the Ticats, but that did not tell the whole story of the game. The Eskimos found life when James Franklin entered the game, scoring all of their points after the rookie quarterback entered the game. With Edmonton trailing by 22, the Ticats forced two turnovers inside their own 30-yard line, holding off any attempts at a comeback. In other words, the Eskimos played the Ticats tighter than the scoreboard showed, and they’ll take the field on Saturday with their starting quarterback in the lineup. I’m picking the Ticats to continue their success at Tim Hortons Field on Saturday, but don’t expect the Eskimos to go down without a fight.
Prediction: Ticats +4
