Ticats All Access Game Day Predictor, presented by Sports Interaction: Week 5 vs. Eskimos
Think you know Tiger-Cats football inside and out? In the hours leading up to every Tiger-Cats game, Ticats All Access members can log in and lock in their picks as part of our Game Day Predictor contest, presented by Sports Interaction. Prove you’re the most knowledgeable fan by answering a series 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. Each week, the Predictor player with the most correct answers wins four Club Level tickets to an upcoming Tiger-Cats home game.
Here are five of the questions for this week’s game, 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: allaccess.ticats.ca/gameday
How many total points will be scored? Over or under 51.5?
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats played the Edmonton Eskimos three times last season, rare for a Western division opponent. The extra contest came in the East Semi-Final, with the Esks earning a crossover playoff spot. There’s a lot of recent history between these teams.
In three meetings in 2016, the teams averaged 56 points combined. The highest scoring affair was the first meeting of the season, where the teams combined to put 68 points on the board. After that game, the teams battled through two hard-fought defensive gridlocks.
This season, both the Eskimos and the Tiger-Cats have not been overwhelming offensively. Some might disagree with the conservative evaluation of Edmonton’s offence, (which is unquestionably studded with game-breakers) however the statistics can’t be ignored. The Eskimos average 25.3 points per game, are sixth in offensive yards per game, and sixth in passing yards per game. The real strength of the Eskimos offence lies in the run game. The Eskimos undefeated record is just as much a product of a stout defense as an effective offence.
Hamilton fullback Carl-Olivier Prime expects another close battle on Thursday.
“They’re the kind of team I like to play. It’s back and forth. The momentum is shifting all the time,” he said.
In this contest, the better defencive performance will win the day.
Prediction: Under
How many yards will Travon Van rush for? Over or under 69.5?
When John White was sidelined with injury in the Esks’ second game of the season, there was some concern about the team’s running game moving forward. Travon Van immediately stepped up however, looking good in relief against Montreal. Van looked even better the following week against Ottawa, posting over 100 rushing yards plus a few more through the air.
The Eskimos enormous offensive line, averaging 6’7 and 318 pounds, is likely contributing to the success of Edmonton tailbacks. Even if Van has a down performance, the offensive line can have an impact on his production.
Prediction: Over
How many interceptions will the Tiger-Cats record? Over or under 1.5?
So far this season, the Tiger-Cats defensive backs have been ball-hawkers, even with Emanuel Davis out of the lineup.
Richard Leonard’s two interceptions are good for second in the league.
Justin Rogers returned an interception for a touchdown, and Khalid Wooten added his own interception to the list against the Lions on Saturday.
Prediction: Over
How many total yard of offence will the Tiger-Cats record? Over or under 349.5?
Through three games, Hamilton is averaging 305.3 yards of offence per game, despite the fact that the offensive production in the first two games was below expectations.
Through games one and two, the Ticats averaged 237 yards of offence per game. In game three the offence improved significantly, with the Ticats posting 442 total yards of offence.
Edmonton’s defence has been effective so far this season, and Collaros and the Hamilton pass attack are in for a tough contest.
Prediction: Over
How many field goals will Sergio Castillo hit? Over or under 2.5?
Sergio Castillo has erased any lingering question marks at kicker for the Tiger-Cats. Although he hasn’t been called on very often, he has kicked field goals at a 100% success rate. Tim Hortons Field is a difficult stadium to kick in, and in his first home start he hit his longest attempt of the season, splitting the uprights from 48 yards out.
In addition he has been an effective punter, averaging 43.7 yards per punt.
The question is not if Castillo will capitalize on his opportunities, but whether or not he will get them.
Prediction: Under
