Many questions will be answered in Saturday’s contest between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-4) and the Calgary Stampeders (3-1-1).
Can the Ticats find the secret to the Stampeders’ home dominance?
Going back all the way back to the start of the 2012 season, the Stamps are an impressive 41-6 when playing at McMahon. In the team’s most recent twenty home starts, that record becomes 19-1. You have to go back to 2004 to find a season where the Stamps posted a home record below .500. McMahon may be one of the oldest stadiums in the CFL, but with a record like that, the Stamps couldn’t be happier at home.
Can the Stamps continue the West Division’s dominance over the East?
So far this season, the West has a 10-2-1 record against the East. The only Eastern team that has been able to manufacture victories over the West is the Montreal Alouettes, who paradoxically are winless against the East. The superiority of the West Division in the CFL is a trend that has been apparent for numerous years.
Can Collaros repeat last year’s standout performance against the Stamps in Calgary?
Collaros hopes he can answer ‘yes’, as he threw for 439 yards and three touchdowns in his week 10 start last year against Calgary’s league-leading defence at McMahon. This year the Stamps’ defence ranks below average in both rush yards and passing yards conceded per game. If the Ticats can stretch the field with the speed of Saunders, and force the ball on the ground with a run game that’s picking up steam, they stand to exploit the Calgary defence.
Can the Stamps’ defensive front repeat last game’s dominant performance?
The Ticats’ offensive line will have their hands full with Charleston Hughes and the Stampeders’ defensive front. Hughes is coming off a three sack performance against the Roughriders, and the Calgary defensive line made Glenn uncomfortable in the pocket all night. The Ticats’ new starters at tackle, Lamar Holmes and Quinterrius Eatmon (making his first CFL start at right tackle), as well as the interior of the Ticats offensive line, will have to carry over last game’s strong play against the Calgary pass rush.
Head Coach Kent Austin opted to start Ticats’ running back CJ Gable in lieu of Ross Scheuerman, presumably for the greater pass protection Gable affords. Coach Austin has always touted Gable as a premiere blocking back.
Can the return of Abdul Kanneh be a difference maker in the Tiger-Cat secondary?
In particular with the injury to Keon Lyn, the return of Abdul Kanneh is a huge boost for the Ticats. The CFL veteran and Grey Cup-winning all-star may provide a jolt for a Ticats’ secondary that looked composed against the Eskimos until the Lyn injury.
At the end of the day, only one question matters for Head Coach Kent Austin and his squad. Can the Tiger-Cats secure their first victory of the season?
