Ticats All Access Game Day Predictor, presented by Sports Interaction: Week 12 vs. Redblacks
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 points will both teams score combined? Over or under 54.5?
The last time the Redblacks and Tiger-Cats met, the over/under was set at a conservative 47.5. After the teams combined for 55 points in week nine, the over/under value was adjusted. Regardless of the most recent result between the two teams, their combined point average remains at a value of just 48 points per game.
The Tiger-Cats experienced an offensive upswing in their most recent game against the Argonauts. The team exceeded its average point total by about a major score, and it was ultimately enough to edge the Argos on Labour Day.
The Ticats may require even more offence to secure the victory against the East-leading Redblacks, as the point total they scored against the Argos still falls short of Ottawa’s total of 28.5 points per game.
The Ticats offence has seen some improvement since Coach Jones took over the helm, and is taking steps in the right direction. The Redblacks are riding a three-game win streak and will be in tough to keep it rolling against a spirited Hamilton squad.
Prediction: Over
- How many receiving yards will Brandon Banks record? Over or under 89.5?
Brandon Banks had a productive game against the Toronto Argonauts in the Labour Day Classic. The speedy veteran recorded 98 receiving yards and a touchdown, in addition to 23 punt return yards. Banks has been the major beneficiary of Coach Jones’ new offensive concepts, however there are other players in the lineup that stand to benefit as well. Jalen Saunders comes to mind.
Saunders broke into the lineup with a bang, posting 225 yards in his first two CFL games. Since, he hasn’t been able to recreate his early success, averaging less than 40 yards per game. Saunders has a body and a skillset that seems primed for Coach Jones offensive mentality. He may return to form under the new coaching regime.
Banks posted impressive yardage and garnered numerous targets in a game for the Tabbies where he had little competition for touches. If Masoli elects to spread the ball around to a greater variety of targets, Banks will likely see his production suffer a decline.
Prediction: Under
- How many yards per carry will CJ Gable average? Over or under 6.2?
CJ Gable was effective despite limited carries on Labour Day. The tough running back posted just 43 yards rushing, but was able to do so with relatively few touches. Gable had 6 carries against Toronto, but averaged an impressive 7.2 yards per carry. His yardage production after contact was most impressive, as he was able to break tackles in order to generate more positive yardage. Gable’s longest rush of the night wasn’t huge, just 15 yards, but that means he was able to maintain a high average without relying on a single vertical run. His game is consistent, hard-fought production, which bodes well for his average regardless of how many touches he may be given.
Prediction: Over
- How many receptions will Brad Sinopoli record? Over or under 7.5?
Sinopoli has been an excellent player for the Redblacks. He ranks third in receiving yards so far this season and has already eclipsed the 800 yard mark (albeit with games in hand over the competition). Part of the reason for his large yardage total is the number of receptions he gets on a per-game basis.
This accomplishment is all the more impressive because he is the only national player in the top ten receivers in the league. You have to go all the way down to number 15 to find another national talent, where Winnipeg-native Andrew Harris has 562 yards receiving. Another factor that contributes to Sinopli’s dominance is his exceptional yards after catch production. Sinopoli has the most YAC yards of any of the league’s top ten receivers. In the top fifteen, only Andrew Harris (a running back who generates the majority of his receiving yards on short dumps and screen passes) has more. In fact, Sinopoli ranks second in the league in YAC yards.
If the Tiger-cats hope to contain Ottawa’s number two receiver, they will have to disrupt the ball through the air, and also make sure tackles in the open field.
Prediction: Over
- Which Tiger-Cat will record an interception?
- Richard Leonard
- Emanuel Davis
- Demond Washington
- Other
- Nobody
Trevor Harris has protected the ball well this season, conceding just seven interceptions against 22 touchdowns in 11 games. The Ticats defensive backs will have to make plays if they want to steal possessions from Harris and the Redblacks’ offence.
Break-out cornerback Leonard leads the team in interceptions with three. He’s been a shining light in the Ticats secondary and the only defensive back to start every game for the Tiger-Cats.
In each of the last two seasons, Emanuel Davis has recorded five interceptions. Going into his third start of the 2017 season, he’ll have to snag a pick sometime in the next couple games in order to match that pace.
Prediction: Emanuel Davis
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