Ticats All Access Game Day Predictor, presented by Sports Interaction: Week 13 vs. Roughriders
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 55.5?
Last season the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders met on two occasions. The first was a particularly high-scoring affair in which the Ticats posted 53 points, and the Riders posted just seven. The second meeting was a little more subdued, with the teams combining for 38 points in a close contest. This season, the Ticats and Riders met in week three, with the Roughriders securing the victory by a score of 37 to 20 (or 57 combined points).
There have been numerous changes to both teams since last season, and in the case of the Tiger-Cats, numerous changes since week three. Those changes make it difficult to predict Friday’s result.
The Roughriders field a receiving corps that is arguably the class of the league, headlined by Naaman Roosevelt, Duron Carter, and Bakari Grant, as well as national depth in the young Nic Demski (although injured), and grizzled veteran, Rob Bagg. At the start of the season, Glenn didn’t take full advantage of his talented targets and the Riders came out of the gate with just 2 wins in their first six contests. Since then, the Riders’ fortunes have changed in a big way.
The Roughriders average31.7 points per game on the season, and generate the most first downs of any team in the league. Those numbers have sky rocketed in the last four games however, as the green and white have averaged 40.25 points per game in that stretch and own a streaking record of 3-1.
In the Banjo Bowl, Glenn once again posted stellar numbers, passing for 327 yards and two touchdowns in a little less than three quarters of work. His night was cut short however, as he suffered an injury to his throwing hand and was forced out of the game. Should Glenn be unavailable for action on Friday, the starting duties would fall to the unproven Brandon Bridge. If Bridge gets the start, the implications could be huge. Bridge is an athletic quarterback who likes using his legs, as he demonstrated on a leaping touchdown against the Bombers in relief of Glenn last Saturday. It’s his arm that comes into question. Bridge may own a cannon, but critics suggest that he lacks touch. Although Bridge has looked competent and at times exciting in his limited opportunities this season, but there is still some question as to whether he can string together 60 productive minutes. Can the Riders’ offence continue to hum with Bridge behind center?
The Tiger-Cats have improved offensively of late. Since June Jones took over as head coach, the Tiger-Cats have averaged six more points per game than they did prior to his promotion.
Some fresh faces are factoring into the Ticats offense, and the team has signed a number of NFL cuts recently. The Masoli-led offence appears more capable of putting points on the board but has still relied on a strong defence to earn wins.
The Roughriders’ offence has caught fire recently, and the Ticats are riding a two game win streak, but I can’t overlook the Glenn injury in a game where the over/under is set at an aggressive 55.5 points.
Prediction: Under
- How many receiving yards will Jalen Saunders record? Over or under 59.5?
Jalen Saunders broke into the 2017 season with two impressive starts. In the first game of his CFL career, he posted 78 yards on six receptions. He followed up that debut with 147 yards and a touchdown against BC a week later. Saunders is the Ticats leading receiver on the season, despite spending week one on the practice roster.
Saunders has a body type and skill set that lends itself to Coach Jones’ offensive system. Watching the success of the under-sized speedster Brandon Banks in week 11 against the Argos, one had a feeling Saunders would return to his early season form under Coach Jones. Not be outdone, Saunders made his presence felt in Ottawa, where he posted 88 yards on just four receptions. Saunders continued to be a downfield threat, averaging 22 yards per reception in that game.
With the over/under set at a conservative 59.5 yards, the inconsistency in Saunders’ production is the only factor that brings the result into question. Saunders is clearly capable of hitting the 60-yard mark (in week three, he more than doubled it), but he has bested that total just three times in nine starts.
All things considered, the recent changes in the Ticats offence are enough for me to expect fireworks from the talented receiver.
Prediction: Over
- How many rushing yards will Kienan LaFrance record? Over or under 54.5?
Kevin Glenn isn’t the only offensive weapon missing for the Roughriders. Starting running back Cameron Marshall suffered an injury late in the second quarter of the Labour Day Classic. His timeline for return is at least another two to three weeks according to Saskatchewan Head Coach Chris Jones, and that means another tailback will be suiting up against the Ticats on Friday.
In the Banjo Bowl, national running back Kienan LaFrance stepped in and performed admirably in the starting role. Despite sharing touches with fellow countryman Greg Morris, LaFrance was able to compile 70 all-purpose yards and a touchdown.
Unfortunately for LaFrance and the Riders, he averaged just 4.1 yards per carry, despite an average boosting rush of 13 yards in the third quarter.
The Tiger-Cats rank second in the CFL in opponent rush average, surrendering just 4.7 yards per carry. Couple that with the potential for increased action from Greg Morris, and I don’t see LaFrance having a big night in Hamilton.
Prediction: Under
- How many first half points will the Tiger-Cats record? Over or under 14.5?
Masoli and the Ticats came out of the gate swinging against the Redblacks. The Ticats posted 23 points in the first half at TD Place Stadium. The team amassed a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, and would have won the game even if held scoreless through the second half.
There was a noticeable drop-off in offensive production after half time, but that could partially be attributed to fatigue, as the Ticats were on the road coming off a five day turnaround.
The Roughriders have outscored opponents by 49 points in the first half of the last four games they’ve played. The Ticats will have to put points on the board out of the gate to avoid falling into an early hole against the Riders.
Prediction: Over
- Who will lead the Tiger-Cats in defensive tackles?
- Larry Dean
- Demond Washington
- Richard Leonard
- Simoni Lawrence
- Other
Larry Dean leads the team in defensive tackles so far this season, but Demond Washington had the most last week with eight on the night.
Although Simoni Lawrence’s 2017 numbers haven’t met his high standards, the veteran linebacker tends to have one exceptional performance a season. Perhaps Friday’s the day for Lawrence.
Prediction: Simoni Lawrence
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