Do you think you know everything there is to about your Hamilton Tiger-Cats? Well here is your chance to prove it with this season’s Gameday Predictor Challenge. Hours before every kickoff, Ticats All Access members can log in to their accounts and make picks as part of our weekly Game Day Predictor contest (Presented by Sports Interaction). This contest allows you to flaunt your Ticats knowledge and predict the outcome to situational questions about your favorite Ticats players. With the more questions you answer correctly, the more Ticats All Access yards you have a chance to win. Along with the weekly series of questions, there will be a weekly prize with the 1st place winner scoring four club level tickets for an upcoming Tiger-Cats home game!
With the regular season a matter of hours away, here are five questions for this Saturday’s game against the Calgary Stampeders.
To make your picks, visit allaccess.ticats.ca/gameday!
1. How many yards will quarterback Jeremiah Masoli throw for? Over or under 250?
After finishing lasts season with 3177 passing yards and an average of over 250 yards a game, Masoli now has a new and improved roster to target. Bolstering his stats and proving that he is in the conversation for the top quarterback in the league is something Masoli is looking to prove as well as building on last strides made last season. In his last matchup against the Stampeders in 2017, Masoli threw for 320-yards. Given how strong Calgary was, this was not an easy task. Calgary closed the season with a league-high 20 interceptions and led the league with the lowest points allowed with 390 on the year.
My prediction: Over
2. How many Field goals will Lirim Hajrullahu record? Over or under 3?
In both preseason games this season, Hajrullahu was nothing short of spectacular for Hamilton. The former Toronto kicker turned Hamiltonian, has made his presence as a Tiger-Cat well known. Hajrullahu has had a career-long reputation of being able to hit the long ball as well as performing when the pressure is the highest. With multiple attempts surpassing the 50+ yard distance under tense situations, he brings a lot to this game against the Stampeders.
Whether it is a field goal from 30+ yards out or securing the extra point after a touchdown, you can expect Hajrullahu’s name will be called quite frequently on Saturday.
My prediction: Over
3. How many touches will Nikita Whitlock record? Over or under 3?
It was announced by Coach June Jones that running back Alex Green would not be in the lineup and would be out “a couple weeks” due to a hand injury. This now poses an interesting opportunity for full/running back Nikita Whitlock to fill in at the running back position with the Tiger-Cats. During the first preseason game of the year, Whitlock got his touches against the Argos running for 13 -yards on three carries. During the second, he managed 1 carry for 12-yards.
My Prediction: Over
4. How many points will Hamilton hold Calgary too? Over or under 15?
Hamilton’s defence has been one area that has arguably improved the most this offseason. In both preseason games they have proven that they are capable of big things. Against the Argonauts in week one, Hamilton’s defensive line recorded four sacks and capped the night with an interception. In similar fashion against the Alouettes, Hamiton grabbed three sack and one interception. Going into week one, you can expect the same.
My prediction: Under
How many rushing touchdowns will the Tiger-Cats score? Over or under 3?
Given the complexity of Coach June Jones’ RPO offence, red zone coverage from the Calgary Stampeders may translate to rushing touchdowns for Hamilton. Last season, Hamilton showed that they were more than capable of keeping the ball on the ground and rushing their way to wins after finding their groove with Jones’ new offence.
In Hamilton’s last matchup against the Stampeders in 2017, Masoli and Green showed that they can run as they both reached the end zone, one for Masoli and two for Green.
If preseason is any indication of how this game will go, look for the Whitlock-Masoli tandem to pick up yards with their feet inside. Both have shown they are not a player to take lightly, especially inside the 30-yard marker, and I expect them to each to cross the goal line.
My prediction: Over