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 Game Day 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 favourite Ticats players. 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 first-place winner scoring four club level tickets for an upcoming Tiger-Cats home game!
As the Ticats make their second and final stop on their Alberta road trip, here are some of the questions for Friday’s matchup.
To make your picks, visit allaccess.ticats.ca/gameday!
1. For how many yards will Masoli throw: under or over 200?
Throwing for over 300 yards in the season opener now means that all eyes will be on Jeremiah Masoli.
Masoli shot the lights out last week as he incorporated the long, short and shovel pass into his game, catching the Calgary defenders off guard. Getting the ball out to receivers Mike Jones, Jalen Saunders and Luke Tasker made the Hamilton attack seem unstoppable at times. Generating long drives and pinning Calgary in on their own side of the field quickly showed Bo Levi and company that this was not last season’s Tiger-Cats.
Undoubtedly, there has been an increased amount of pressure placed on Masoli to perform this season due to the addition of former Cleveland Brown Johnny Manziel.
Masoli has seemed unphased with all the cameras and spectators as he has done nothing but use the pressure as motivation. Shining on one of the biggest stages last week, he effortlessly connected with Mike Jones for a highlight-reel 76-yard reception, carrying the Ticats into the Calgary red zone.
Seeming comfortable in the pocket and spreading out the ball to his receivers in every corner of the field, it seems likely Masoli will meet the 200-yard threshold for a second time this Friday.
My Prediction: Over
2. How many yards will Mike Jones record: under or over 100?
The 6-0, 181-pound receiver looked like a mainstay in the Ticats offence last week.
Just one game into this season, Mike Jones sits just 165 yards shy of his 2017 receiving yards total.
A 76-yard reception may have highlighted the peak of Jones’ game last week, but it doesn’t tell the full story. His ability to bob and weave his way in and out of Calgary coverage ensured that when Masoli targeted him, he was open.
My prediction: Over
3. How many rushing touchdowns will Jeremiah Masoli record: over or under one?
By the end of the 2017 season, Jeremiah Masoli had proven himself as a multi-dimensional quarterback. His ability to beat you through the air or on the ground became his calling card. Leaving defenders in the dust as he spun and juked his way to first downs captured the hearts of Hamiltonian football fans. After being slotted into the starting position for the 2018 season, Masoli didn’t hesitate to bring out what he built last season. Recording four touchdowns on 70 carries for 446 yards with his feet in 2017, it’s exciting to think about what he may do with more than 10 games on his plate this season.
Slotting him in a position to succeed within the run-pass option offence, head coach Jones has found a way to get the most out of his mobile quarterback. Showing flashes of what we can expect from the former Oregon and Ole Miss product, Masoli showcased his legs with a 13-yard run for a touchdown last week.
Given the momentum Hamilton and Masoli generated in the red zone, expect Masoli to come knocking on the goal line at least once or twice in this one.
My prediction: Over
4. How many passes will Larry Dean knock down: over or under three?
My prediction: Over
Edmonton’s offence replicates much of what the Tiger-Cats saw last week: a strong-arm quarterback in Mike Reilly and a good running back in C.J. Gable. Both Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell and Edmonton’s Mike Reilly are QBs that like to air the ball out. Attempting over 30 passes a game plays right into the hands of Larry Dean – literally.
Dean, who recorded two pass knockdowns in the week one matchup against the Stampeders, will have another chance to make an impact against a good West Division team. Much like Calgary’s offence, the Eskimos heavily rely on the passing game.
My prediction: Over
5. How many yards will Mercer Timmis rush for: under or over 75?
Settling into his role with the Tiger-Cats this season, Mercer Timmis showed Ticats fans what they can expect to see from him this season in week one.
The 6-2 220-pound running back from Burlington has yet to take regular snaps with the Tiger-Cats, but that hasn’t stopped him from contributing. Recording 56 rushing yards on 10 attempts in the preseason and 20 yards on six attempts last week, this Eskimos matchup poses an opportunity for Timmis.
Camouflaged by the performance of their offence, Edmonton’s weakness lies in their inability to stop the run game. They allowed 19 touchdowns on the ground last season – tied for last place in the Canadian Football League. Combine that with allowing 137 rushing yards last week against Winnipeg and this could be a recipe for success for a guy like Timmis.
My prediction: Over