Do you think you know everything there is to about your Hamilton Tiger-Cats? Well here’s 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 can 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!
The bye week blues have come and gone for the Tiger-Cats jump back as they strap in for the rest of the season. Welcoming the Roughriders into Tim Hortons Field to complete a home-and-home series, here are this week’s predictor questions.
To make your picks, visit allaccess.ticats.ca/gameday!
How many yards will Jeremiah Masoli throw for: under or over 300?
Jeremiah Masoli is coming into this game as one of the hottest quarterbacks in the Canadian Football League.
Throwing for another 300+ yard game in an 18-13 loss to Saskatchewan two weeks ago, Masoli tied a CFL record by throwing for over 300 yards for the ninth-consecutive game, connecting with what seemed like all his receivers as well as challenging Duron Carter and company in the secondary.
Two weeks since the last game has given Hamilton extra time to game plan and that time off has the potential to play a large role in the performance of the Tiger-Cats offence. The bye week also gave players with nagging injuries some extra time to heal up.
My prediction: Over
How many receptions will Brandon Banks record: over or under 8?
Through four games this season, Brandon Banks has continued to live up to his ‘Speedy B’ nickname.
Averaging seven receptions per game with 28 total receptions on the year, Banks has had the ball in his hands for 360 yards this season. Becoming just one of the many threats the Ticats have on the outside, Banks’ performance this season has ensured that teams continue to account for him each time he’s on the field. Last time against the Roughriders, Banks recorded seven receptions for 113 yards on the night.
My prediction: Over
How many rushing attempts will Hamilton record: over or under 15?
Recording 459 yards this season, Hamilton’s run game has been one of many reasons for their success.
The multi-talented backfield has given the Ticats many options to chose from when attacking the run game. Because of their success, the Tiger-Cats now find themselves just 0.5 yards behind the league-leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers for first in average rush gain with 6.2 yards per rush.
The Roughriders have one of the most versatile defences lines in the CFL. Having the ability to change up looks every play, Chris Jones has turned his defence into one of the top producers in the league this season. Giving up an average of 74 yards per game on the ground, the Riders may not expect teams to attack them there.
My prediction: Over
How many punt return yards will the Tiger-Cats record: over or under 50?
Hamilton held the Roughriders to 275 yards of net offence last game. On eight punt returns, Hamilton was able to run them back 47 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per attempt. Capitalizing on the chances Hamilton gets this week could factor into another big week for the offence.
My prediction: Over
How many tackles will Julian Howsare record?
Coming off a career high four tackles against the Riders two weeks ago, defensive end Julian Howsare got the nod to start in place of the injured Adrian Tracy. Howsare made an immediate impact with four defensive tackles in the game.
The 6-3, 255-pound Altoona, Pa. native was solid against the Riders offensive line two weeks ago and if placed in the same opportunity this week, Howsare has the chance to do it all again.
My prediction: Over