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Montreal Alouettes quarterback Tanner Marsh is sacked by Toronto Argonauts' Matt Black during first half CFL action in Toronto on Tuesday September 3, 2013.FRANK GUNN/The Canadian Press

B.C. Lions (6-3)

at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-5)

Saturday, 4 p.m. (EDT)

Was it a case, last weekend, of a big cat toying with a scrappy-yet-doomed opponent? Or, in fact, a Lions squad that is not quite as good as they think they are against a Ticats outfit that is better than many observers believe? Hamilton stayed in it all night last Friday in Vancouver, even as the Ticats failed to notch a first down until almost one-third of the game was completed and gained just 10 yards on the ground through three quarters.

The Lions botched several opportunities to easily outdistance the visitors. Still, the Ticats have only booked wins this year against the weakest prey and the Lions, even playing erratic, have significant talent on both sides of the ball.

The pick: B.C.

Toronto Argonauts (5-4)

at Montreal Alouettes (4-5)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. (EDT)

Wasn't it just a couple of weeks ago the Argos had a comfortable lead atop the East Division? No more. The Argos were manhandled on their own turf by the Als last week, losing their second game in a row. Future Hall of Famer quarterbacks Ricky Ray and Anthony Calvillo are injured, so it looks like another battle of the backups between Tanner Marsh, third on the Montreal depth chart three weeks ago, and Zach Collaros. This one should come down to defence, and while Argos defensive mastermind Chris Jones is a clever fellow, the Als demonstrated last week they are a far superior unit. An Als win would see them erase a 2-5 start and grab first place in the East. They'll be up for this one.

The pick: Montreal

Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-1)

at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-8)

Sunday, 4 p.m. (EDT)

The Riders are indeed, at the halfway mark of the season, the class of the CFL, scoring the most points, ceding the fewest, underpinned by deadly accurate quarterback Darian Durant and the potential-record-smashing fleet feet of Kory Sheets. So, obviously, it is completely ridiculous to suggest the Bombers are set to upend the team that's looking to go wire-to-wire this year. Yet, last week, Winnipeg was ahead at the half in Regina, and Justin Goltz didn't look half-bad as the Bombers pivot. People may have critiqued his very modest touchdown celebration, but this weekend in the Banjo Bowl, Goltz may well unknot a seven-game losing skid for the team's first win at home this year.

The pick: Winnipeg

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