The Betting Perspective - CGY @ HAM

Calgary @ Hamilton (-1.5): TOTAL 43.5

Week 7 of the Canadian Football League kicks off Friday night in the Hammer as the Ticats welcome the Calgary Stampeders.

This matchup features two teams trending in opposite directions, the Stamps are 2-4 on the season but come into action riding high after a huge win in Edmonton last week. Calgary also welcomed quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to the lineup against the Elks. On the other hand, the Ticats are reeling after a close loss to the Argos last Friday, starting quarterback Dane Evans went down in the game with an injury and will now be out four to six weeks.

For Calgary, the Stamps' defense dominated against the Elks in Week 6, holding Edmonton's offense out of the endzone and sacking quarterback Trevor Harris seven times. Bo Levi Mitchell definitely had some rust he needed to shake off early in the game but once it was off, Mitchell looked to be in fine form. Clearly, Calgary have struggled early in the season despite having the most passing yards in the CFL, but if the Stamps can get weekly performances from their defense like their showing last Saturday, they'll be a tough out for the opposition every single week.

Hamilton will start David Watford at quarterback against the Stampeders, Watford almost willed the Ticats back against the Argos, but a missed extra point in the final minutes secured a Toronto 17-16 victory. Hamilton definitely have a glaring problem on the offensive line, the Ticats lead the CFL in sacks allowed with 20 this season. Normally, a team that struggles to protect would lean on their run game to alleviate some of the pass rush, but Hamilton are dead last in rushing attempts with just 72 in five games.

Stamps defensive lineman Stefen Banks recorded three sacks just last week and is likely due for another huge day against a suspect Hamilton line.

The betting movement for this Ticats, Stamps matchup has been substantial after it looked like Watford would start against Calgary. The line fell from Ticats -3.5 to -1.5 and it may even get down to a pick'em by kickoff, get in early if you're riding the road team in this game.

Stampeders have the better quarterback, they're trending in a better direction than Hamilton and they're currently sitting as underdogs.

It's a huge opportunity to ride Calgary against the spread and even on the moneyline at +110.

Pick: Calgary +1.5