The Betting Perspective - MTL @ CGY

Montreal (-3) @ Calgary: TOTAL 45.5

The Calgary Stampeders begin life without quarterback Bo-Levi Mitchell Friday night when they host the Montreal Alouettes. Mitchell was placed on the 6-game injured list earlier this week after fibula surgery.

The Stampeders are due to start UC-Davis alum Jake Maier at quarterback instead of Canadian Michael O'Connor, who was listed as Mitchell's backup for the first two weeks of the season. The decision sent some diehard Canadian football fans into a frenzy because they wanted to see O'Connor have a run as the starting quarterback. Regardless, the Stamps are in for a rough next couple of weeks until Maier can find his legs, but the team needs to find themselves as well after an 0-2 start.

As for the visiting Alouettes, the team is riding high after an impressive performance in Week 2 against the Elks on the road in Edmonton. Montreal quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 211 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Elks adding to the Alouettes production on the ground, running back William Stanback ran for 112 yards on 18 carries. The Alouettes won both head-to-head contests against the Stamps in 2019, including a 400-yard passing performance by Adams Jr. in an overtime victory.

As for the line, kudos to bettors that got in early on the Alouettes before the Bo-Levi Mitchell news changed everything. The line opened at Calgary -2, but quickly flipped to Montreal -1.5 after the Stampeders announced Mitchell was being placed on the injured list. Obviously, public money has heavily come in on the Alouettes and things may continue that way right up until kickoff. People should feel comfortable laying a field goal with the team not in turmoil heading into this matchup. This is the first time the Alouettes have been favored against Calgary since 2013, a span of 13 games. Montreal is also 10-1 against the spread in the last 11 meetings versus the Stampeders.

The Alouettes with the points are the play Friday night.

Pick: Montreal -3