The Betting Perspective - MTL @ TOR

Montreal @ Toronto (-2.5): TOTAL 48.5

The Toronto Argonauts host the Montreal Alouettes at BMO Field in the first part of a CFL doubleheader Friday night.

The Alouettes roll into Week 8 action looking for some form of positive consistency. The Als were defeated last time out against the Lions 27-18, Montreal accumulated over 450 yards of total offense but settled for six field goals. The Als have showed glimmers of hope this season, including an impressive Week 5 performance in Ottawa against the Redblacks, where Montreal posted a season-high 51 points. The Alouettes lead the CFL in rushing this season with 747 yards through just five games and running back William Stanback has galloped for over 100 yards in each of his last two outings. On the other side of the ball, the Als defense that started the year out well have shown some cracks, including giving up 616 passing yards in the last couple of contests.

For the Toronto Argonauts, this is their last date on the schedule before a brutal compact set of games begin in early October. The Argos will technically play two games in Week 10, one on October 6th at home versus the Redblacks, then another on October 11th on the road in Hamilton. The Argos will start veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson Friday, after starter Nick Arbuckle was placed on the one-game injured list. Bethel-Thompson hasn't thrown a pass since Labour Day in a loss against the Ticats, but has thrown for three touchdowns and no picks in 2021. On the defensive side of the ball, the Argos have given up the most passing touchdowns in the league with 10, but have shut the opposition's run game down in their two home games with just 90 rushing yards against.

A positive for Toronto to take into the game versus the Als, the Argos are 2-0 at home this season and are 4-1 against Montreal in the last five games at BMO Field.

Looking at the betting line, there hasn't been much movement despite Toronto's quarterback swap this week. The trends for the Argos look good, they're 6-1-1 against the spread following an ATS loss. And let's not run away because Bethel-Thompson is starting, he threw for 806 yards in two starts versus Montreal in 2019.

Argos are at home and should be the play.

Pick: Toronto -2.5