The Betting Perspective - OTT @ TOR

Ottawa @ Toronto (-9): TOTAL 46.5

The Canadian Football League starts another slate of action a little earlier than usual for the second straight week, as the Toronto Argonauts host the Ottawa Redblacks at BMO Field Wednesday night.

The Argos have a jam-packed schedule, the boatmen will technically play two games in Week 10, Wednesday and Monday versus Hamilton.

For the Redblacks, finally there is a gimmer of hope in quarterback Caleb Evans after he impressed in the win over Edmonton last week. Ottawa's only two victories in 2021 have come against the Elks, but the club is anything but dead in the water. A win Wednesday and the Redblacks jump right back into the East Division playoff picture, but it will be a very tough task against an Argos team that haven't lost at home this season. Caleb Evans not only threw three touchdown passes versus the Elks in Week 9, but brought a rushing punch from the quarterback position that Ottawa has lacked this season. Defensively, the Redblacks still gave up 450 yards of total offense and rank dead last in rushing defense, allowing over 110 yards against per game.

The Argos are coming off a bye week following a 30-27 win against Montreal in Toronto on September 24th, the boatmen sit at 4-3 and first place in the East Division. McLeod Bethel-Thompson will start for the second game in a row following an injury to starter Nick Arbuckle. Bethel-Thompson threw for 210 yards and a pair of scores against the Alouettes and is 2-1 in his three starts this season. Toronto's defensive approach is still under construction after the hiring of four-time Grey Cup Champion and 2018 CFL Coach of the Year Chris Jones as a defensive consultant just a couple of weeks ago.

As for the betting line in this matchup, the Argos currently sit as -9 favorites, essentially unchanged from the original opening number. The Redblacks have lost five games in a row against the spread versus a team with a winning record. On the other hand, the Argos are 4-1 ATS against Ottawa in their last five head-to-head matchups.

The play in this one might be the toughest choice so far in 2021, the -9 spread with the Argos might be too many points. And the unknown factor of Caleb Evans repeating a solid debut might sway one off from riding with the road team.

With nothing sticking out in terms of the total, let's put forth a small play with the Redblacks. Caleb Evans brings a dual threat ability that has caused the Argos some problems this season, including Vernon Adams Jr. just last week.

If Evans can make the easy, smart throws and not turnover the ball. Redblacks should keep this game within nine points.

Pick: Ottawa +9