The Betting Perspective - TOR @ HAM

Toronto @ Hamilton (-2.5): TOTAL 44

The last CFL fanbase this season celebrates the return of football to their city Monday as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Toronto Argonauts

Toronto saw their Week 4 matchup against the Elks postponed to a later date due a surge of positive Covid-19 cases in Edmonton's locker room. The last time the Argos took the field was August 21st at home against the Bombers and Toronto looked impressive, fighting out a 30-23 victory at BMO Field. Nick Arbuckle looks to be the starting quarterback moving forward for Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie's team after two starts by now backup McLeod Bethel-Thompson to start the season. Arbuckle torched the Bombers defense in his only start, he threw for 310 yards and a touchdown, in addition to a rushing score. Toronto's defense really put the clamps down on Zach Collaros and the Bombers offense in Week 3, Winnipeg failed to record a first down until the midway point in the second quarter.

For Hamilton, the issue of a suspect offensive line remains despite the Ticats first win of 2021 last week against the Alouettes. Quarterback Dane Evans was sacked six times in Montreal and Hamilton are now tied with Ottawa for the most sacks given up this season with 13. On the bright side for the Ticats, Head Coach Orlondo Steinauer and Defensive Coordinator Mark Washington finally have their starting secondary in place. The group of Tunde Adeleke, Cariel Brooks, Ciante Evans, Jumal Rolle and Frankie Williams looked spectacular as the front seven of the Ticats continue to get more healthy.

This matchup is as storied as any in the CFL, but Hamilton have had the recent upper hand in this meeting. The Argos have lost six games in a row against the Ticats and haven't won a Labour Day game since 2012. All the trends and the betting line should point to a Ticats play but let's skip the spread for this game.

The line we should be focused on is the total, it sits at 44, the lowest number in this matchup since 2008. Yes, Hamilton's offense is going through some hiccups but when the Over is 9-3 in the last 12 between the Argos and Ticats, play the total.

Especially when it's this low.

Pick: Over 44