Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Zach is back, but that’s just one reason Saturday night’s cross-division meeting between the Lions and Ticats is the Week 8 CFL Pick ‘Em Marquee Matchup.
Yes, it all starts with No. 4 in black and gold, Zach Collaros, who the Tabbies announced this week will make his first start in nearly 11 months after suffering a season-ending ACL tear last September. But aside from a long-awaited return by one of the league’s top quarterbacks, the final game of Week 8 has so much going for it.
Take, for example, the clash between two of the league’s top defences. The Ticats and Lions rank first and second respectively in a number of defensive categories, including the most important in yards allowed per game — and through seven weeks of the season it isn’t particularly close.
It’s always fun watching players like Adam Bighill and Solomon Elimimian (BC) along with Simoni Lawrence and Ted Laurent take the field under any circumstances, but to have them and their dominating defensive units in the same game?
Keep an eye on how both defences react against difficult opponents, as the Lions will look to make Collaros’ 2016 debut a miserable one while the Ticats key in on one of the hottest pivots in the league in Jonathon Jennings.
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The Ticats, 1-0 at the time, were the heavy favourite when these teams met early in the season at Tim Hortons Field, but the Lions made a resounding early-season statement with a 28-3 win back in Week 2.
Things have changed since then though, namely for the Ticats who now have their franchise pivot back in the lineup. The Ticats have been a much better team the last two years when Collaros plays vs. when he doesn’t, and last year the 27-year-old was leading the MOP talk before being injured.
Still, while Collaros represents hope in the Hammer, 70 per cent of fans believe Collaros may show some rust and the Lions will sweep the two-game regular season set with their cross-division feline foe.
CFL.CA WRITER PICKS
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| Nye (4-1-1) | Morris (3-2-1) | Dunk (3-2-1) |
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| Pedersen (3-2-1) | Landry (5-0-1) | Cauz (3-2-1) | Steinberg (3-2-1) |
No picks
While 70 per cent of fans are rolling with the hometown Lions, the writers are even more convinced after picking a clean sweep.
In what appears to be a much closer matchup on paper, can the Ticats pull off a shocking Week 8 upset and notch ‘L’s across the board?
Keep an eye on the pick trend and if you haven’t already, log in and make your pick! Kickoff arrives Saturday night at 10 p.m. ET.
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