Ron Raymond's Sports Betting Blog

CFL Football Forecast Preview Odds

The Las Vegas and Offshore Sportsbooks have released their CFL Regular Season over/under season wins total and CFL Football Handicapper Ron Raymond gives you his thoughts and predictions on some of the CFL teams who should disappoint and improve over last season.

2009 CFL Regular Season Wins Forecast

Calgary Stampeders regular season wins

• Over 12½ season wins -125
• Under 12½ seasons wins -105

*Note: The Stampeders went 13-5 SU last season and went on to win the Grey Cup over a good and well prepared Montreal Alouettes team. The Bookmakers have made them a favorite to win the CFL Western division and that’s what happens when you’re the defending champion, you will get tons of value from a betting perspective. The CFL Western division will be again, the strongest division in the CFL and for the Stampeders to reach 12 wins this season, will be a very tough task. Now, the Edmonton Eskimos have gotten better and the Lions have great coaching and quality veteran QB’s in Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson. Looking at the Stampeders last 4 games of the year, they have the Roughriders twice, the Lions and the Eskimos. Tough task in my view; therefore, considering playing the UNDER 12.5 season wins.

Edmonton Eskimos regular season wins

• Over 12½ season wins +115
• Under 12½ season wins -145

*Note: The Eskimos have turned some heads in the pre-season; they went 2-0 and dominated in both pre-season wins. Now, exhibition football is exactly that, it’s an opportunity for coaches to see who they have and play their back ups. Considering they blew away two good football teams in BC and Saskatchewan in Pre season, tells me they have some great back ups. In my view, the road for teams representing the CFL Western conference in the Grey Cup will have to defeat either the Stampeders or Eskimos in their house! Only one football team had more then 12.5 wins last year and that was the Grey Cup Champions Calgary Stampeders. The league is getting more and more balanced and parity will play a huge role in teams season wins. To be honest, I’m a believer in Ricky Ray and I love what he brings each week, but to get more then 12.5 wins, could be a tough task for new head coach Richie Hall. Plus, if QB Ricky Ray should get injured, (knock on wood) there’s a big drop off with Jason Maas. The UNDER 12.5 is my recommendation.

Montreal Alouettes regular season wins

• Over 12½ season wins +110
• Under 12½ season wins -140

*Note: Marc Trestman has really been impressive as a CFL Football head coach and is the master of paying attention to minor details. In fact, the whole Alouettes management team has done a great job of fielding a competitive team each and every season. Anthony Calvillo is one of the best QB’s in the league and he plays in a very weak CFL East division. When you look at the QB’s in the Eastern division, you have Joseph (Toronto), Glenn (Hamilton) and Lefors (Winnipeg). LeFors looks to be the starting QB in Winnipeg, but he’s still learning the ropes to the CFL game, while Joseph is on the decline since winning the Grey Cup with the Roughriders a few years ago, while Glenn is looking to re-emerge as a quality QB in Hamilton. The Alouettes have so many weapons on offense; they could hurt you in many ways. Play the OVER 12.5 +110 regular seasons wins, my only concern is their road games, but the fact they play their last 4 games vs. Eastern division teams, makes this selection more assuring.

British Columbia Lions regular season wins

• Over 10½ season wins -105
• Under 10½ season wins -125

*Note: Very interesting O/U season total wins line on the Lions, considering the last time they had 10 wins or less was in 2002. Wally Buono is an excellent coach and has a nice one-two punch at QB with Pierce and Jackson. The RB position is still the question mark for the upcoming season, but I would be playing this total 10.5 over.

Saskatchewan Roughriders regular season wins

• Over 8½ season wins -115
• Under 8½ season wins -115

*Note: If I’m a Saskatchewan Roughriders fan, I’m entering this season with a pessimistic mind, considering Darian Durant and Steven Jyles are your one two punch at QB this season. The Roughriders have always been known to have decent running backs and I don’t see a name standing out just yet after their 2 pre season loses. As usual, the defense will be asked to carry this team until the offense can get rolling, but I’m afraid this could be a long season for the Green and white. UNDER 8.5.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers regular season wins

• Over 7½ season wins +100
• Under 7½ season wins -130

*Note: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are entering the 2009 season with some “green” QB’s, as former Louisville standout Stephan LeFors and Virginia Tech baller Bryan Randall will be asked to lead the charge. I can see Randall excelling at the QB position, because he seems to have the wheels needed to be an excellent QB in the CFL. If you look at the past great QB’s of the CFL, I’m talking about guys like Tracy Ham, Damon Allen, Matt Dunnigan, they were able to tuck the football and run for those first downs in second and long situations. If there’s a surprise team this year, I’m going to side with new head coach Mike Kelly and say the Blue Bombers will win 8 to 9 games this year.

Toronto Argonauts regular season wins

• Over 6½ season wins -115
• Under 6½ season wins -115

*Note: Bart Andrus left the Tennessee Titans to join the Toronto Argonauts who are looking for some guidance of getting back on track, and find their winning form of seasons past. The Argos and Alouettes have dominated the CFL Eastern division for years, but the owner ship was not happy with the horrible 2008 season and is looking for Andrus to perform a resurrection. The Argos made some changes on defense and it’s going to be a wait and see approach the first 4 weeks of the season, to see exactly which road the boatmen will travel this season. I’m a huge Kerry Joseph fan, as long as he’s running the ball, but if the offensive coordinator doesn’t put him in a system that doesn’t allow him to tuck and run, it could be a long road for the Argos. However, Joseph is getting up there in age, so I’m wondering if he still has those wheels. Cody Pickett has looked ok in pre season, but it looks like Joseph will start the season, but with a short leash. The Bookmakers have placed an O/U season wins at 6.5 for Toronto and I believe they can reach 7 to 8 wins this year. Play the OVER.

Hamilton Tiger Cats regular season wins

• Over 5½ season wins -130
• Under 5½ season wins +100

*Note: When it rain, it pours and as much as I love to see a Canadian head coach get his shot, I think Marcel Bellefeuille is not the answer in Hamilton. In fact, I don’t like the fact; they went 0-2 in pre season and were never really in those games. Furthermore, what makes me more concern, Bellefeuille has not named his starter for the season opener next week and that’s never a good sign when players don’t know who the guy is! I’ve always respected the Tiger Cats defense the last few years, but I felt they’ve let go of some quality players who flourished on other teams, but I think you’re looking at another 3 to 4 season win season in Steel town. Play UNDER 5.5.

About Ron Raymond

Ron Raymond is one of the sports handicapping industries leading CFL Football handicapping experts and is the owner and founder of ATSDatabase.com, which is the top CFL football stats site for point spread betting. If you’re interested in receiving Ron Raymond’s CFL picks each and every week, you can get his Week 1 picks, right up until the Grey Cup for only $99.99!

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