Oddsmakers with most of the online sportsbook sites had both the Lions and Argos as favorites. Even though the Lions were 1-6 going against a 5-2 Eskimos squad, the Esks were missing all four of their starting receivers, had to start two new offensive tackles, and had a rookie cornerback on the defensive side of the ball. As expected, the Lions feasted on all the confusion on offense for the Eskimos, sacking the QBs eight times, intercepting the ball four more times, and holding back Edmonton from gaining access to the Red Zone until late in the third quarter.

In Toronto, the Argos jumped all over another 1-6 team, as they led 21-1 late in the 3rd quarter of play, before withstanding a late surge by the Roughriders. With the loss, the Riders’ management had seen enough and fired both Head Coach Greg Marshall, and his offensive coordinator Doug Berry, and reinstated team president Ken Miller, who had been the teams’ head coach the past three years and had led them to back to back Grey Cup berths.

Handicappers will have a field day trying to pick winners in both teams next games, which won’t be for another two weeks with the bye week coming this weekend.

First off has to be the play of the Edmonton Eskimos, who were absolutely putrid last year, finishing dead last in the league. so much so that they cleaned house and jettisoned their GM and coaching staff. New head coach Kavis Reed has brough a hightened sense of calm and execution. So much so that the Eskimos are the league’s lone undefeated team after their big win over provincial rivals Calgary last weekend.

The Montreal Aloutettes, the two-time defending champs, suffered their first defeat of the season at home to the then winless Saskatchewan Roughriders. But even more important, they lost starting quarterback Anthony Calvillo to injury. The extent of the injury has still not been fully disclosed, though it’s believed to be an eye injury.

The Calgary Stampeders have struggled slightly, dropping their first and fourth games. But they will be in the hunt when the snow begins to fly. Hamilton have come on with win in their last two games, including one over the moribund BC Lions, who have gone winless this season in four games and don’t look like they will be playing in the 2011 Grey Cup, even though their city is hosting it. Winnipeg Blue Bombers have played well, while the Toronto Argonauts have struggled as well and look to challenge the BC Lions as the worst team in the league to date.

Odds to Win the 2011 Grey Cup in Vancouver, BC.

Montreal Alouettes – 7/4
Edmonton Eskimos – 7/2
Calgary Stampeders – 4/1
Hamilton Tiger-Cats – 15/2
Winnipeg Blue Bombers – 8/1
BC Lions – 9/1
Saskatchewan Roughriders – 10/1
Toronto Argonauts – 20/1

Taking precautions with marquee guys and injured players they don’t want to get injured before the start of the season, coaches are sitting them out.

Head coach Kavis Reed said of the non-import receiver, who is nursing a groin injury, “The guys that are a little nicked up, like Chris Bauman, won’t play, any guy that has any kind of injury that we feel could benefit from the time off.”

“Some will travel but will not play. Fred Stamps won’t play, and others that we decide after meeting.”

The Eskimos are using Game 1 of the preseason to audition for starting positions and roster spots instead of bringing out their top guys.

Reed went on to say “Besides Ricky Ray, everyone’s auditioning for a job. Beyond that, we’re looking for those guys to fly around and execute a very simplified game plan.”

Toronto is at +850 to win the Grey Cup in CFL Futures betting Odds.

Cheatham, who played just one game last season with the Calgary Stampeders, has played NCAA Football with the Kansas State Wildcats and Independence Junior College. A starter as a senior, he dressed in 34 career games for the Wildcats in three seasons after arriving at Kansas State from Independence where he was named First-Team All-Conference and team M.V.P.

Walls caught for more than 1,000 career yards as a member of the North Carolina A&T Aggies, and was named All-Conference and invited to play in the college all-star game in California as a senior.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Eskimos are hoping Brandon James will be a difference-maker in the CFL.

The Eskimos signed James, a former NCAA star, as a kick returner. James, who played three games with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts last season, set records during his collegiate career with the Florida Gators. At Florida, James helped the Gators win a national title in 2007 and was twice named an All-SEC player.

“In a highly competitive league like ours, special teams are often the difference in winning closing games,” said Eskimos GM Eric Tillman.

Edmonton is at +650 to win the Grey Cup in CFL Futures.

The Tiger-Cats enter this game with a record of 9-8 and sole possession of second place in the East division. The BC Lions enter this game with a record of 7-10 and the possibility of ending their season with the second worst record in the CFL.

The Tiger-Cats are led by the quarterback Kevin Glenn who has 4,813 yards passing to go with his 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Glenn has been the one steady leader on the Tiger-Cats that has led his team into the CFL Playoffs. Glenn is also a partial reason why Hamilton is entering this year’s playoffs as a huge underdog.

The BC Lions have fallen on hard times this season and they will try to end their season on a high note even though they will still finish with a losing record. The BC Lions have won two of their last three games and have an outside chance to make the CFL Playoffs with a win and a Saskatchewan Rough Riders win over the Edmonton Eskimos. Travis Lulay continued his improved play and he could be the factor that puts the BC Lions over the top and potentially in the CFL Playoffs.

Ricky Ray continues to hold his job as starting quarterback for the struggling Edmonton Eskimos despite only getting the ball in the end zone nine times as opposed to his 14 interceptions for the 2010 CFL season. Ray is not known for his legs but he does have 130 yards rushing to go with his 3,100 plus yards of passing.

The only record worse than the BC Lions 2-5 home record is the Edmonton Eskimos 1-6 road record. Someone has to win this game so it may as well be the home team BC Lions. The unsettled quarterback situation for the BC Lions has calmed down for now with Travis Lulay taking up the responsibilities under center over Casey Printers. Lulay has thrown for 1,433 yards to this point of the season which includes a 98 yard score.

The Edmonton Eskimos and BC Lions have met three times in the 2010 CFL season with the Edmonton Eskimos scoring two of their four wins over the BC Lions. Edmonton is 1-0 on the BC Lions field and they are 1-1 on their own home field. This game on Saturday is more about which team will have the better draft position in the CFL Draft.

The battle of the quarterbacks in this game is very one sided. The home team Eskimos quarterback, Ricky Ray has been embattled all season long and his seven touchdowns versus his 13 interceptions is not a statistic that will help Ray’s cause. Ray has thrown for a total of 2600 yards and rushed for 127 yards.

Kevin Glenn, the quarterback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, has thrown for 3507 yards to go with his 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Glenn has shown he is capable of taking over a game but he needs to finish games to be considered an elite quarterback. Glenn is in a must win situation with the Tiger-Cats. A win will give the team a chance for sole possession of second place in the CFL East. The first place team is the Montreal Alouettes who have already clinched their playoff berth.

DeAndra’ Cobb, the lead running back for the Tiger-Cats, has allowed Glenn to rack up his numbers by running effectively enough to set up the play action pass. Cobb has 830 yards heading into this game and could be a major factor if Hamilton is to beat the Edmonton Eskimos.

The Calgary Stampeders are running over the rest of the CFL this season and are 7-1. This includes a 56-15 drubbing of the Edmonton Eskimos just two games ago. Calgary is led by their star quarterback, Henry Burris. Burris has already compiled 2,226 yards passing and scored 18 touchdowns for the Stampeders. Although Burris is not known for getting down the field rushing, he does have 247 yards on 38 carries. This presents just enough of a threat to keep the defenders honest.

On the other sideline, quarterback Ricky Ray has been under fire all season. Ray produced a win in his last outing and the Edmonton coaches are hoping this will get him on the right track. Ray’s inconsistency has been a major reason for Edmonton’s struggles in the 2010 CFL season.

The Calgary Stampeders Juwan Simpson is their unquestioned leader on defense. Simpson leads the team in tackles with 29, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Simpson and the Calgary defense have kept pace with their high powered offense all season long. Judging by the game played by these two teams on August 15th, this should be an easy defense of the home turf by Calgary.

The Calgary Stampeders showed off all areas of their offense in their impressive win. From a pounding running game led by Joffrey Reynolds, to an aerial assault spearheaded by Henry Burris. The Stampeders left no aspect of their offense out of the mix. Burris threw for 305 yards in the winning effort.

The BC Lions were fodder for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, losing 37-13 in a dismal effort. The BC Lions Jarius Jackson was kept in check with 194 yards passing and six yards rushing. The running game was the only effective arm of the offense, as Robertson and Davis both rushed for 84 yards with only Davis finding the end zone.

As Calgary heads into this game, they are riding a four game winning streak and are also coming off a bye week. Calgary is 6-1 this season, with their only loss coming at the hands of CFL stalwart, Toronto. The last game the two teams played, three weeks ago in BC, was a close game won by Calgary 27-22.

The BC Lions enter this game with the confidence of holding their own against Calgary three weeks ago but they have not been in the win column for the last games. This could get ugly fast if the BC Lions can’t contain Burris early.

Between these two, the second game will come down to a matchup of quarterbacks. Football betting star, Ricky Ray is an eight-year veteran of the CFL and in eight years, he has thrown for over 5,000 yards three times, while for the BC Lions, and Travis Gulay is the up and coming quarterback.

Even though Travis Gulay has provided some spark for the BC Lions, it is not much of threat to run. Despite Gulay’s inability to bolt from the pocket, in the CFL, he is expected to develop into a premier quarterback. The BC Lions coaching staff is behind Gulay, although this year, he has had his difficulties finding the end zone.

Ricky Ray of the Edmonton Eskimos has racked up 1,090 yards in his first four games, although his season had a rough start. The 0-4 start has fallen squarely on Ray’s shoulders and in finding the end zone this season; he had a tough time.

In the first half of the season, this may be Edmonton’s best chance to win a game. To pull off a home victory, Ricky Ray and his Edmonton teammates should have the motivation, after the 25-10 loss to the BC Lions in the first game.