The CFL 2012 regular season kicked-off last week as the march towards this year’s Grey Cup is officially underway. 

The following is a betting preview and prediction for Friday night’s games of Week 2 along with a full set of betting lines as provided by top sportsbooks.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Montreal Alouettes

      

Winnipeg did not fare any better in a rematch of last season’s Grey Cup with a 33-16 opening-day loss to British Columbia as an eight-point road underdog. The total stayed UNDER the 50.5 point line. The one bright spot for the Blue Bombers was the play of defensive tackle Bryant Turner, who recorded three sacks in that game. Quarterback Buck Pierce left last week’s game with a knee injury but is listed as probable for this Friday night.

Montreal found itself of the losing end of a 38-10 decision against Calgary in its season opener as a 2.5-point road underdog. The total stayed UNDER the 55-point line. Alouettes trailed 18-0 after the first quarter and quarterback Anthony Calvillo finished the game with just 174 yards passing while completing only 51.6 percent of his attempts.

The Blue Bombers are 0-3-1 against the spread in their last four road games and the total has stayed UNDER in five of the last six games in July. Montreal is 0-7 ATS in its last seven games as a favorite. The total has stayed UNDER in six of its last eight home games. Head-to-head, Winnipeg is 2-3 straight-up in the last five meetings but a perfect 5-0 ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in three of the last four games. Look for Montreal to get the win at home but take the Blue Bombers to cover with the 6.5 points.

Prediction: Montreal 28 - Winnipeg 24

 

Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. British Columbia Lions         

Hamilton will look to avoid a 0-2 start against the defending champs after getting blown-out by Saskatchewan 43-16 as a seven-point favorite in its home opener. The total went well OVER the 52-point line. Henry Burris completed 71.8 percent of his passes for 284 yards in his debut as the Tiger-Cats new starting quarterback, but Hamilton’s defense had no answer for the Roughriders surprisingly potent offense.

BC has to be pleased with its opening-day effort as a strong 17-point effort in the fourth quarter helped seal the win over the Blue Bombers. Quarterback Travis Lulay did not look especially sharp with one touchdown pass and one interception, but made the throws when he had to. The Lions’ rushing game was led by Andrew Harris’s 47 yards on eight carries. They have to be more pleased with a defensive effort that held Winnipeg to just a field goal in the first half.

The Tiger-Cats are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a SU loss and 17-8 ATS in their last 25 games following an ATS loss. The total has stayed UNDER in seven of their last nine games. BC is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games following a SU win and the total has stayed UNDER in 12 of its last 16 games. Hamilton is 5-1 ATS in its last six trips to BC and holds a 5-2 SU edge in the last seven meetings. Look for the Tiger-Cats to keep this game close well into the fourth quarter, but the Lions prove to be just too much to handle at home.

Prediction: British Columbia 31 - Hamilton 21