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Thursday 7 p.m. time; TV: TSN, Radio: 770 CHQR; Line: Calgary at 3.5 Weather: 22°C, wind 19 km/h, 0% precipitation.
FIVE THINGS TO SEE:
Matches between the Stampeders and the Alouettes tend to get pretty crazy. That’s generally been true whenever the Stamps have visited Montreal and somehow lost games to underpowered Alouettes teams over the past decade, but there have also been some wild encounters at McMahon Stadium in recent years. The Stamps won 28-22 last season in a game that the Alouettes had a chance to win in their last game, and the year before there was a pre-game fight and then a back-and-forth that the Als controversy I did not win.
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KEY COMPARISON: Stamps RB Ka’Deem Carey vs. Alouette’s RB William Stanback
Stanback led the CFL in rushing yards in 2021. Carey finished second and also had the second most rushing touchdowns. Calling them the top two running backs in the league is no exaggeration, and while quarterbacks will receive a lot of attention in Thursday’s game, the actual score can be determined on the spot. Make sure both teams try to get their man running early and often, then smack the ball to the floor when they can get an lead.
NOTES: The Stampeders were dealt a blow on Wednesday when they were forced to put Branden Dozier on the six-game injured list with a calf injury, meaning they’ll be rolling in the SAM position with rookie Titus Wall… Stanback was restricted in practice sometimes this week due to a reported ankle injury and there is no question that it could impact the game. He’s a game-changer, after all… The Stamps were forced to trade for a new player this week because of a groin injury to Cody Grace. They signed fellow Australian Jimmy Smith from the Saskatchewan Roughriders and he will make his debut Thursday night… The Stampeders have been 7-5-1 in the season opener since 2008 while the Alouettes are 7-6 at the same stretch… Thursday’s game marked the earliest start of a CFL season ever. The 2019 season previously had this award with a June 13 start date.
OUR OPINION: Stamps 24, Alouettes 21
I’m not at all sure of that prediction, but the Stampeders have a lot of continuity from last season and have been red hot in 2021. Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson has repeatedly said that this game will be won in the last three minutes