Not only do the fans and coaches have to call the players on their play sometimes, and fans and players the coaches. That’s the fishbowl they choose to live in. We have had for many years the other group of people who live in the fishbowl. The Swami’s. The football “expert”, a writer or a former player usually, sometimes a monkey, who gets right out on the limb and makes predictions. For what real benefit other than getting the fans amped up, I don’t know.
Occasionally you find someone who can predict more wins than losses at a level that makes them worth following. And with that, I want to give a shout out to Mitch Zalnasky, of the CJOB radio broadcast team, (and former CFL and NFL player, I should say, who obviously kept his feet on the ground and his head in the game) as reported by the Winnipeg Free Press, see bottom of post, who I happened to notice is 47-25 in predictions, at the top of his group. That’s a nice 65% record in pretty wild year in the league. Mitch has got the Bombers. I’m in too. I’m off to check Chris Schultz’s record Has anyone topped Mitch around the league. Oooh, just saw Shutzie’s record. 54%.
The Winnipeg Free Press Online Edition
ED TAIT’S PLAYOFF PRIMEREAST SEMIFINAL
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (9-9) at TORONTO ARGONAUTS (10-8)
When: Sunday, noon TV: CBC/RDS Radio: CJOB
Totalodds.com line: The Argonauts are favoured by 3.5 points.
Streaks: Wpg.: 1L; Tor.: 2L
Last 10: Wpg.: 4-6; Tor.: 7-3
The storyline: An intriguing matchup featuring two clubs that, despite their recent woes, carry a lot of bravado into the postseason. The Bombers are two wins away from playing in a Grey Cup game in their own backyard but need both QB Kevin Glenn and DT Doug Brown on the field in order to compete. Interestingly, this will be the first time this season both teams will have their No. 1 guns in action: the Argos were without Damon Allen for losses to Winnipeg earlier this season while Toronto’s win here in August came with Mike Quinn at the Bomber controls.
Head to head: The Bombers won the season series 2-1 with a 16-9 victory on June 23rd, a 24-17 win on July 8 before losing 18-15 on Aug. 25.
Home field advantage/disadvantage: Winnipeg was 5-4 on the road this season; the Argos were 5-4 at home.
Ed Tait picks: Winnipeg: We like what we’ve seen over the last month or so and figure QB Kevin Glenn can tough out his ankle injury.
Randy Turner picks: Toronto: Too many question marks around Kevin Glenn’s health, and way too many question marks around his possible replacements.
Chris Cariou picks: Winnipeg: The Bombers will have Kevin Glenn, the Argos are struggling offensively and the Blue were one of the league’s top teams on the road.
Bob Irving picks: Winnipeg: The Bombers match up well against the Argos and Winnipeg’s secondary will play a killer game after being slighted in the all-star voting.
Mitch Zalnasky picks: Winnipeg: The team that wins the field position battle wins the game; Westwood out kicks Prefontaine, Winnipeg moves on to Montreal.
WEST SEMIFINAL
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (9-9) at CALGARY STAMPEDERS (10-8)
When: Sunday, 3 p.m. TV: CBC/RDS Radio: CJOB
Vegas line: The Stampeders are favoured by 7 points.
Streaks: Saskatchewan: 1L; Calgary: 1L.
Last 10: Sask.: 6-4; Cal.: 6-4.
The storyline: A juicy battle pitting two clubs who have teased over the past few years, but haven’t got it done in November. And the loser can expect a whole lot of finger pointing. Rider boss Danny Barrett, rumour has it, needs a long November run to keep his job while the Stamps — despite all their promise over the past two years — have under-achieved. Both teams can pound the ball effectively and feature mobile pivots, so this could come down to which defence handles that challenge best.
Head to head: Calgary won the season series 2-1, with a 53-36 victory on July 8 and a 23-7 decision on August 5th while the Riders won 19-9 back on July 29.
Home field advantage/disadvantage: Saskatchewan was 3-6 on the road; the Stamps an impressive 8-1 at McMahon Stadium.
Ed Tait picks: Calgary: They’re cocky, brash and loud… and they’re talented enough to knock off the Riders.
Randy Turner picks: Calgary: Sorry, Rider Nation, but the Stamps, although unpredictable, have more firepower on offence.
Chris Cariou picks: Calgary: A virtual saw-off, but Joffrey Reynolds and the absence of Gainer the Gopher give the Stamps the edge.
Bob Irving picks: Calgary: Stamps need a big game out of Henry Burris, and they’ll get it.
Mitch Zalnasky picks: Danny Barrett coaches his last game as a Rider; Gainer Gopher gets stomped by Reynolds and Burris.
Last week/year: Mitch Zalnasky: 2-1/47-25; Randy Turner: 1-2/44-28; Bob Irving: 1-2/41-31; Chris Cariou: 1-2/40-32; Ed Tait: 1-2/34-38.
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