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The 2008 CFL Grey Cup

By CFL Handicapper Ron Raymond

November, 18^th 2008

The 96^th edition of the CFL Grey Cup will be hosted in Montreal, Quebec Canada and the betting line on the game is Montreal PK vs. Calgary (57.0).

The Montreal Alouettes (12-7) will represent the Eastern Division, while the Calgary Stampeders (14-5) will represent the Western Division. The Alouettes won 36-26 in the Eastern Division final last weekend, as they beat the Edmonton Eskimos who won against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Semi Finals the week prior.

In the Western Division finals, the Stampeders outlasted the BC Lions 22-18 as a -5.5 point Home Favorite and the Lions beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 33-12 at Mosaaic Stadium in the Western Semi Finals.

Both the Alouettes and Stampeders finished first in their division this season and CFL fans are getting a marquee final this Sunday, November 23^rd at 6; 00 pm EST at Olympic Stadium, home of the 1976 Olympics.

The Montreal Alouettes are led by former Utah State Aggies QB Anthony Calvillo who was also the starting QB of the now defunct CFL team Las Vegas Posse. Calvillo's favorite receiver is Ben Cahoon who went to BYU and is an 8 time all star receiver in the CFL. The Stamps are led QB Henri Burris who had a cup of coffee in the NFL with the Packers and Bears and played his college ball with Temple University and finished with 20 passing records at that university. It should be noted; Burris started his pro career in the CFL before attending the Bears in the NFL. As for the Stampeders running game, they have a work horse in Jofferey Reynolds at the tail back position and Burris has great receivers to choose from when he's glancing down the field.

The Stampeders are probably the better balanced team offensively and defensively, as the Stamps average 32.47 Points For per game, while averaging 23.05 Points Against per game. However, Montreal are no doubt, the most explosive team offensively in the CFL, as they've scored 30 or more points in 16 out of 19 games this season and it could have been 17 out of 19 games if they would have played their regulars in their season finale vs. Edmonton.

The Stamps enter this game with the momentum and it reflects in the opening numbers, as the Bookmakers have made this game a Pick'em and considering this is like a Home game for Montreal, makes it a head scratcher from a betting perspective.

Let's review; the Stampeders have won 5 in a row, 9 out of their last 10 games and they've covered 80% of their last 10 games. Here's an interesting number, had the bookmaker made the Alouettes a Grey Cup Favorite, the Stamps are 6-0 SU and ATS as an underdog this season, so monitor this line throughout the week. However, if the money starts coming in on Calgary and the Stamps start getting some Favorite love, the Als are 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS this season.

Montreal have not done well in the Grey Cup Final the last 8 years; as they've been involved in 5 Grey Cup games since 2000, but have only won the big game once, 34-22 vs. the Eskimos in Edmonton. The Stampeders on the other hand have made the big dance 3 times since 1996 and have won the Grey Cup two out of the three times. In fact, there only lost was in 1999 as a -5.5 point favorite vs. Hamilton, as the Tiger Cats won the game 32-21 in a game played at BC Place.

The Stampeders own the season series, as they've won both games vs. Montreal. In the first meeting on July 10^th (week #3), the Alouettes were a -4.5 point Home Favorite and the game finished 23-19 for the Stamps and the O/U on the game 55 and it clearly went UNDER the posted total. In the rematch, the Alouettes were a +3.0 point Road Underdog in Week #12 and fell 41-30 and the O/U on that game was set at 58.5.

The Alouettes are 6-4 (SU and ATS) in their last 10 overall head to head meetings with the Calgary Stampeders and the OVER is 7-3-0 in those 10 meetings.

Here's a GREY CUP pointspread and result history of the last 12 Grey Cups played.

Well, there you have it, another season is coming to an end and if you're interested in receiving my CFL Grey Cup pick on this game, you can get it in the members area this week, as I will be releasing a side and totals play on the Big game.

Enjoy the Grey Cup Folks!