The 2023 CFL season has reached Week 9, meaning that we’ve nearly arrived at the halfway point. The CFL Week 9 schedule is shaping up to be an exciting one and it all starts with a battle between Grey Cup contenders.
The new week of Canadian football action begins Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET with a clash between the BC Lions (6-1) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-2). The undefeated Toronto Argonauts (6-0) then travel out west to take on the Calgary Stampeders (2-5) on Friday at 9 p.m. ET.
The Week 9 fun continues Saturday when the Montreal Alouettes (3-3) pay a visit to the rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-4) at 7 p.m. ET. The week then comes to a close with Sunday’s 7 p.m. ET showdown between the Ottawa RedBlacks (3-4) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-4).
The winless Edmonton Elks (0-8) are the bye-week team this time around.
Here’s a look at BetOnline’s odds for the CFL Week 9 matchups, as well as a prediction and picks for each game.
Picks Record Ahead of Week 9: 7-7-1
CFL Week 9 Schedule & How to Watch
Thursday, August 3
BC Lions vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 8:30 p.m. ET on TSN, CFL+, CBSSN
Friday, August 4
Toronto Argonauts vs. Calgary Stampeders, 9 p.m. ET on CFL+, TSN
Saturday, August 5
Montreal Alouettes vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 7 p.m. ET on CFL+, TSN, CBSSN
Sunday, August 6
Ottawa RedBlacks vs. Saskatchewan Rough Riders, 7 p.m. ET on CFL+, TSN, CBSSN
CFL Week 9 Picks & Predictions
Lions vs Blue Bombers Odds & Picks
- Spread: BC Lions +5.5 (-110) | Winnipeg Blue Bombers -5.5 (-110)
- Total: OVER 45 (-107) | UNDER 45 (-113)
- Moneyline: BC Lions +205 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers -245
The Lions head into the CFL Week 9 schedule looking for their fourth win in a row. They’re coming off a huge 27-0 shutout win over the Elks as backup quarterback Dane Evans threw for 330 passing yards with a pair of touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Blue Bombers are also hot, having won three of their past four contests. They’re likely feeling well-rested after last week’s bye and will aim to capitalize on the momentum stemming from Week 7’s 28-14 win over Edmonton.
The Lions looked great last week, but that was against the CFL’s worst team. Evans won’t have an easy time throwing against a Blue Bombers defense that has racked up the third-most takeaways (12) and is tied for the most sacks (25) across the league.
With these teams also possessing two of the top three defenses this season, I don’t expect much offense in general, making the under the best bet.
Prediction: Blue Bombers 26, Lions 17
Best Bet: Under 45 Total Points (-113)
Argonauts vs Stampeders Odds & Picks
- Spread: Toronto Argonauts -9 (-110) | Calgary Stampeders +9 (-110)
- Total: OVER 51 (-110) | UNDER 51 (-110)
- Moneyline: Toronto Argonauts -425 | Calgary Stampeders +345
The Argonauts aren’t showing any signs of slowing down following a 31-13 victory against the Roughriders. Toronto showcased its versatility in the winning, scoring three touchdowns in the following ways:
- 71-yard punt return
- Two-yard pass
- 58-yard Pick-6
On the other side, the Stampeders hope to stop the bleeding after dropping to 1-4 in their last five games. Last week’s 25-18 loss to the Alouettes was extremely uninspiring considering that Calgary didn’t find the end zone once throughout the game.
It’s absolutely a no-brainer move to take the Argonauts to win. Not only are they the CFL’s best team, but they’re also averaging a league-leading 36.2 PPG. That’s about two touchdowns more per game than the Stampeders are scoring.
In other words, the Agros should win this by a decent margin.
Prediction: Argonauts 41, Stampeders 24
Best Bet: Argonauts -9 (-110)
Alouettes vs Tiger-Cats Odds & Picks
- Spread: Montreal Alouettes -3 (-104) | Hamilton Tiger-Cats +3 (-116)
- Total: OVER 45 (-110) | UNDER 45 (-110)
- Moneyline: Montreal Alouettes -155 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats -116
The Alouettes enter the CFL Week 9 slate with a pep in their step after ending a three-game losing streak over the week. Montreal scored a whopping seven field goals in its 25-18 win over the Stampeders while cornerback Kabion Ento scored a TD off a 53-yard interception.
After an 0-3 start to the 2023 campaign, the Tiger-Cats have turned things around. Hamilton won for the third time in its last four games with last week’s hard-fought 16–12 win over the RedBlacks that saw Ottawa held to just four field goals and 272 total yards.
The Alouettes already proved that they can win this matchup, having blown out the Ti-Cats 38-12 back in Week 3. Although a lot has changed since then, Hamilton is somewhat difficult to trust after recording just 31 total points in the last two weeks.
It’s going to be a close game between two hungry teams, but I’m taking the Alouettes to cover here.
Prediction: Alouettes 27, Tiger-Cats 23
Best Bet: Alouettes -3 (-104)
RedBlacks vs Roughriders Odds & Picks
- Spread: Ottawa RedBlacks -1.5 (-110) | Saskatchewan Roughriders +1.5 (-110)
- Total: OVER 44 (-110) | UNDER 44 (-110)
- Moneyline: Ottawa RedBlacks -125 | Saskatchewan Roughriders +105
The RedBlacks hope that their offense shows a little more life this week. After scoring 43 points on the Stampeders in Week 7, Bob Dyce’s team barely got any offense going at home in a 16-12 loss to the Tiger-Cats last Friday.
Standing in Ottawa’s way is the Roughriders, who’ve lost their last three games in a row. QB Trevor Harris’ absence continued being an issue last week as Saskatchewan was stomped 31-13 by the surging Argonauts.
Although both teams need the win, I’m taking the RedBlacks on the road. The Roughriders just can’t do much as long as Mason Fine is under center, highlighted by their being outscored 50-22 on aggregate over the last two games.
The RedBlacks are far from perfect, but they’re healthier and won the last time they were on the road. Back Ottawa to get back on track.
Prediction: RedBlacks 24, Roughriders 21
Best Bet: RedBlacks -1.5 (-110)
Grey Cup Odds 2023 as of CFL Week 9
Odds via BetOnline.
- Toronto Argonauts (+200) — +1
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+250) — -1
- BC Lions (+260)
- Montreal Alouettes (+1200) — +3
- Ottawa RedBlacks (+1400) — -1
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats (+1400)
- Calgary Stampeders (+2000) — -2
- Saskatchewan Roughriders (+2000)
- Edmonton Elks (+25000)