CFL Syndicate 2025

[Hulu]

My 2025 Offensive Line ranking. Because it all begins in the trenches.

1. Toronto - Lost a couple of starters but it doesn't matter. They have drafted exceptionally well for their line and are stacked for years to come. They just signed 2 former high draft picks who bounced around the NFL for a while. Just an embarrassment of riches. Wouldn't surprise me to see them trade a body or two for some defensive help.
2. Montreal - Lost long time guard Kristian Matte to retirement but have plenty of depth to fill that hole. They should look every bit as good as last year.
3. Hamilton - Already a good like lost Joel Figeuroa who wasn't a huge factor LY but brings in Liam Dobson from WInnipeg. This is a solid line that should allow BLM to pick apart defences with his all-star receiving corps.
4. Winnipeg - Aging but still solids. Lost promising guard Liam Dobson but they have a solid core of starters. Depth is questionable.
5. Saskatchewan - Would've been higher but they lost 2 nat guys in camp, one for the season. So they have some holes to fill but I think this will be a solid group. Not a lot of depth behind the starting 5 though.
6. Edmonton - Started looking improved in the latter half of last season. They added promising young guard Gregor McKellar from Toronto and C David Beard from Hamilton. T Martez Ivey could be one of the best tackles in the league.
7. Ottawa - Improving but still somewhat below average. They have a decent starting 5 but no depth unless they find a diamond in the rough
8. BC Lions - This line could end up being much better that 7th if they come together. They added Dejon Allen (TOR) and are hoping LYs 1st round draft pick George Una is ready to live up to his potential. If this works out, they coule be an above average unit although depth is an issue.
9. Calgary - This doesn't look like a really bad group but someone had to come last. They return a decent core of young guys but lost promising centre Sean McEwen.

5 years ago Calgary's OL would have been mid-pack. There really aren't any really bad looking lines like there were over the past 10-15 years. Another reason I think we see scoring up again this year.

 

[Hulu]

Among the rule changes this season are a couple that will help scoring...

REMOVAL OF RESTRICTED MAJOR PENALTIES

The restriction when applying the maximum distance on all major penalties, misconducts and rough play disqualifications will be removed.
The total distance of the penalty yardage will be applied, to a maximum of the one-yard line.

So basically any major penalty inside the 30 won't be half the distance to goal anymore, it will be the full yardage all the way to the 1. A major penalty anywhere inside the 16 would be an automatic first and goal at the 1. This can only help scoring.

LOW HITS ON VULNERABLE RECEIVERS

A penalty has been created to deter low hits on receivers who are not in a position to adequately protect themselves. A 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down will be called when a blow is delivered at or below the knees of a receiver who is in the act of catching a pass, while in a vulnerable position. Should the receiver jump, they will lose low hit protection.

Another year, another new defensive penalty.

 

[spottie2935]

Among the rule changes this season are a couple that will help scoring...



So basically any major penalty inside the 30 won't be half the distance to goal anymore, it will be the full yardage all the way to the 1. A major penalty anywhere inside the 16 would be an automatic first and goal at the 1. This can only help scoring.



Another year, another new defensive penalty.

They really have to manipulate the rules to create more scoring. They can’t have these low totals do they step in and make changes.

 

[Hulu]

If the current numbers hold until more books open I will have 2 bets in week 1.

One of them I am salivating over. I'll be hitting it hard if I can.

 

[Hulu]

We have lines!!

1* Saskatchewan ML -135
The number on this game is -2.5 and my numbers say -4.5 which pretty much makes it an auto bet when I am on the opposite side of the 3. Sask is the better team here and comes into the game with a lot of continuity from LY with a few key additions. They have a healthy QB and full compliment of receivers for the first time in a while too and they have the speed to give Ottawa's defence trouble. On Ottawa's side, this is a tough spot to be in. Its never easy to travel on a short week and this one comes off preseason and all the cuts on Saturday. That doesn't leave a lot of prep time before the team has to fly out west with a lot of new pieces to put together. Not to mention they start off the week with a number of OL and a key DB on the injury report. Time will tell if those are serious or just preseason nicks but I think this spot is primed for a sask win. Gimme the green riders.

1.5* EDM / BC over 48.5 -110
I've been saying I think Rourke will look closer to his 2022 magical self than the confused lad we saw last year. That was reinforced in the preseason where he only played 2.5 drives but went 9/9 and looked really poised doing it. He made his reads quickly, looked like he knew where his receivers should be and stepped into his throws with confidence. He took what the defence gave, checking down when necessary but also not being afraid to hit the long dig route when it was there. I liked what I saw. I think he comes into this season with a chip on his shoulder and ready to come out firing. The QB controversy that surrounded his return LY is gone and this team knows who their leader is. 50,000 tix sold thanks to a snoop dog show before the game and the house should be rockin. On the Edmonton side, this team has some real potential and their defence will be good but needs a few games to come together. From what I saw of Tre Ford in preseason, I think the Elks can compete here, and should be good for 23+ points against a middling BC defence. I made this total 52.5 and that might even be a bit conservative because its week 1. If all unfolds like I am expecting, I think we will look back in a few weeks and laugh that a BC total was ever under 50.

Best of luck to all!

 

[Teapot9]

Thanks Hulu really enjoyed reading this during my morning sesh

 

[Hulu]

Thanks Hulu really enjoyed reading this during my morning sesh

Makes sense. I wrote it during mine.

 

[Hulu]

Money coming in on Ottawa.

Maybe I'm out on a limb here but I seem to be lower on the redblacks than the rest of the market/public. I think they are decent but I have to see a functional secondary before I'll have them rated as anything above the average.

 

[Hulu]

I’m gonna parlay Sask with BC too. Don’t see either of these losing.

1* Parlay Sask / BC +147