When you have time... Talk to me about my Hamilton future I played months ago. Obviously I know the standings but defer to your thoughts first and foremost.
So as I said, I still love this bet. The major factor behind this handicap is that Hamilton came into the season as the overwhelming favourite to win the east and really had no competition. With home field advantage they should slide into the CG game with little resistance and I'll take +500 or above in a one game showdown against anyone, especially in the CFL where the Grey Cup is often competitive even when the teams are not so evenly matched.
Then Jeremiah Masoli went down with a knee injury and I thought it might be all over but after watching Dane Evans for a few games, I'm wondering if Masoli will even be back next year. Evans has kept this offence running like a top. They still have the best OL in the league who have stayed almost completely healthy to this point. Brandon Banks and Bralon Addison are the offensive keys to this team and as long as they stay healthy, this team can score. The running back situation is a mess but I've been really impressed with how HC Orlondo Steinauer and OC Tommy Condell have papered over that with some impressive scheming. Erlington and Maleek Irons both have a solid chance to return this season which will shore up the running game.
The defensive line took a hit when they lost DE Adrian Tracy to a torn bicep but they are still formidable with JaGared Davis, Ted Laurent and Dylan Wynn as well as a host of quality depth guys. The linebacking group is good although if there is a weak point on this defence, its Justin Tuggle at MLB. Simoni Lawrence is a top 3 WLB and Rico Murray is a stud at SAM. The secondary is good and deep and even without Delvin Breaux the past few games, haven't missed a beat.
In short, this team is still loaded and has incredible depth at every position. They have great ratio flexibility with tons of NAT depth too.
The only stumbling block en route to the cup would be Montreal but with 6 games left, the cats are 3 games up on them and its unlikely anyone catches them at this point. A crossover team from the west (likely Edmonton) could also be a problem but crossover teams rarely do anything. I would take Hamilton at home against anyone in the league except maybe Calgary. And if they win the east, they are one home game (with a bye to boot) away from the big game
So assuming they get to the cup rather easily (and I'd take -150 that they do), the obvious obstacle would be Calgary or Winnipeg. We still don't know if or when Matt Nichols will come back so peg is a big question mark. Calgary is the most likely west representative as they are getting healthy at the right time and have a very good shot at HFA which puts them one game away. And now the kicker...the GC game is in Calgary this year so the stamps would have an obvious huge HFA if they get there. But like I said, +500 or better in a one game showdown is a good deal from where I sit so I'm very happy with Hamilton as a value play.