I am picking against the spread (ATS) in week 6 of the 2026 season:
rEDMONTON -6.5 over ottawa
calgary +3.5 over MONTREAL
WINterPEG -2 over toronto
SASquatCHEWAN -8.5 over hammerville
After 5 weeks, I am 9-9 = 2-3 home underdogs, 1-2 home overdogs, 1-2 road overdogs and 5-2 road underdogs. A simple all-road strategy is 11-7 so far.
Godiva toy boy Archibald points out that western teams are now 295-197-4 or 59.9% straight-up against eastern teams from 2012 through 2026 including Grey Cups and other playoff games. In 2026 the west is 5-3 against the east straight-up and 4-4 ATS.
The west was 27-15 straight-up last year in 2025 including Winterpeg's loss to MONTREAL in the eastern semi-final and Sasquatchewan's Grey Cup victory. SASquatchEWAN was 8-1 v. the east in 2025 and 1-1 so far in 2026.
However, in 2024, east bested west 23-16-2 after winning in 2023 as well.
The east won 3 straight Grey Cups from 2022 through 2024. But, the west has won 12 of the past 19 Grey Cups. I am proud, albeit insignificantly statistically proud, to be 11-5 ATS picking the past 16 Grey Cups, although I admit to losing the past 3 before winning 2025.
I am 51% over 15 years picking Canadian Football League (CFL) winners ATS from 2009 on through 2025. (I do not do well enough to make a profit betting CFL games with real money, but every now and then my picks should be good enough to win a small, just-for-fun CFL season-long pool. I trail behind a simple all-underdogs strategy at 52% from 2009-2025. 2023 was the first year since 2014 for CFL underdogs to record a losing year ATS. 2023 was my worst year ever by far and my 2nd consecutive losing year.
