CFL 2026: ATS picks week 1

I am picking all underdogs against the spread (ATS) to open the 2026 season.

HAMmerville +1.5 over montreal

CALGARY +1.5 over winterpeg

redmonton +3.5 over OTTAWA. 

Godiva toy boy  Archibald points out that western teams are now 290-194-4 or 59.8% straight-up against eastern teams from 2012 through 2025 including Grey Cups and other playoff games. 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.

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. 

Arch is too busy with his new hobby to maintain his CFL ATS pool, so my picks are just for fun now. 

Apologies to loyal Godivans for not yet updating my 2024 and 2025 records ATS. Chaos caused by doesn't-deserve-me Godiva toy boy and and fiance-in-perpetuity Archibald preventing me from keeping up during the regular season. And, I have been so caught up helping Godiva toy boy and permanent fiance Arch with his substacking that I still haven't had time to update my CFL picking record for 2024 and 2025.