CFL Betting Odds: West Division Preview

Will Travis Lulay and the BC Lions hoist the Grey Cup again this year?

The CFL season is just around the corner and we can only hope that this season is as exciting as the last.

In the West Division, the B.C. Lions are not only favored to win the division again, but also the favourite to repeat as Grey Cup champions. B.C. may lead the way, but the West promises to be a close race as Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatchewan are catching up.

Here is a preview of the West Division:

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British Columbia Lions
CFL Futures: +450 to win Grey Cup

The Lions won their sixth Grey Cup last season, which was also their third since 2000. They were the first team ever to start the season 0-5 and still win the Grey Cup. Head coach Wally Buono stepped down as the team’s leader but defensive coordinator Mike Benevides will step up and take over the reins. He has been with the team since 2003, so the players are used to him and familiarity can play a large part in early-season success.

Travis Lulay remains under center for the Lions and his favorite targets are all back. But the defense lost linebacker Solomon Elimimian to the NFL and tackle Aaron Hunt is now in Montreal, so those spots will have to be addressed.

Calgary Stampeders
CFL Futures: +450 to win Grey Cup

The Stampeders are also going with a new quarterback as Henry Burris is now in Hamilton, which means it’s time for Drew Tate to take over. But the Stampeders have a pair of running backs in Jon Cornish and LaMarcus Coker that could lead the way until Calgary figures out its quarterbacking situation.

The defense has added Ameet Pall, whom the Stampeders drafted and he should add instant pressure up front. Even so, there are some questions on the back end of the defense and that is never good for a team in the pass-heavy CFL. Last year was disappointing for the Stamps, who lost in the West semis after a Grey Cup win and two conference finals in the previous three years. Head coach John Hufnagel is on the hot seat to get the most out of this team.

Edmonton Eskimos
CFL Futures: +800 to win Grey Cup

For the first time since 2002, the Eskimos won’t have quarterback Ricky Ray under center. The quarterback position can make such a big difference in the CFL and Steven Jyles will now be the man in the crosshairs. He’ll have big shoes to fill as Ray was well loved in the community.

He’ll have to carry the offense with running back Jerome Messam gone and receiver Jason Barnes in Toronto (which is where Ray went to). Edmonton will have to look to its defense to keep the Eskimos in games while their offense finds their feet.

Saskatchewan Roughriders
CFL Futures: +900 to win Grey Cup

The Green Riders were a mess in 2011 and things can’t really get worse…can they? Darian Durant is the only quarterback returning and if he gets hurt, there is no telling who could step into his shoes. The fact that the offensive line has been overhauled is not a vote of confidence to keeping Durant upright and it doesn’t help that the team’s receivers are up there in years.

Speaking of over the hill, the defense was getting long in the tooth, which is why the Roughriders made some changes. They could be very young in 2012 and that might not bode well for them this year. They are trying to find the right foundation of young players that will make them competitive again and growing pains can be expected.

Throw in the fact that they also have a rookie head coach in Corey Chamblin, who will help on the defensive side of the ball where the Roughriders need more assistance, and the Roughries are still likely heading for another season in the CFL basement.

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