Point spreads and totals haven’t yet been released for the opening week of the Canadian Football League season, but it’s not too early to get some bets down on our three-down brand.

As they do before the beginning of most professional sports seasons, many sportsbooks are offering Futures betting on which team will win the CFL championship this year.

Futures betting can be lucrative because even the most favoured teams this year will pay nearly three times your bet if they win it all, and the biggest longshot will pay 15:1.

It’s time to polish off that crystal ball and determine who will hoist the Grey Cup at the end of the 2011 campaign. Or, if that crystal ball of yours is still a bit fuzzy, here’s a quick look at your options and the sportsbooks that are offering the best odds on each:

Calgary Stampeders (+285 at 5Dimes)

Calgary once again looks like a sexy pick to win it all, but bettors have been fooled before.

The Stampeders had the best record in the league last year, finishing 13-5, before being upset in the West final by Saskatchewan.

Most of last year’s team remains in tact, however, as it seeks redemption.

Calgary’s strength lies in the offensive backfield with quarterback Henry Burris and the running back tandem of Joffrey Reynolds and Jon Cornish.

Coach John Hufnagel has a couple holes to patch on the defensive side, however, after defensive backs Brandon Browner and Anderson left Cowtown during the offseason.

Montreal Alouettes (+350 at Bodog, Sports Interaction and JustBet)

The road to the Grey Cup often goes through Montreal, and this season looks like it will be more of the same.

Led by two-time league MVP Anthony Calvillo at quarterback, the Als remain the class of the East Division as they shoot for their third straight Grey Cup title. If Montreal can pull it off, it will be the first team to win three consecutive CFL championships since the Edmonton Eskimos turned the trick from 1978-80.

Calvillo will be without his favourite target this year, however, as slotback Ben Cahoon retired to pursue a coaching career in the U.S. The picture at running back is also a bit muddy as the team looks to replace the departed Avon Cobourne.

Defensively, the Als got a boost in the secondary with the addition of free agent Dwight Anderson, who came from Calgary.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (+700 at Pinnacle, 5Dimes, JustBet and Bodog)

Optimism reigns in Hamilton as the Tiger-Cats shoot for their first Grey Cup title since 1999.

General manager Bob O’Billovich has brought in several impact players, including former Montreal running back Avon Cobourne, to solidify a squad that went 9-9 last year before losing in the first round of the playoffs to Toronto.

Quarterback Kevin Glenn, coming off a 33-touchdown season, and slotback Dave Stala could be an explosive tandem to watch. Defensively, rush ends Stevie Bags and Justin Hickman give the Ti-Cats a potent pass rush.

Hamilton also believes it has shored up its kicking game — a sore spot in recent years — with the signing of Justin Medlock.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (+725 at Pinnacle and 5Dimes)

Want a darkhorse pick to win it all? How about a Saskatchewan organization that has reached the Grey Cup game in three of the past four years, won it all in 2007 and came a penalty away from winning it again in 2009?

There’s a different sheriff in Regina this year, however. Greg Marshall replaces former Roughies coach Ken Miller, who has moved up to general manager. Two other CFL ex-head coaches, Richie Hall and Doug Berry, are also on the Saskatchewan staff.

Quarterback Darian Durant returns, but he’ll be without top weapon Andy Fantuz who signed with the Chicago Bears this past offseason. The Roughriders hope veteran Jason Clermont can help offset the loss of Fantuz.

British Columbia Lions (+800 at Pinnacle, The Greek and 5Dimes)

If the Lions can make it to the Grey Cup this year, they’ll have a big advantage.

B.C. will host the 2011 Grey Cup and hopes for a repeat of the 1994 season, when the Lions won the championship — the last CFL team to win the league title on its home turf.

It won’t be easy, however. In a league that requires excellent play from your quarterback, the Leos are relying on former backups Travis Lulay and Jarious Jackson after cutting Casey Printers.

B.C. will need strong play from its defence, anchored by 2010 rookie of the year linebacker Solomon Elimimian.

Edmonton Eskimos (+850 at Pinnacle)

It’s a brand new look in Edmonton, where only eight players return from the group of 24 that started last year’s training camp.

Also gone is coach Richie Hall, replaced by first-time head coach Kavis Reed, as Edmonton looks to return to the playoffs after a disappointing 7-11 campaign in 2010.

A lot will be on the shoulders of quarterback Ricky Ray, who has struggled the last two seasons. Reed is expecting bigger things from Ray this year, noting that the veteran pivot is finally completely healthy.

The offensive line is a bit of a concern for the Eskimos this year.

Toronto Argonauts (+1200 at Pinnacle, The Greek and 5Dimes)

After winning more games last year (nine) than the previous two seasons combined (seven), the Argos look to take the next step this year.

Head coach/general manager Jim Barker seems confident in the group he has, choosing not to make many changes during the offseason. The only significant departures were defensive tackles Eric Taylor and Adriano Belli, while the one major acquisition Toronto made was trading for QB Steven Jyles.

Jyles hopes to push Cleo Lemon for the starting quarterback job in Toronto this year.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+1800)

The Bombers hope they’re not as bad as last year’s 4-14 record made them look, and they might be right.

Nine of Winnipeg’s losses came by four points or less, while the team was also without the services of free agent quarterback Buck Pierce for most of the campaign. Pierce is reportedly healthy and ready to go this season.

The Bombers also hope for big things from sophomore receivers Greg Carr and Terence Jeffers-Harris, who had flashy rookie seasons in 2010.