Hamilton Tiger-Cats' quarterback Zach Collaros (4) throws during first-half CFL football action in Hamilton on August 3, 2015.Peter Power/The Canadian Press
Zach Collaros and Matt Nichols both face a formidable challenge Friday night.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-2) will visit Commonwealth Stadium to face the Edmonton Eskimos (5-2). Not only is it a clash between two division leaders but also one involving two of the CFL's top defences.
Edmonton is ranked first in 14 of the CFL's 25 defensive categories, including fewest points (14.4), yards (272), points (14.4) and sacks (27). Hamilton leads in five, including being tied with the Eskimos for most interceptions (11) while being first in interception yards (386) and fewest yards rushing (73.1).
But Hamilton is second in seven other categories and has scored seven defensive touchdowns. That includes a team record-tying six on interception returns, which is one off the league mark.
The statistics for both defences are certainly daunting for Hamilton starter Collaros and Nichols, who's expected to be under centre for Edmonton. But the staggering numbers don't stop there.
Edmonton is a CFL-best 5-0 at home and 3-1 versus East Division competition. By comparison, Hamilton is 2-2 on the road, the two losses being by a combined four points.
Hamilton, which has won four straight, is also 4-1 versus West Division competition, the lone defeat being a season-opening 24-23 decision in Calgary. The Ticats also lead the CFL with a giveaway-takeaway ratio of plus-12 while Edmonton is at zero.
But while there's not much separating both defences, the same can't be said at quarterback where Collaros gives Hamilton an edge. Collaros is the CFL's passing leader (2,014 yards) and heads up a Ticats' offence averaging a league-high 34.7 points per game.
Nichols has guided Edmonton to all of its wins since replacing injured incumbent Mike Reilly (knee). But Nichols has thrown more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (eight) and been very inconsistent under centre.
Nichols left last weekend's 15-12 win over Montreal with a suspected head injury. He was cleared to resume practising and is expected to start against Hamilton.
Thursday night's game also starts a nasty stretch for Edmonton, whose next five contests are against Hamilton (twice), Calgary (twice) and Toronto. Fortunately for the Eskimos, three are at home.
There's also the matter of Hamilton's Brandon Banks. The electrifying Banks – appropriately nicknamed Speedy B – has returned a league-high three punts for touchdowns and is a threat do so every time he touches the ball.
This should be a tight, defensive struggle. But Collaros's ability to improvise on the run, the return of receiver Luke Tasker, kicker Justin Medlock's consistency and Banks' big-play ability combine to give Hamilton an edge on the road.
Pick: Hamilton.
Montreal Alouettes vs B.C. Lions
Montreal (2-5) has scored a CFL-worst 11 offensive TDs but with rookie Rakeem Cato at quarterback, that's not surprising. Maybe the exuberance of youth can make the Als forget they're 8-26-1 all-time in Vancouver, their last win at B.C. Place coming in 2000. The Lions (3-4) lost 52-22 in Hamilton on Saturday night and a defence allowing 30.1 points per game is without standout linebacker Solomon Elimimian (Achilles), last season's league MVP and top defensive performer.
Pick: Montreal.
Calgary Stampeders vs Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan (0-7) comes off the bye to face a Calgary (5-2) team that impressively beat Ottawa 48-3 last weekend. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw two TD passes and scored twice against the Redblacks. Five of the Riders' losses have been by a combined 14 points, including a 30-26 decision in Toronto on Aug 8 where they had three TDs called back due to penalties. Flags have been an issue as the 2013 Grey Cup champions are the league's most penalized and hurt themselves with untimely infractions.
Pick: Calgary.
Ottawa RedBlacks versus Toronto Argonauts
Toronto (5-2) plays at Rogers Centre for just the second time this season. Quarterback Trevor Harris remains the starter with veteran Ricky Ray (shoulder) back on the six-game injured list. Ottawa (3-4) must forget last weekend's lopsided loss to Calgary and would receiver a big boost if receiver/returner Chris Williams returns. The Argos have habitually rallied for wins this year but if they're serious about wanting to finish atop the East, they must prevail in games like this.
Pick: Toronto.
Last week: 4-0.
Overall record: 15-13.