Weekly Predictor: Who wins in Week 21?

Well here we are. It's the final week of the regular season and it can be the hardest week to predict.

You have teams like Winnipeg battling for their playoff lives, while Montreal, BC, Toronto and Edmonton can freely rest whoever they want.

What does it mean on the field? I’ve seen it all over the years. I've seen resting teams beat teams with something to play for and vice versa.

One thing I have learned is that good teams have some fairly decent backups and that you can’t rest everyone.

So, here we go for Week 21 predictions.

MONTREAL AT TORONTO

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 7:00 P.M. ET TSN, RDS2, CFL+

The Alouettes chose to rest a few of their key offensive stars against the Roughriders last week and produced only 12 points. They also played a lot of their defensive starters, who held Saskatchewan to nine points until a last-second, game-winning touchdown.

I think they’ll swap roles this week, though the offensive players likely won’t go start to finish.

Toronto will likely keep it safe with Chad Kelly, after he was hurt in last week’s loss to Ottawa. As for who else might sit for the Argos, that’s anyone’s guess.

I just like Montreal’s depth a lot better than Toronto’s and Jason Maas has shown he will have everyone ready to play, while Toronto just lost to Ottawa.

PICK: MONTREAL

WINNIPEG AT BC

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 10:00 P.M. ET TSN, CFL+

This could be a preview of next week’s Western Semi-Final, if the Bombers win and the Riders lose this week. I also think we’ll see BC make sure everyone is as healthy as possible for next week’s playoff game while Winnipeg is playing for their playoff lives.

Zach Collaros and company have been so inconsistent this year. You just can never predict what they will do from week to week.

But I have to think a win-and-you’re-in game will have this veteran group able to rise to the occasion with an expected short-handed BC team.

However, Kaidon Salter has already shocked the Bombers this year! So I wouldn’t be surprised if he does it again. Young quarterbacks who get a chance to prove themselves in a ‘meaningless’ game is very meaningful to them.

But I can’t ignore that the Bombers have so much more to play for.

PICK: WINNIPEG

OTTAWA AT HAMILTON

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 3:00 P.M. ET TSN, CFL+

They did it! Bryson Barnes was really impressive in his starting debut to end the historic skid of the REDBLACKS.

Barnes is exactly what you want in a quarterback, with his mix of athleticism and big arm. Ottawa’s fear has to be an emotional let down after such a euphoric high of that first win. You could tell that it was an emotional drain on them all and it likely felt like a massive weight was lifted off of their shoulders when showing up to work this week.

Ottawa is up against Hamilton, who have an equally challenging mental hurdle to clear. The Tiger-Cats had a bye week last week and now have to come back and get ready for a game that doesn't have any playoff implications.

Hamilton has the leaders to make sure they don't phone it in, but I feel Ottawa has been playing a lot better ball over the last couple of weeks despite only having one win.

I’m back to picking Ottawa... here’s hoping I don’t go winless picking them.

PICK: OTTAWA

EDMONTON AT SASKATCHEWAN

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 3:00 P.M. ET TSN, RDS2, CFL+

The Riders are expected to play most of their starters to at least start the game, despite knowing they’re heading on the road for either the Western or Eastern Semi-Final.

The Elks, you would assume, would rest some players after clinching first in the West last week.

Saskatchewan’s goal is to build on last week’s win and look a lot more like their championship calibre selves. The Riders have just not been able to gain much momentum going into the playoffs, but last week’s late win may propel them in the right direction.

By Week 8 or 9 of the season, it looked like this game could be an epic playoff clash for first or second in the division. Instead, the Elks remained at the top, while the Riders sagged in the back half of the season.

I think the Riders can carry over some momentum but as the starters come off the field, it could be a coin toss.