Dustin Crum faces a big challenge.
The rookie quarterback will make his first CFL start Saturday when the Ottawa Redblacks (1-3) host Winnipeg (4-1). Not only are the Blue Bombers unbeaten on the road and versus East Division rivals this season (2-0 for both), their defence is second in the CFL in sacks (16) and fewest offensive yards allowed (307.2 per game).
But Crum is coming off an inspiring performance in last week's 21-13 road loss in Hamilton.
He entered the game in the second quarter after veteran Jeremiah Masoli's heartbreaking injury. Masoli, making his season debut, suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon.
Masoli was playing a year to the day after suffering a right leg injury in a game versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Crum finished 14-of-21 passing for 149 yards with an interception but ran six times for 91 yards and a touchdown.
He narrowly missed putting Ottawa in position to force overtime. He had a 19-yard run on the game's final play but was stopped by Hamilton's Chris Edwards at the Ticats' one-yard line.
Crum will become Ottawa's fourth different starter this season. Veteran Nick Arbuckle opened under centre for the Redblacks' first two games before being replaced by Tyrie Adams.
Adams led Ottawa to its only win of the season, a 26-7 decision over Edmonton on June 30 that snapped the Redblacks' 13-game home losing streak. Adams completed 14-of-20 passes for 185 yards and a TD and ran three times for 31 yards but afterwards the club announced he'd miss the remainder of the year with a knee injury.
Winnipeg's defence is also ranked second against the run (81.2 yards per game). The Redblacks counter with the league's No. 3 ground game (110 yards per game) but also boast its worst aerial attack (196.5 yards).
Winnipeg's offence is led by quarterback Zach Collaros, the CFL's outstanding player the last two seasons. Collaros is the league's second-ranked passer (1,246 yards) but is tied with B.C.'s Vernon Adams Jr. for most TD strikes (nine) and has thrown just two interceptions in 138 passing attempts.
However, the Bombers also have a solid ground game, anchored by Canadian Brady Oliveira. The Winnipeg native is leading the CFL in rushing (400 yards, 5.2-yard average) and twice has run for 100 or more yards in a game.
Oliveira ran for 73 yards on 15 carries in Winnipeg's 24-11 win last week over Calgary. He was especially effective in the fourth quarter, rushing seven times for 53 yards on a late drive that Sergio Castillo capped with a 12-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining.
Winnipeg is ranked No. 2 in CFL rushing (125.6 yards per game) and third in offensive points (25 per game). That sets up an interesting battle versus an Ottawa defence that's second in fewest offensive points allowed (16.8 per game) and third in fewest yards (318.3).
But Winnipeg has won its last five games versus Ottawa, which last beat the Bombers during the '18 season.
Pick: Winnipeg.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats versus Edmonton Elks (Thursday night)
At Edmonton, it would seem the Elks (0-5) have a decent shot at ending their CFL-record 19-game home losing streak. Hamilton (1-3) is coming off its win over Ottawa on Saturday night and had just two practices before having to head to Alberta. The home team has the CFL's lowest-scoring offence (11.2 points per game) but the Ticats are allowing a league-high 27.8 offensive points per game. These two clubs meet for the 100th time in the regular season, with the Elks having a 60-38-1 record.
Pick: Edmonton.
Toronto Argonauts versus Montreal Alouettes (Friday night)
At Montreal, Toronto (3-0) has won four straight coming off the bye and is 5-2 in that scenario under head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, who signed a multi-year extension this week. The Argos lead the CFL in offensive points (33.7 per game), rushing (136.7 yards) and fewest turnovers allowed (four) but are 1-6 in their last seven visits to Molson Stadium. The Alouettes (2-2) have dropped two straight, including a 35-19 loss in Vancouver on Sunday, but are allowing just 17.5 offensive points per contest.
Pick: Toronto.
Calgary Stampeders versus Saskatchewan Roughriders (Sunday night)
At Regina, history isn't on the side of the Riders (3-1) as Calgary (1-3) is 15-5 in the last 20 head-to-head meetings. The Stamps have also won their last three games at Mosaic and eight-of-nine there overall. Saskatchewan starter Trevor Harris needs just 231 yards to reach 30,000 in his CFL career but sports a 2-10-2 all-time record versus the Stamps. The Riders won the first meeting of the season 29-26 in overtime at McMahon Stadium on June 24.
Pick: Calgary.
Last week: 3-1.
Overall: 14-5.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2023.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
