On what’s forecast to be a sub-zero and cloudy afternoon in Regina, Saskatchewan, the Toronto Argonauts will attempt to stop a history-seeking Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
To arrive at Mosaic Stadium, the Argos topped the East Division with an 11-7 record and beat the Montreal Alouettes in a heated Division Finals game.
The Bombers also topped their division, but with a 15-3 record, and then resoundingly beat the BC Lions in the postseason 28-20.
It’s certainly not a secret that Winnipeg is favoured to win the 109th Grey Cup, especially as the True Blue edged the Boatmen earlier in the season. Here’s how the odds are leaning for the CFL’s grand finale:
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Spread: Toronto +5.5 (-110), Winnipeg -5.5 (-118)
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Points Total: Under 47.5 (-110), Over 47.5 (-118)
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Money Line: Toronto (+155), Winnipeg (-222)
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Q2 to be the Highest Scoring Quarter (+150)
Read on to take a closer look at these 2022 Grey Cup odds and if the Argonauts can pull off an underdog triumph.
Blue Bombers Favoured After Dominant Campaign
When the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts met in the opening weeks of the season, Winnipeg took the game 23-22, with the story of the game being Toronto’s comeback cut short by a missed extra point kick.
Since that matchup, both sides went on to dominate their respective divisions.
While there’s something to be said for the difference in strength between the East and West Divisions, the Blue Bombers put up 95 more points and conceded 55 fewer than the Argos.
Naturally, such dominance hasn’t been missed by the oddsmakers. This is why Winnipeg is at -5.5 in the spread at -118.
Given the closeness of their first meet and a potentially major injury (see below), perhaps Toronto shouldn’t be counted out at -110 at +5.5 on the spread.
For the outright winner of the 109th Grey Cup, the Blue Bombers are clearly expected to bring it home at -222 on the money line, while the Argonauts sit out at +155.
Injuries Could Play a Huge Role
However, there are question marks surrounding Winnipeg’s star playmaker, Zach Collaros. The quarterback looked to injure his ankle in the Division Final and couldn’t return to the field. He also sat out the first practice of the week.
With the 109th Grey Cup taking place just one week later, many speculate that, even if he does play, Collaros won’t be at 100 per cent, and Winnipeg likely won’t be able to benefit from his incredible scrambling plays.
The Blue Bombers do boast a mighty rushing attack, though, with Brady Oliveira breaking out in 2022.
Pushing Oliveira as their spearhead, the defending champions put up 113.5 yards per game – good for second in the regular season. He also took the Division Final into his own hands with 167 combined yards.
His opposite number just happens to be his former mentor and six-time All-Star, Andrew Harris. Harris was unceremoniously pushed out of Winnipeg this offseason, but when fit, he’s been solid for the Argos.
However, Harris has rushed to recover from surgery and make it back to the field. He secured 42 yards and a touchdown in his return from a torn pectoral muscle to help win passage to the 109th Grey Cup.
Due in large part to Harris missing so much time, Toronto put up rock-bottom figures for rushing attempts (17.2) and yards (81.7) per game but have still made it to the 2022 Grey Cup.
With Harris and, very possibly, Collaros not being at full strength, many fans will wait for the game to start and get on the live betting to catch the odds once it’s clear what condition the Winnipeg QB and Argos RB are in.
Zach Collaros did not finish the game. Suspected left ankle injury as the #Bombers head to the Grey Cup. Buckle up.
— 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 (@DarrinBauming) November 14, 2022
pic.twitter.com/JByIi0Wrfr
Winnipeg Gunning for the Three-Peat
The last time a team won three or more Grey Cups in row was from 1978 to 1982, when the Edmonton Eskimos picked up five on the bounce. Funnily enough, it was Toronto that snapped the streak in 1983.
Now, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are eyeing up the three-peat at the 109th Grey Cup, and everything looks to be playing in their favour.
Even with Collaros potentially at reduced capacity, Oliveira has proven a force to be reckoned with.
As current weather reports read as breezy and -5oC in Saskatchewan on November 20, there’s a good chance that the Blue Bombers will be passing the rock to the running back very often.
It has to be said that Toronto has a particularly stout, and it’ll be looking to close in on both a potentially less mobile Collaros and Oliveira to snuff out the most significant weapons.
On the other side of the ball, unless Harris puts in a performance akin to that which won him the 2019 Grey Cup MVP award, the Argonauts might play right into Winnipeg’s hands.
In the West Final, the Blue Bombers faced a formidable passing attack from the BC Lions, but having held QBs to a mere 65 per cent pass completion percentage – good for best in the CFL – they were confident.
In the end, Nathan Rourke hit a 54.1 percentage, 300 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
McLeod Bethel-Thomspon has enjoyed an All-Star campaign and achieved a 73.0 per cent in the July 5 meet, but he did throw two interceptions to his two touchdowns.
Strong defences in the right ways could bring about a particularly low-scoring game at the 109th Grey Cup. While over 47.5 points is favoured at -118, defences ruling the day may bring fans to side in favour of the under at -110.
In a last look at some 109th Grey Cup odds, Q2 and Q4 are favoured to be the highest scoring at +150 and +205, respectively.
The Blue Bombers are well-known for jumping out of the traps, but in nine of their 19 games this season, the second quarter was the highest or joint-highest scoring. For the Argos, it’s nine of 19 in favour of the fourth.
Most expect the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to make history at the 109th Grey Cup, and the odds and preview certainly favour the three-peat.
However, with Collaros’ ankle potentially throwing a spanner in the works and Harris out with a point to prove, Toronto shouldn’t be written off just yet.
*Credit for all images in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 18th November 2022
