CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 8

It's back to work for all of the CFL's teams this week, the August bye weeks a thing of the past, the Labour Day benchmark fast approaching.

Week eight provides the measuring point for a number of teams, some of them having a surprising year thus far, others one that is trending towards potential disaster.

Winnipeg holds the latter category, testing out quarterback number three on the year, awaiting the return of Buck Pierce with Alex Brink giving way to Joey Elliot, raw meat for the visiting Tiger Cats who have some pent up anger to deliver after last weeks disappointing loss to Calgary. Winnipeg's season is fast approaching a meltdown and a quick scan of the Winnipeg papers highlights that sense of frustration set to boil over.

The Eskimos on the other have been the surprise thus far of the CFL season and while Steven Jyles has had a few bumps along the way, he's managed to hold his own heading into week 8, the Esks holding a share of the top of the West thanks to a strong defensive game so far. They take their game to Montreal, where the Als have been having a rather lack lustre season heading to the end of August. Still however within striking range of the top of the east.

The Stamps will be looking to build on Jon Cornish's outstanding performance last week in Hamilton, the Stamps play host to the Toronto Argonauts, a team that while moving forward still appears to be a bit of a work in progress. Ricky Ray who struggled with untimely turnovers last week, will be looking to regain some of his stride when he returns to McMahon Stadium, a familiar haunt for the former Eskimo.

The week wraps up with the Saskatchewan Roughriders heading west to the heatwave in Vancouver, though realistically it probably will resemble nothing more than a particularly warm Saskatchewan day when they arrive. The real heat is in the Rider locker room, where fourth quarter collapses and defensive miscues have been the norm in the last few weeks of play. Will history repeat itself once again, check back after 45 minutes... The Lions coming off their August bye week will be looking to return to the run they had been on before the break, a two week winning streak that had looked rather impressive, whether the week off cools off the Lions to the relief of the Riders will play out on Sunday.

Previews and reviews of week eight can be found below.

Thursday, August 16 -- Hamilton 25 at Winnipeg 32  (27,039)
Friday, August 17-- Montreal 38 at Edmonton 25  (32,760)
Saturday, August 18-- Toronto 22 at Calgary 14   (28,246)
Sunday, August 19-- Saskatchewan 5 at British Columbia 24 (22,912)

Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners

Hamilton
Edmonton
Calgary
British Columbia

Weekly Record

1 - 3

Overall Record

14 correct, 14 wrong