Two teams that have been struggling over the last few weeks meet up in Hamilton on Saturday, of the two the Tiger Cats perhaps in need of a win and some positive movement more so than their guests from Alberta.
Hamilton has had a season to forget thus far in their farewell to Ivor Wynne, far too many games given away by miscues, high profile off season acquisitions still struggling to find their niche in the Tiger Cat game plan as we head towards Thanksgiving.
It wasn't supposed to be this way when George Cortez crossed over the bridge from Buffalo, the Cats were a team on the rise in the CFL, those new names on the back a sign that ownership was dedicated to making the final year in the old yard a memorable one, so fart it's been memorable but for all the wrong reasons with a record of 3-7.
Key to the Tiger Cats success this weekend will be Henry Burris finding a strong game and his high profile stable of receivers rising up to the challenge ahead, of course all of that will be for nought should the defence continue to struggle, only Winnipeg has worse defensive numbers so far in 2012, an indication as to why the Bombers and Cats dwell near the bottom of the CFL standings.
Over in Edmonton, the season has probably been a pleasant surprise, yet with accomplishment in August has come disappointment through September, a pair of losses to the arch rival Stampeders no doubt sticking the most in the craw of any true Eskimo fan.
Still at 5 and 5 heading into week 12, Eskimo fans are probably hopeful that the early success of the Esks can be recaptured heading into the playoff drive, something that no doubt few thought would be on their minds when the season started.
Kerry Joseph has been tapped to get the start once again, Joseph the aging CFL veteran had two strong games against the Stamps in the Labour Day back to backs, he kept his team in the running for victories in both, it was mental and on field errors from other departments that made the folks in Calgary happy, addressing those struggles is no doubt what Kavis Reed has been working on leading up to week 12.
The Saturday match up with Hamilton could be pivotal to the Eskimo playoff plans, with the strength of the West over Eastern teams so far in 2012, a crossover playoff berth seems destined for whichever Western team finishes fourth.
A victory over Hamilton Saturday most likely would add to the Eskimos side of the ledger should that be their required path to the post season.
Game Time 3 PM ET, 1 MT, Noon PT, Ivor Wynne Stadium TSN
Edmonton 8 at Hamilton 51 (24,162)
Pre Game
CFL Video Preview
Globe and Mail-- Tiger-Cats look to break out of tailspin against Eskimos
National Post-- Eskimos weary of Ivor Wynne stadium ahead of date with Ticats
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats not out of it yet, but ...
Toronto Sun-- Tiger-Cats in quite some 'rut'
Edmonton Journal-- Edmonton Eskimos trade for Tiger-Cats fullback
Edmonton Sun-- Ivor Wynne a homey atmosphere for Eskimos' Jerome Messam
Team Backgrounders
Edmonton Eskimos
Hamilton Tiger Cats
Post Game
CFL.ca- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights
Globe and Mail-- Burris keys Ticats' rout of Eskimos
National Post-- Ticats show brute strength in rout of Eskimos
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats destroy Eskimos 51-8 (no, that's not a misprint)
Toronto Sun-- Tiger-Cats crush Eskimos 51-8
Edmonton Journal-- Blocked field goal proves to be turning point in Tiger-Cats rout of Eskimos
Edmonton Sun-- Tiger-Cats crush Eskimos 51-8
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