Who’s ready for some Canadian bacon?
The CFL‘s regular season gets underway on Thursday when the BC Lions visit the Calgary Stampeders at 9 p.m. ET, but there’s still time to lock in a few futures bets on the new season.
Many players have swapped jerseys ahead of the 2023 CFL season and there are plenty of intriguing wagering opportunities as we inch closer to kickoff.
Let’s take a look at the CFL outright odds, division odds, and season win totals available ahead of Thursday’s opener.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers to win the Grey Cup
+225
Grey Cup Outright odds
Once again, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are projected to win the 2023 Grey Cup, which will be played in Hamilton at Tim Hortons Field on Nov. 19.
The Blue Bombers have qualified for the Grey Cup in three consecutive seasons and won the title in 2019 and 2021 before falling to the Toronto Argonauts in last year’s championship game.
Hamilton, BC, Toronto, and Calgary all have odds between +430 and +600 depending on which sportsbook you’re wagering with, and either squad could challenge Winnipeg for CFL supremacy this year.
| Grey Cup Odds – Teams |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | +200 | +185 | +225 |
| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | +450 | +450 | +550 |
| Toronto Argonauts | +500 | +600 | +500 |
| BC Lions | +650 | +500 | +550 |
| Calgary Stampeders | +750 | +600 | +650 |
| Montreal Alouettes | +1200 | +1300 | +1200 |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | +1400 | +1300 | +1200 |
| Ottawa Redblacks | +1500 | +1100 | +1500 |
| Edmonton Elks | +2000 | +1700 | +2000 |
Division odds
The Blue Bombers are seeking a fourth consecutive West Division title in 2023 and oddsmakers like their chances of that happening. BC and Calgary should be Winnipeg’s biggest challengers, with Saskatchewan and Edmonton bringing up the rear as both franchises rebuild.
| West Division | Odds |
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | +105 |
| BC Lions | +335 |
| Calgary Stampeders | +355 |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | +750 |
| Edmonton Elks | +1100 |
In the East, Hamilton is a slight favourite over Toronto. The Argonauts claimed the division crown last year, and it should be a dogfight between the two Ontario rivals this year for the title.
| East Division | Odds |
| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | +175 |
| Toronto Argonauts | +200 |
| Montreal Alouettes | +360 |
| Ottawa Redblacks | +380 |
Season win totals
All season win totals courtesy of Sports Interaction.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Record last season: 15-3, lost in Grey Cup to Argonauts
2023 season win total: Over 12.5 (-125), Under 12.5 (+100)
Key additions: Kenny Lawler (WR)
Key departures: Greg Ellingson (WR), Casey Sayles (DL)
Season outlook: The Bombers boast a stacked roster once again and basically swapped out one star receiver (Greg Ellingson) for another (Kenny Lawler). This team only lost one game at home last season and is returning the two-time reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player Zach Collaros at quarterback and the CFL’s top rookie last season in receiver Dalton Shoen. Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat are also back to bolster the defensive line for this star-studded roster. The Grey Cup is Winnipeg’s to lose, again.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Record last season: 8-10, lost in conference semifinals to Alouettes
2023 season win total: Over 10.5 (-115), Under 10.5 (-105)
Key additions: Bo Levi Mitchell (QB), James Butler (RB), Casey Sayles (DL), Jameer Thurman (LB), Ja’Gared Davis (DL), Chris Edwards (LB)
Key departures: Steven Dunbar (WR), Ciante Evans (DB), Julian Howsare (DL), Jumal Rolle (DB), Jovan Santos-Knox (LB), Cariel Brooks
Season outlook: Dane Evans is out and veteran Bo Levi Mitchell is in at quarterback as Hamilton revamped its roster this winter. James Butler is a fine addition at running back after having a massive year for the Lions and he should provide Hamilton a potent rushing attack that the team hasn’t had for several years now. He should also take the pressure off Mitchell, who is being counted on to lead the Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup that’s being played in Steeltown this year. Emotional leader Simoni Lawrence has re-signed with the club and should form a formidable duo at linebacker with Jameer Thurman, if he can stay healthy.
Toronto Argonauts
Record last season: 11-7, won the Grey Cup
2023 season win total: Over 9.5 (-125), Under 9.5 (+100)
Key additions: Thomas Costigan (DL), David Ungerer (WR), Adarius Pickett (LB), Folarin Orimolade
Key departures: Ja’Gared Davis (DL), McLeod Bethel-Thompson (QB), Chris Edwards (LB), Justin Lawrence (OL)
Season outlook: McLeod Bethel-Thompson leaving the team for the USFL is a setback, but the team is counting on Chad Kelly (nephew of legendary Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly) stepping into the No. 1 role. He heroically filled in at quarterback during last year’s Grey Cup, leading Toronto to victory late in the game. The Argos are returning much of their roster from last year and should be contenders again.
BC Lions
Record last season: 12-6, lost in conference finals to Blue Bombers
2023 season win total: Over 9.5 (-125), Under 9.5 (+100)
Key additions: Michael Couture (OL), Shawn Lemon (DL)
Key departures: Nathan Rourke (QB), James Butler (WR), Bryan Burnham (WR – retired)
Season outlook: Nathan Rourke transformed this squad into a contender last year and revitalized the fanbase. But, he’s set sail for the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving the keys to the bus for dual-threat quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. The departures of Butler and Bryan Burnham are also blows to this offence, but BC’s defence should be one of the best in the league once again. If the Lions can sort out the kinks and gel quickly with a new group on offence, they could be serious contenders in the West.
Calgary Stampeders
Record last season: 12-6, lost in conference semifinals
2023 season win total: Over 9.5 (-115), Under 9.5 (-105)
Key additions: Micah Awe (LB), Julian Howsare (DL)
Key departures: Bo Levi Mitchell (QB), Jameer Thurman (LB), Folarin Orimolade (DL)
Season outlook: Jake Maier is the new face of the franchise as the undisputed starting quarterback with the departure of Mitchell, but he’ll have to find success with a relatively unproven group of receivers. Calgary’s defence has undergone a major overhaul, but the ultimate fate of this team will depend on the running game. Ka’Deem Carey has a great chance to lead the league in rushing yards again after eclipsing 1,000 yards on the ground last year.
Montreal Alouettes
Record last season: 9-9, lost on conference finals
2023 season win total: Over 7.5 (+100), Under 7.5 (-125)
Key additions: Caleb Evans (QB), Justin Lawrence (OL), Ciante Evans (DB), Jumal Rolle (DB), Greg Ellingson (WR), Cody Fajardo (QB)
Key departures: Micah Awe (LB), Thomas Costigan (DL), Dominique Davis (QB), Trevor Harris (QB), Eugene Lewis (WR), Jake Wieneke (WR)
Season outlook: The Alouettes put together an unlikely run to the conference finals last year, but the team will look radically different in 2023. Trevor Harris left Montreal and signed with the Roughriders, so the Als went out and signed Cody Fajardo, who had a miserable season in Saskatchewan last year. Top receiver Eugene Lewis, who finished second in the league with 1,303 receiving yards last year, also left the team to sign with Edmonton. The addition of Ellingson should ease the pain of losing Lewis a little bit, though, as the team transitions to a new ownership group. Montreal is perhaps the most unpredictable team heading into the new season.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Record last season: 6-12, didn’t make playoffs
2023 season win total: Over 7.5 wins (+100), Under 7.5 wins (-125)
Key additions: Trevor Harris (QB), Jake Wieneke (WR), Micah Johnson (DL), Derel Walker (WR)
Key departures: Cody Fajardo (QB), Shaq Evans (WR), Jordan Herdman-Reed (LB)
Season outlook: Kelly Jeffrey is the team’s new offensive coordinator and he’ll be working with new quarterback Trevor Harris to revamp the offence. Harris should be a stabilizing force at quarterback for the Riders, who also have a proficient running game with feature back Jamal Morrow. Linebacker Larry Dean will be counted on to make plays again for a defence that finished in the middle of the pack in many statistical categories last year. The Roughriders always have the advantage of boasting the most raucous home fans in the league.
Ottawa Redblacks
Record last season: 4-14, didn’t make playoffs
2023 season win total: Over 7.5 wins (-130), Under 7.5 wins (+110)
Key additions: Jovan Santos-Knox (LB), Shaq Evans (WR), Drew Desjarlais (OL), Cariel Brooks
Key departures: Caleb Evans (QB), Kwaku Boateng (DL), Darius Ciraco (OL)
Season outlook: It’s been a tough couple of years for the Redblacks and that prompted a complete overhaul of the coaching staff in the offseason. Bob Dyce is in at head coach and Khari Jones is the new offensive coordinator that is hoping quarterback Jeremiah Masoli can rebound after breaking his leg last season. The team is hopeful that Masoli will be ready for Week 1, but it’s not guaranteed. Santos-Knox was a great offseason addition to the defence and offensive lineman Dontae Bull, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 320 pounds, should be fun to watch after being drafted by the Redblacks with the first overall pick in his year’s draft.
Edmonton Elks
Record last season: 4-14, didn’t make playoffs
2023 season win total: Over 6.5 wins (-120), Under 6.5 wins (-105)
Key additions: Eugene Lewis (WR), Steven Dunbar (WR), Kevin Francis (LB), Kyran Moore (WR)
Key departures: Kenny Lawler (WR), Derel Walker (WR), Ante Litre (RB)
Season outlook: The Elks were downright awful last year, scoring the least amount of points in the league while also allowing the most. To make matters worse, the team hasn’t recorded a home win since Oct. 12, 2019 (17-game home losing streak)! The revamped receiving corps led by Lewis should give Edmonton a proficient passing attack as long as quarterback Taylor Cornelius takes a step forward, and he should. The defence is still in shambles, although some upgrades were made through the draft this year. Getting a few home wins and finishing close to the .500 mark would be a huge success for this team this year.
