CFL Future Bets look at the upcoming 2023 season through a more traditional lens. Now is our time to give the contenders their rightful place in the sun. So, Vegas Betting takes a look at some of these shorter shots, including Winnipeg. Are they worth a pick after what happened last year? First, we will point some more line shifts along the way. As hard as it is to believe, the CFL season starts on Thursday night.
| Preseason 2023 CFL Futures |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | +250 | +300 | +192 |
| British Columbia Lions | +425 | +425 | +500 |
| Toronto Argonauts | +525 | +550 | +550 |
| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | +675 | +650 | +450 |
| Calgary Stampeders | +750 | +700 | +600 |
| Montreal Alouettes | +900 | +750 | +1200 |
Winnipeg expects to see some even shorter numbers, and the bookmakers delivered once again as June began. Bovada online sportsbook saw that +275 drop down to +250 for June. Fans and bettors are still zeroing in on Winnipeg despite their loss to Toronto in the Grey Cup last November. CFL Future Bets was not surprised by their early movement among the teams. Even MyBookie saw Winnipeg dip under +200.
One of the other teams drawing notice in the betting community is the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Hamilton began in the +750 to +1000 range during early February. Currently, Hamilton has seen a shortening as low as +450. Pundits point to Bo Levi-Mitchell and a better defensive structure. Many believe the Tiger-Cats get off to a better start and not have to play catch-up during the second half.
So, Hamilton expects to be tested right away at least. However, some numbers moved backwards. Montreal has gone from +750 to as high as +1200. For those wondering, Toronto and BC remained mostly steady in the months from February until the first week of June. Even through the CFL Draft and Free Agency period, the Argonauts and Lions did not budge much at all.
Next, CFL Future Bets focuses on taking one of those fun wagers. Placing a few dollars on Hamilton feels like a boost still. Do expect some more shifts especially if there are a few unexpected results early in the season.
Winnipeg and the CFL Future Bets opened with Winnipeg as a +275 favorite in January. Most sites like going with tried and true Winnipeg to get revenge. The wrinkle or two involves a few rogue sites dipping past the +200 mark. That was a little surprising. However, the Blue Bombers were a play or two from winning a third consecutive Grey Cup. No one would be startled if they learn from their mistakes.
One of the mistakes the Blue Bombers had in that finale was letting Toronto hang around. Do that too many times and it often comes back to haunt a team. Also, Winnipeg had a gimpy quarterback and arguably the left side of their offensive line. Now, give the Argonauts plenty of credit. Toronto found ways to gain an advantage and beat a superior team. Winnipeg seems like a team that will not make the same misjudgment twice.
Kristina is one of the best in the business for a reason. Almost every pundit lists Winnipeg as the top team and the sour taste left in their mouth from 2022 is more than enough motivation. Zach Collaros and Brady Oliveira know what needs to be done. This was a team that went 15-3 in the regular season last year. Looking at their wins over/under is interesting and thinking they can go 15-3 again is not far-fetched.
The playoffs are almost a given to go through Winnipeg once more. So, the only question comes down to this. Can the Blue Bombers exorcise the demons of 2022 and defeat whoever comes out of the East. Right now, that answer appears to be a yes. The fact that BetOnline has a number like they do feels like a gift. Yes, this is not carrot being dangled. Taking a shot on this is not fool’s gold.
CFL Future Picks asks the betting world to run from some targets. Now, as tempting as teams like Montreal, Ottawa, and even Saskatchewan can be, the answer is simply no. Do not waste your time. Here is why.
Again, Saskatchewan has become a long-term project of sorts. Now, the chances they start off 1-0 are high as they face Edmonton on June 11th. However, after that, the schedule and fortunes could quickly turn murky. Saskatchewan dropped in their numbers for good reason but worse, some experts have them as high as fifth or sixth in their early power rankings. Did they watch what occurred in 2022?
Many would be shocked if Mason Fine turns his preseason into a great regular season. Fine will be a good quarterback in this league but teams may figure out Saskatchewan. Arguably, the Roughriders almost have become too trendy as a long-shot.
For CFL Future Bets, straying away from Saskatchewan (+1600) is likely prudent because things could snowball once again. The same goes for teams like Ottawa and Montreal. Any of these teams could make the playoffs but getting deep in the postseason is questionable at best.
Some asked what about BC and Toronto. It again is hard to believe the two contenders will not find a way to challenge in their conferences. Toronto despite some losses via retirement and free agency still retain good value and can come out of the East. BC is one of those teams that might have it figured out offensively once again.
Consequently, some might bite on Toronto already but wait and see what may happen in June and July.
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