The 2026 Canadian Football League regular season has concluded, setting the stage for the semifinal round on Saturday, October 31. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will visit the Toronto Argonauts in a crossover playoff game, while the Saskatchewan Roughriders travel to face the BC Lions.
Expert Analysis from Emory Hunt
SportsLine analyst Emory Hunt, a former running back at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and founder of Football Gameplan, has posted a 132-111-2 record on NFL bets over the past three seasons and a 43-37 mark on CFL spread picks this season. He offers his best bets for both semifinal matchups.
Toronto Argonauts -3.5 vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Hunt favors the Argonauts to cover the 3.5-point spread at home. He notes that quarterback Chad Kelly's new contract extension has created positive momentum in Toronto. While Winnipeg showed championship resilience to reach the playoffs, Hunt believes Toronto's consistent passing attack will create separation late in a game he expects to start as a defensive battle.
BC Lions -6.5 vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Hunt backs the Lions to cover a 6.5-point spread. BC has been the league's hottest team down the stretch after a slow start to the season, while Saskatchewan sputtered toward the finish line and needed help to qualify. Hunt anticipates the Lions will maintain their intensity from start to finish in a rivalry game with no love lost between the clubs.
