Posted at 10:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Edmonton will have every reason to expect Hamilton to fold once the game gets uncomfortable. That's where we disagree. The Ticats have nothing to lose here. They can play aggressively, take their shots and make Edmonton prove it can put the game away. The Elks may control portions of the game, but controlling a game and covering eight and a half points are two completely different hobbies. We only need Hamilton to hang around.

The other side of this wager is the psychology. Edmonton is being asked to beat a desperate opponent by more than a touchdown, and the number assumes Hamilton's recent problems continue without interruption. That's a dangerous assumption. The Ticats have already demonstrated some fight after getting buried early, and on the road they can play this one with the mentality of a team that has absolutely nothing to protect. Meanwhile, Edmonton gets the privilege of being the team everybody expects to take care of business. Congratulations. Here's the pressure.

This smells like one of those classic CFL games where the favorite looks comfortable for a while, the home crowd starts planning the postgame celebration, and suddenly somebody realizes Hamilton is still hanging around. Eight and a half points gives us plenty of room for that scenario. We don't need the Ticats to become Grey Cup material overnight. We need them to make Edmonton sweat for four quarters, and that's a very reasonable assignment at this number.

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