The set-up: Hamllton broke out for a 50 point win over the hapless Argos last week, but I think it has a bit of a letdown in Week 3. In all the Ti-Cats wracked up 604 total yards of offense, including three TD's from Bralon Addison. Note that this is the first game of a back-to-back home and home series between the clubs, and as such, I'm expecting much more of a defensive affair on Friday night. It's interesting to note that Hamilton has won four of the last five in this series and in those four victories, they've allowed an average of 10.5 points per game (42 in total.) Montreal won't be rolling over either, as it comes out of its bye week after a Week 1 loss to the Eskimos. Of concern for Montreal fans is that starting QB Antonio Pipkin suffered a knee injury in the loss and he's expect to miss 4 to 6 weeks. That means that Vernon Adams Jr. is now thrust into the spotlight for the Als.

The pick: The pressure is on Montreal to step up defensively with its No. 1 QB sidelined with injury. There's no way the visitors can turn this into a "track meet" and expect to hang with the high-flying home side. So with Montreal trying to control the pace of this one from the outset, I do indeed expect this total to sneak below this sky-high number once it's all said and done.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats/Montreal Allouetes UNDER

10* play