After 23 weeks of the regular season and playoffs, the 112th Gray Cup is finally here. Canada will gather in Winnipeg for the national showcase at Princess Auto Stadium, where the league's two best teams will battle it out.
While the field is all set, our annual selection competition is a different story. Vancouver reporter JC Abbott took home the title of our top pick, while Regina reporter Brendan McGuire stitched up the anti-turn belt a few weeks ago. However, below are our picks for the biggest day in Canadian football.
Sunday, November 16: Saskatchewan Roughriders (-3.5) on Montreal Alouettes at 6:00 pm EST
The Roughriders are favorites in the house their rivals built after posting the best regular-season record in the CFL and eliminating the BC Lions in the Western final last week. Controversial decisions at the end of the game proved that head coach Corey Mays has made defense the hallmark of this team with a relentless passing game and secondary attack led by CFL interceptions leader Tevon Campbell. The team will still be in attack without the services of top receiver KeySean Johnsonbut have a next man up mentality and amazing depth and Aju Aju is about to interfere. Trevor Harris was doesn't want to discuss retirement this week as he looks to win his first Gray Cup as a starter at the age of 39, although it makes sense. that this game will define his legacy.
The Alouettes had a much more difficult journey to Manitoba, marked by incredible highs and desperate lows. This team goes just like defender Davis Alexanderand they remain undefeated in the nine games he has started this year – regular season and playoffs. The problem has been keeping him on the field as he battles a hamstring injury that been tormenting him since April. There is no doubt whether Alexander will start this game after a week of rehabilitation and practiceBut How much will it affect his mobility? remains in doubt. If he is limited, the pressure will fall on a talented defense led by linebacker Tyrese Beverett and Homegrown safety Marc Antoine-Decoy. The unit is hoping to bring back defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson. as it remains a game time solution.
Montreal has been to this stage before, winning this game in 2023. As for Saskatchewan, it has been 12 years since the team reached the Gray Cup game. The Alouettes have eight CFL titles in their history, while the Riders have just four.
ABBOTT: Davis Alexander has looked good in practice all week, but I'm skeptical of his ability to evade the Saskatchewan defensive line for 60 minutes. The Riders come into this week with exceptional, unwavering focus and are poised to claim their fifth Gray Cup in franchise history.
Directly: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
Most Valuable Player: QB Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan.
Most Valuable Canadian: D.B. Tevon Campbell, Saskatchewan.
BALLANTINE: Saskatchewan's record in Gray Cup games is abysmal. They have won the fewest Gray Cups of any team in the league. The gap against the Lions is closing this year as Davis Alexander goes down for the first time. Expect Brett Lauter to have a renaissance day and finish the season as a champion.
Directly: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
Most Valuable Player: QB Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan.
Most Valuable Canadian: C. Brett Lauter, Saskatchewan.
SPICY: Not only are the Riders the Argos' opponents in the championship game (4-15), but they're facing a team that has won its last three games in the Big Game, led by a quarterback who has never lost a game as a starter. Moreover, Montreal has an advantage in experience: 15 players who have played in the Gray Cup to Saskatchewan's 8 players. Even if Davis Alexander isn't 100 percent ready, he'll still make enough explosive plays to get the job done.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
Most Valuable Player: REC Tyson Philpot, Montreal.
Most Valuable Canadian: REC Tyson Philpot, Montreal.
GASSON: As far as anyone can tell, Davis Alexander appears to be as good as he can be, all things considered. Saskatchewan has achieved a lot this year; this is perhaps the deepest and most balanced team in the league. However, with Alexander at the center, the Als have a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that is difficult to quantify.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
Most Valuable Player: QB Davis Alexander, Montreal.
Most Valuable Canadian: D. L. Isaac Adeyemi-Bergland, Montreal.
HERRERA-VERGARA: Davis Alexander appears to be ready to go. He exudes confidence and the team follows him no matter what he does. This Riders team is very good, Corey Mays is a great coach, and it will be a battle. I feel like Alexander will get over this eventually.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
Most Valuable Player: QB Davis Alexander, Montreal.
Most Valuable Canadian: REC Tyson Philpot, Montreal.
HODGE: This tournament has the potential to be the best Gray Cup in a long time, and the winner could easily be Saskatchewan. However, earlier this week I said I would pick the Alouettes if Davis Alexander's hamstring looked good, and so far it has. We saw how Alexander cursed after a six-meter run – imagine how much he will curse after he lifts the Gray Cup.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
Most Valuable Player: QB Davis Alexander, Montreal.
Most Valuable Canadian: REC Tyson Philpot, Montreal.
HOSKINS: This should be a Gray Cup classic with both teams boasting excellent performances on both sides of the ball. There is a story growing around Davis Alexander, and I see it growing this week. The defense is comparable, but the QB's mobility should be a factor if his hamstring holds up.
Directly: Montreal. Anti-spread: Montreal.
Most Valuable Player: QB Davis Alexander, Montreal.
Most Valuable Canadian: D.L. Isaac Adeyemi-Bergland, Montreal.
KLEIN: This will be a very close game and there won't be much separation between these two teams. The difference for me is that AJ Ouellette came up against a run defense that allowed Greg Bell to gain six yards on a carry in the East finale. Davis Alexander is full of energy, but even when healthy, Saskatchewan's passing game is difficult to handle. They don't shy away from the big games that the Als excel at.
Directly: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Montreal.
Most Valuable Player: RB AJ Ouellette, Saskatchewan.
Most Valuable Canadian: REC Samuel Emilus, Saskatchewan.
McGuire: I've been picking Montreal all week on the basis that they don't have a plan to take down Davis Alexander. However, the Riders did have Davis and the Alouettes on the field as recently as Week 11 of 2024, when Saskatchewan missed four field goals, including one that came back to the house in Montreal's 27-24 win. That's the plan for Saskatchewan to win Sunday's Gray Cup.
Directly: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
Most Valuable Player: D.B. Roland Milligan Jr., Saskatchewan.
Most Valuable Canadian: REC Samuel Emilus, Saskatchewan.
THOMAS: I expect it to come down to the final possession as there is virtually nothing separating these two teams. Saskatchewan's defense is a little better and is the reason I took the Riders to win the 2025 Gray Cup. The Als let Greg Bell pass them last week and AJ Ouellette took notice. Saskatchewan wins by an even margin.
Directly: Saskatchewan. Anti-spread: Saskatchewan.
Most Valuable Player: QB Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan.
Most Valuable Canadian: REC Samuel Emilus, Saskatchewan.
RESULTS STRAIGHT: Saskatchewan 5, Montreal 5.
TOTAL BY SPREAD: Montreal 6, Saskatchewan 4.
Records 2025 (straight)
Abbott – 59-26
HOSKINS – 56-29
McGwire – 56-29
HODGE – 55-30
HERRERA-VERGARA – 55-30
KLEIN – 53-32
BALLANTINE – 52-33
THOMAS – 51-34
GASSON – 48-37
SHARP – 47-38
2025 records (against spread)
McGwire – 53-32
ABbott – 45–40
THOMAS – 45-40
BALLANTINE – 44-41
HERRERA-VERGARA – 44-41
KLEIN – 44-41
GASSON – 41-44
SPICY – 40-45
HODGE – 39–46
HOSKINS – 38–47
