Eric Uribe
The historic 108th Grey Cup goes down on Sunday, December 12. It’s the 11th team teams from Hamilton and Winnipeg meet for the Canadian Football League’s Grey Cup (its version of the Super Bowl). Here’s a complete preview of the championship matchup, alongside our own betting picks for 2021 CFL Grey Cup! Read on if you want to make money betting on it this weekend.
It’s worth noting that the Grey Cup will happen in Tim Hortons Field, thus giving Hamilton home-field advantage. This location was set beforehand by the league, therefore, it’s not like the Tiger-Cats earned home-field advantage with the better record (they didn’t). Still, it’s an edge worth pointing out because this marks the first time a host team has made the Grey Cup since 2013.
Grey Cup Over/Under Betting Pick
Let’s take a gander at how the best online sportsbooks are pegging this game odds-wise. Below you’ll find the Grey Cup over/under betting line at the moment:
| Outcome |  |  |
| Over 44 points | -110 | -110 |
| Under 44 points | -110 | -110 |
These two teams did meet once during the season-opener way back in August. On their home field, Winnipeg cruised to a 19-6 victory over Hamilton. Zach Collaros was his usual efficient self, connecting with Kenny Lawler for two touchdown passes in the first hald. On the ground, the Blue Bombers controlled with the clock with 149 rushing yards on 25 carries.
Ironically, that season-opening matchup marked the first CFL game in 620 days. Of course, the gap was created by the pandemic, which got the 2020 CFL season canceled entirely. The game before that? Also Hamilton-Winnipeg, when the two sides met in the 2019 edition of the Grey Cup. Once again there, the Blue Bombers had the Tiger-Cats number, winning in even more convincing fashion, 33-12.
A few trends jump out when evaluating this third meeting. These two teams have long-running running trends of going under in point totals. Take the Blue Bombers’ last 17 games, 12 of those hit the under. Or the Tiger-Cat’s previous 19 matchups, 14 went under. Yes, those are trends — not anomalies given the large sample size of games accounted for.
So yes, we’re riding the trend and picking the under to hit. Not only because of the betting trends, but because the defensive stats support the probability of a low-scoring affair happening. Winnipeg allowed 13.4 points per game this season — the lowest in the CFL. Hamilton had the third-stingiest defense with a 17.4 points average. Those two numbers combined (30.8) is well below the game’s point total (14-point difference between the two).
Grey Cup Spread Betting Pick
| Team | | |
| Winnipeg spread (-2.5) | -110 | -110 |
| Hamilton spread (+2.5) | -110 | -110 |
The last time these two teams faced in the Grey Cup, a 29-year championship drought ended for Winnipeg. But do you know who holds the longest-running Grey Cup drought? That would be Hamilton, who has gone 22 years without lifting the championship. That desperation was worth mentioning as we evaluate what’s the better Grey Cup spread betting pick.
Here’s what the early weather forecast is shaping up for Sunday’s title matchup — high of 4ºC to low of 0ºC. No snow. So we’re looking at a game that shouldn’t be affected by the elements. That certainly bodes well for the passing game.
Knowing that, you’d have to give the Blue Bombers an immediate advantage. We mean, quarterback Collaros is a finalist for the league’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year for a reason. The winner will officially be announced on December 10, but Collaros certainly has the resume. He’s led the team with the best record (11-3) and threw 20 passing touchdowns – a CFL-high and six ahead of second-place.
The Tiger-Cats signal-caller situation isn’t nearly as clear-cut. In the East Final, usual starter Jeremiah Masoli was benched mid-game in favor of Dane Evans. The decision certainly paid off as Evans mounted a comeback against Toronto with a perfect 16-of-16 passing performance. You would think Evans would get the start versus Winnipeg, but head coach Orlondo Steinauer hasn’t officially confirmed it.
When betting on championship games, a calm and consistent presence should be celebrated. That’s what you’re getting from Winnipeg. We know what we’re getting from Collaros — elite quarterback play. But for Hamilton? We’re not entirely sure. Therefore, we’re taking the Blue Bombers to cover the spread. Again, you can’t overlook consistency with betting and Winnipeg has been the best team in the league from wire to wire.
How To Bet On CFL Grey Cup?
So what do you say — taking our betting advice with the under and Hamilton spread? Or are you fading our free picks? Hey, we won’t be bothered either way, but if you need to lock in your wagers, then you can do so at one of the online sportsbooks featured in the underneath table. Any one of them will carry up-to-the-minute odds for moneyline, ATS, and over/under bets.
While you’re at these bookmakers, be sure to look into the sign-up bonuses currently available. Through these deals, you could earn hundreds to thousands of dollars in free play right off the bat. Seriously, the free money is unlocked upon creating a player account. This money can then be used to make your CFL Grey Cup bets “on the house.” Reference the table below to get started and earn your free money right now!
