Just four teams remain in the race for the 2026 Grey Cup as the Canadian Football League reaches its Eastern and Western Finals. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers advanced to face the Montreal Alouettes in the East, while the BC Lions will meet the Edmonton Elks in the West. Both championship games are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7.
Expert Analysis
SportsLine expert Emory Hunt, a former running back at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and founder of Football Gameplan, has provided his best bets for the finals. Hunt holds a 132-111-2 record on NFL bets over the past three seasons and is 44-38 on CFL spread picks this season.
Eastern Final: Montreal Alouettes vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Hunt favors Montreal -8.5 points. He notes the Alouettes have looked like the best team in the CFL throughout the season and managed the latter part of the regular season well. Hunt believes Montreal's offensive balance will withstand Winnipeg's ground game, and that the Bombers lack the passing attack to keep pace if their running game is contained.
Western Final: BC Lions vs. Edmonton Elks
Hunt selects BC -1.5 points. The Lions enter on a high after rallying to defeat the defending champion Saskatchewan Roughriders in the semifinal. However, Hunt cautions that the emotional and physical expenditure in that game could benefit the well-rested Elks. The season series between the two teams has featured tight, low-scoring contests, and Hunt expects another close game that could extend Edmonton's surprising postseason run.
