Harris remains Argos starter heading into key two-game series with Redblacks

The Toronto Argonauts head into their crucial road series versus the Ottawa Redblacks with Trevor Harris as their starter.

Veteran quarterback Ricky Ray resumed practising prior Toronto’s 42-12 Labour Day loss to Hamilton after missing nine games recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. But with Ray struggling to find consistency in his game, Harris will make an 11th straight start Saturday when Toronto (6-5) visits Ottawa (7-4).

It will be the first of two games in three weeks between the division rivals. Ottawa was scheduled to visit Rogers Centre on Oct. 6, but that contest goes at TD Place as the Toronto Blue Jays could be hosting the American League wild-card game that day.

It’s an important series for both teams as Ottawa stands second in the East Division just two points ahead of Toronto and four in front of Montreal (5-7). And with the front-running Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-4) having lost star quarterback Zach Collaros (knee), the conference is wide open.

Ottawa is the CFL’s hottest team with three straight wins and is a stellar 4-1 at home. Henry Burris, 40, is the league’s second-ranked passer with 3,298 yards and threw for 477 yards and two TDs in last weekend’s 30-27 win over Saskatchewan.

The Redblacks also lead the CFL in net offence (366.5 yards per game) and passing yards (309.5). Defensively, Ottawa is ranked first in sacks (39), second in fewest yards allowed (290.5 per game) and third in interceptions (14).

Toronto comes off the bye having dropped three straight. Harris led the Argos to an early 6-2 record but has averaged just 224 yards passing the last three games with more interceptions (four) than TDs (three).

Burris threw for 426 yards in the first meeting against Toronto — compared to 266 for Harris. But the Argos quarterback had three big TD passes to anchor the Argos’ 30-24 victory while Burris had none.

Toronto kicker/punter Swayze Waters was a huge weapon, hitting all three field goal attempts and finishing with a lofty 50.6-yard punting average. But Waters (groin) is sidelined so American rookie Michael Palardy is expected to handle the kicking chores.

A key matchup will be Ottawa’s offence facing a Toronto defence ranked last against the pass (297.1 yards per game), completions (24) and rushing TDs (11) while being tied for seventh in sacks (28). Although the Argos bent a lot in the first meeting they did manage to keep Burris out of the endzone.

Toronto has a 4-4 away from Rogers Centre — which includes a season-opening win over Edmonton in Fort McMurray, Alta., that counted as a home game — but is just 1-3 within the division. While Harris might regain his early-season form, Waters’ absence could be more telling in a tight game.

Pick — Ottawa.

Calgary Stampeders versus Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Friday night.

Calgary (9-3) edged Winnipeg (4-8) 26-25 on July 18 with Drew Willy under centre but secured a 36-8 victory Aug. 29 with Robert Marve as the starter. Matt Nichols makes a third straight start for the Bombers, completing 23-of-48 passes for 189 yards and an interception in last weekend’s 35-14 loss to Montreal. Jon Cornish, back in the Stampeders’ lineup, ran for 120 yards in the first victory over the Bombers.

Pick — Calgary.

B.C. Lions versus Edmonton Eskimos, Saturday afternoon.

A tough spot for Jonathon Jennings. With starter Travis Lulay and backup John Beck both ailing, Jennings makes his first pro start for B.C. (4-7) against the CFL’s top-ranked defence and one that had two interception return TDs in last weekend’s win over Hamilton. Edmonton (8-4) needed its stellar defence as starter Mike Reilly had more yards rushing (72) than passing (49).

Pick — Edmonton.

Montreal Alouettes versus Saskatchewan Roughriders, Sunday afternoon.

He wasn’t spectacular but Jonathan Crompton made a triumphant return last week for Montreal (5-7). Playing for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury in the season opener, Crompton was 14-of-27 passing for 181 yards and two TDs in a 35-14 win over Winnipeg. Crompton also had two picks. Veteran Kevin Glenn, in his first start with Saskatchewan (1-11) since suffering a torn pectoral muscle, threw for 227 yards and two TDs last weekend against Ottawa.

Pick — Montreal.

Last week: 3-1.

Overall: 31-21.