Our Record Last Week: 0-3 (0%)
Our Final Record Overall: 38-34 (52.8%)

In review of our pre-season standings predictions and subsequent mid-season check-up we have some things to gloat about and some things to answer for.

What We Got Correct

Our pre-season predictions selected the correct three teams in the West to make the playoffs. In the East, we picked Montreal for first place correctly. At the mid-way point, we adjusted our East predictions to nail the final finishing order of Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg. We made no adjustments at the mid-way point in the West, so again correctly picked the teams but not their finishing order.

Our major accomplishment was picking the Edmonton Eskimos to miss the playoffs from the start of the season. We also correctly predicted that there would be no crossover for playoff positions this year.

What We Got Wrong

Our pre-season predictions incorrectly picked Calgary for first in the West, Saskatchewan for second, and B.C. for third. This was never in danger of happening all year, although Calgary did have a chance at first until late in the year. In the East, we mistakenly picked Hamilton for second place, ahead of Toronto. At the halfway point, we stuck with our West predictions, despite the standings, and again misplaced B.C. from first to third.

A major oversight was stating the rewritten No Yards rules would have the most affect on the league this year. In fact, the new return blocking rules affected the game the most, reducing kick return touchdowns and yardage, resulting directly in a huge scoring drop from previous years.

Conclusion

Our experiment in publishing our predictions this year is now over. We are reviewing the experience and weekly previews may return in the future in an adjusted form.

The following awards were handed out in a ceremony before this broadcast.

Most Predictions Accurate Within 2 Points of Both Home and Visiting Team Scores

Tie: BestGuess and pigskin_chucker (5)

Most Perfect Predictions

Tie: Davin Bull Dogs and pigskin_chucker (1)

Most Fantasy Point Games Over 10

Davin Bull Dogs (4)
Honourable Mention: BestGuess (3)

Most One Fantasy Point Games

FaragellisAverageJoes (15)
Honourable Mention: bigmc returns (14)

Most Two Fantasy Point Games

Green GG Machine (20)

Biggest Month Award

BestGuess (96 points in October)
Honourable Mentions: pigskin_chucker and WASC (94 points in September)

Smallest Month Award

Green GG Machine (33 points in June)

Biggest Week Award

BestGuess (36 points in Week 18)

Smallest Week Award

Green GG Machine (5 points in Week 2)

Biggest Game Award

pigskin_chucker (16 points)

Most Picks of 21-20 for Home Team

A sign, but not a certainty, that the deadline was missed and the default picks were used.
Davin Bull Dogs (11)
Honourable Mentions: WASC (8) and BestGuess (7)

Position All Default Scores Would Have Finished In

Tied for 3rd Place with 359 Points.
Finished first in June and first or tied for first in a number of weeks.

Best Team Name

FaragellisAverageJoes

Best Team Name Taken Off a CFL Fanboy’s Tattoo

CFL4ever

Best Team Name Based on a Former CFL Coach

FaragellisAverageJoes

Best Team Name to Pay Homage to the Saskatchewan Roughriders

Green GG Machine

Best Use of a Dog Breed in a Team Name

Davin Bull Dogs

Most Predictions That ‘Riders Would Lose

FaragellisAverageJoes (11)
Honourable Mention: Green GG Machine (9)

Least Predictions That ‘Riders Would Lose

bigmc (0)

Most Correct Predictions That ‘Riders Would Lose

FaragellisAverageJoes (6)

What is Old, Green, Smells Like Dirty Socks and Lives in the Basement? Award

Green GG Machine, who moved into the basement the second week and never left. Anyone know of a good pest exterminator?

The Diamond Dave Award

In honour of Diamond Dave, who finished so far back in a contest one year, we could not find him afterwards.
Green GG Machine

Have your award ideas? Leave your comment here with your fan choice award nominations.

CFL4ever, coached by Bill Maguire, finished with 364 points, four points ahead of second place. Bill takes home $56 for the first place finish.

Finishing in a close second place is WASC, coached by last year’s winner Greg Kreutzer. Greg takes home $16. WASC made a valiant effort to make up ground on the leader, but after narrowing the lead to two points, he was unable to make up the final ground in the last two weeks.

In a photo finish, third position was taken by the Davin Bull Dogs, coached by Brent Gessner. Brent takes home $8 but was oh, so close to more. The Bull Dogs, WASC and BestGuess all traded positions from second to fourth the final two weeks. In the end, the Bull Dogs had a better final week to finish three points ahead of BestGuess and only one point out of a share of second place. This is the second year in a row Davin Bull Dogs has finished in third position.

The complete official results are as follows:
CFL4ever – 364 – $56 (coach: Bill Maguire)
WASC – 360 – $16 (coach: Greg Kreutzer)
Davin Bull Dogs – 359 – $8 (coach: Brent Gessner)
BestGuess – 356
pigskin_chucker – 347
FaragallisAverageJoes – 346
bigmc returns – 323
Green GG Machine – 296

Winners, please contract us at Overtime Central to specify your wishes regarding your winnings. We prefer that any winnings be paid out after any outstanding balances are paid. Account balances will be up to date by end of day Saturday, November 4, 2006.

Thanks to all participants for making this the closest and most exciting CFL Pool contest ever. Be sure to sign up for the Road to Grey Cup contest and check back next year for more CFL contests.

BestGuess, coached by Cindy Kreutzer, finished with a total of 96 points for September. That total, out of a possible 206 points, equals a 46.60% pick accuracy rate, our highest segment percentage this season. Close behind this month was FaragallisAverageJoes, who fell short by 7 points.

Cindy wins her choice of either a $5 gift certificate at Cineplex Odeon/Galaxy Theatres or a $2 credit on her account. Cindy has until November 6th to email Overtime Central regarding her choice in order to collect her prize.

Our Record Last Week: 2-2 (50%)
Our Record Overall: 38-31 (55.1%)

Byes: Hamilton, Calgary

Saskatchewan at Edmonton (TSN)

Eskimos: 6-11-0 Last 6 2-4-0
Roughriders: 9-8-0 Last 6 3-3-0

Saskatchewan finally beats the Eskimos, even though it is a mean-nothing game.

Prediction: Saskatchewan 25 Edmonton 20

Montreal at Toronto (CBC/RDS)

Alouettes: 9-8-0 Last 6 2-4-0
Argonauts: 10-7-0 Last 6 4-2-0

Apparently, the Alouettes took a week off to get to this game. The plan does not work when the Argonauts put in the best lacklustre performance of two teams to take first in the East.

Prediction: Toronto 27 Montreal 24

Winnipeg at B.C. (TSN)

Blue Bombers: 9-8-0 Last 6 4-2-0
Lions: 12-5-0 Last 6 4-2-0

B.C. fits in another scrimmage before a week’s rest and the Western final. Unfortunately, against the stronger-than-last-week’s competition, the second place orientated Blue Bombers it will not be enough.

Prediction: Winnipeg 29 B.C. 28

Our Record Last Week: 1-3 (25%)
Our Record Overall: 36-29 (55.4%)

Saskatchewan at Toronto(TSN)

Argonauts: 10-6-0 Last 6 5-1-0
Roughriders: 8-8-0 Last 6 3-3-0

This is an important game for Toronto, but a mean-nothing game for Saskatchewan who can finish nowhere else but third in the West. Toronto at home, winners in eight of their last nine, should take this one to lock up first in the East, making next week’s match up in Montreal pointless.

Prediction: Toronto 30 Saskatchewan 22

Edmonton at Montreal (CBC/RDS)

Eskimos: 5-11-0 Last 6 2-4-0
Alouettes: 9-7-0 Last 6 2-4-0

Edmonton will be playing all the third-stringers now that their playoff hopes are gone. Montreal is still fighting for positioning in the East. Do the math. Unless the Alouettes are surprised by the play of the Eskimo rookies, take Montreal.

Prediction: Montreal 33 Edmonton 18

Calgary at Winnipeg (TSN)

Stampeders: 10-7-0 Last 6 3-3-0
Blue Bombers: 8-8-0 Last 6 3-3-0

Calgary is secure in a second place finish in the West, while Winnipeg still can fight for a home playoff game. Expect a less than motivated Calgary squad to be upset on the road.

Prediction: Winnipeg 29 Calgary 25

Hamilton at B.C. (TSN)

Tiger-Cats: 4-13-0 Last 6 2-4-0
Lions: 11-5-0 Last 6 4-2-0

Hamilton giving starts to backups for evaluation and a strong B.C. club who will not let up under Wally Buono spells a 14th and final loss for the Ti-Cats this season. I cannot see any other outcome to this game than a Lions win.

Prediction: B.C. 38 Hamilton 22

Our Record Last Week: 3-0 (100%)
Our Record Overall: 35-26 (57.4%)

Montreal at Saskatchewan (TSN/RDS)

Alouettes: 9-6-0 Last 6 2-4-0
Roughriders: 7-8-0 Last 6 3-3-0

Notable injuries:
Montreal – WR Sylvain Girard, WR Ezra Landry, DB Matthieu Proulx, LB Ryan Folk, OL Dave Mudge, CB Darryl Crutchfield, RB Mike Vilimek, DB Clint Kent, SB Ben Cahoon
Saskatchewan – DB Scott Gordon, FB Cory Hathaway, LB Mike McCullough, DL Marcus Adams, WR Jamal Richardson, WR Ibrahim Tounkara

In this rematch, many factors have to be considered. First, the conditions will be much colder in Regina than last Monday in Montreal. Advantage Saskatchewan. Fan support may be weak at Taylor Field after two losses and a game on a cold Friday night. Advantage Montreal. Alouettes receiver Ben Cahoon is not likely to play. Advantage Saskatchewan. Cahoon was the least of the ‘Riders problems last week. Advantage Montreal. Montreal dominated last week’s blow out. Advantage Montreal. The ‘Riders, blown out last week, have pride and a familiar foe to get back on track. Advantage Saskatachewan. In the end, take Montreal in a much closer game, with the ‘Riders unable to regain the lead in a critical home game.

Prediction: Montreal 21 Saskatchewan 20

Toronto at Edmonton (CBC)

Argonauts: 8-6-0 Last 6 5-1-0
Eskimos: 5-10-0 Last 6 2-4-0

Notable Injuries:
Toronto – QB Eric Crouch, WR Shockmain Davis, WR David Azzi
Edmonton – DB Reggie Durden, LB Steven Marsh, DB William Loftus, DB Jason Nugent, DB Kelly Wiltshire, WR Richard Alston, DB Roosevelt Williams

In the next rematch, Edmonton will know the night before whether Saskatchewan put another nail in their playoff-hopes coffin. Either way they will be playing for their lives on home turf. After last week’s loss, the Eskimos will need to find another way to stay close as it is likely that the Argonaut defence will be able to shut down their running game after reviewing last week’s film. The Argos could take another week off as they did on their trip to Calgary, but with a tight position race in the East, do not expect that to happen. Running the ball with Williams and Avery, the Argos will provide an offence suitable for the weather. Take the Argos in a similar score to last week.

Prediction: Toronto 28 Edmonton 24

Winnipeg at Hamilton (TSN)

Blue Bombers: 7-8-0 Last 6 2-4-0
Tiger-Cats: 4-12-0 Last 6 2-4-0

Notable injuries:
Winnipeg – OL Dan Goodspeed, WR Kwame Cavil, OL Matthew Sheridan, OL Mike Abou-Mechrek
Hamilton – OL Pascal Cheron, RB Josh Ranek, DB Sandy Beveridge, DE Tim Cheatwood, OL George Hudson, DB Airabin Justin

Both teams are coming off bye weeks, with the Ti-Cats just playing out the string. Hamilton should have RB Corey Holmes back in the lineup and their break would be a perfect opportunity to set their goals for their final games. If QB Jason Maas plays solid, mistake-free football they should be in the game. It will be Winnipeg’s to lose if the Bombers do not come out in form. Take the Ti-Cats likely and they will bite you. The Bomber motivation comes from trying to secure a home playoff game, but I think a long rest and being unprepared for Hamilton’s intensity will leave them short.

Prediction: Hamilton 25 Winnipeg 22

B.C. at Calgary (TSN)

Lions: 11-4-0 Last 6 5-1-0
Stampeders: 9-7-0 Last 6 3-3-0

Notable injuries:
B.C. – WR Tony Simmons, QB Dave Dickenson, LB Jamall Johnson
Calgary – OL Riley Clayton, WR Ron Johnson

After a drubbing in a first place showdown last week in B.C., the Stampeders did a lot less talking this week. On their side this week is home field advantage and another chance at their West division rivals. Expect some intensity from the Stamps from all players on the field as coach Tom Higgins will not let this team be unfocused again. While a win will not get them first place or even closer to it, it will send a message to B.C. who they expect to meet in the playoffs. The Lions will start QB Buck Pierce again and do not expect them to miss a beat. Their true test will be meeting the intensity of the Stampeders that they did not see last week. Based on their confidence and talent, I expect the Lions to take another against the Stamps.

Prediction: B.C. 27 Calgary 25

Our Record Last Week: 1-3 (25%)
Our Record Overall: 32-26 (55.1%)

Byes: Hamilton, Winnipeg

Calgary at B.C. (TSN)

Stampeders: 9-6-0 Last 6 4-2-0
Lions: 10-4-0 Last 6 5-1-0

Notable injuries:
Calgary – OL Riley Clayton, WR Ron Johnson
B.C. – WR Tony Simmons, QB Dave Dickenson, QB Buck Pierce

The Battle for the West sees these two teams collide in back-to-back matchups, with the one that prevails in the series taking the driver seat for first place in the West Division. Calgary faces a tough B.C. team at home while their own road record is lacking. The Lions have quarterback problems with both Dave Dickenson and Buck Pierce not likely to play banged up. However, Jarious Jackson has proven his ability in running the Lion offence. Calgary, two points behind B.C., needs both wins so will want a strong game out of their defence and QB Henry Burris to get back on track. Under the dome, I expect a high scoring affair, but I expect B.C. to prevail.

Prediction: B.C. 38 Calgary 37

Saskatchewan at Montreal (CBC/RDS)

Roughriders: 7-7-0 Last 6 4-2-0
Alouettes: 8-6-0 Last 6 1-5-0

Notable injuries:
Saskatchewan – QB Marcus Crandell, DB Scott Gordon, FB Cory Hathaway, LB Mike McCullough, DL Marcus Adams, WR Jamal Richardson
Montreal – WR Sylvain Girard, WR Ezra Landry, DB Matthieu Proulx, LB Ryan Folk, OL Dave Mudge, CB Darryl Crutchfield, FB Mike Vilimek, CB Clint Kent, DE R-Kal Truluck

Alouettes’ coach Don Matthews stepped down this week with GM Jim Popp taking over the coaching duties. This Thanksgiving Day matchup is followed immediately by a return match in Regina on Friday. After breaking their losing streak last week, the Alouettes will be looking to use this emotional departure as motivation the rest of the season. Saskatchewan has a poor record in Montreal, winning there only twice in the last 10 years. The ‘Riders do need to get on track and there is a sense of urgency as the number of games remaining dwindles. Losing games they should not, the ‘Riders want to start a winning streak going into the playoffs and defeat teams they feel they are better than. Montreal’s close win last week may have been more of a fluke against a struggling Winnipeg who were caught off-guard with some trick plays and turned the ball over. Based on Montreal’s dominance at home against the prairie squad, take the Alouettes.

Prediction: Montreal 27 Saskatchewan 24

Edmonton at Toronto (CBC)

Eskimos: 5-9-0 Last 6 2-4-0
Argonauts: 7-6-0 Last 6 5-1-0

Notable Injuries:
Edmonton – DB Reggie Durden, LB Steven Marsh, DB William Loftus, DB Jason Nugent, DB Kelly Wiltshire, WR Richard Alston, DB Roosevelt Williams
Toronto – QB Eric Crouch, WR Shockmain Davis, WR David Azzi

Both teams are coming off uplifting wins last week. Edmonton keeping their playoff hopes alive with a victory in Regina and Toronto defeating the Stampeders at home to keep pace in the East. Toronto is at home again this week and may possibly experiment with RB‘s John Avery and Ricky Williams in the same backfield. This may provide some interest for fans, but Toronto’s keys will be a strong defensive performance against Ricky Ray and their receivers hanging onto the ball. Edmonton has been in many tight games this year, and the key to coming out on top is clock management. Do not give Ricky Ray the opportunity for a game winning drive late in the game. The Argos ball control type offence should be able to accomplish this.

Prediction: Toronto 28 Edmonton 24

pigskin_chucker, coached by Jon Fedyk, and WASC, coached by Greg Kreutzer, finished with a total of 94 points for September. That total, out of a possible 290 points, equals a 32.41% pick accuracy rate. Close behind this month was CFL4Ever, who fell short by 8 points.

Since we cannot split a Ciniplex Odeon gift certificate, Jon and Greg each win a $2 credit on their accounts. Jon and Greg have until October 9th to email Overtime Central to confirm their prize.

1. For all the readers out there, will you reveal your identity? I am the playmaker, the gamebreaker, the greatest of all time. That should make it obvious to all. [Ed. - So you are Terrell Owens or Ricky Henderson? I'm pretty sure you are Jon Fedyk, Overtime Central commissioner and site owner, who hardly qualifies as great.]
2. You have some of the lamest team names in history. I mean, really, pigskin_chucker? Please. Third and Goal!? Get some better football cliches. And Fade to Black and 50 Percent have nothing to do with football. Is there a question there? [Ed. - Yeah. You stink.]
3. Which CFL team is your favourite? I like them all except Edmonton and Winnipeg, but I definitely cheer for the ‘Riders. [Ed. - Yeah we don't like those other teams either, and throw Calgary and B.C. into that mix.]
4. You are supposed to be such a football expert, yet you have never won any football contest at Overtime Central. Are you overrated? Who said I was a football expert? I’ve never been good at any fantasy sports, despite my efforts. [Ed. - You admit to making an effort? It looks otherwise.]
5. As a contestant and administrator you have had ample opportunity to cheat and push yourself up some positions. Yet based on the final standings this does not seem likely. Are you that bad that your cheating can only push yourself to the bottom to middle of the pack? Whoa, whoa whoa! Let’s back off the cheating accusations. I have email record of all my picks. Anyway, I really am that bad. [Ed. - I can attest to that.]
6. What is your biggest downfall as a fantasy sports coach/GM? I cannot separate fact from fiction when it comes to predicting results for teams or players I have affection for.
7. You are accused of including many inside jokes in your coach interviews. How do you defend yourself? Let me start by saying Clarency’s house is both foul territory and out-of-bounds. If you stop rocking the chair I will hit you with this broom. And I am not selling tickets for Leboldus Notes. [Ed. - Huh? We think he's having a breakdown.]
8. Your athletic skill and good looks should have taken you far in life, yet you wallow in obscurity. What was your first bad break? Probably my face when I got between a sibbling rivalry and got pancaked on the football field. Look away, I’m… I’m hideous. [Ed. - Thankfully this was a telephone interview.]
9. Your late season runs are stuff of legends at the Overtime Central Home Office. Is your plan to pour it on during the stretch run? By the end of the season I’ve got the winners and losers figured out. So, yes, we do have a stronger second half usually. Staying within striking distance is the hard part. [Ed. - So you start the cheating in the second half?]
10. You are four points behind second place (prior to the start of Week 16). Will you be able to eke out 5 points over second place in the last five weeks to increase your winnings? We are shooting for first place. [Ed. - Make up 35 points? Don't Stop Believing]