Argonauts.ca staff
The Argonauts will play their first regular season game in Ontario this week, when the team travels to Hamilton to square off with the rival Tiger-Cats. There’s no shortage of intrigue any time the QEW rivals face off, but this week’s matchup is especially interesting for a couple of different reasons. From former teammates going head-to-head, to an Argonaut rookie returning home, here are the five storylines to watch in week 6.
Quarterback Duel:
Monday’s game will be the first ever matchup between Trevor Harris and Zach Collaros, both of whom are understudies of Ricky Ray. When Ray was injured in 2013, Collaros led the Argos on a four-game winning streak, keeping the team in contention through what could have been a devastating blow to the Argos’ postseason hopes. Collaros joined the Tiger-Cats in 2014 free agency, and helped guide the team to a Grey Cup berth in his first full season as a CFL starter. Harris’ trajectory has mimicked his former teammates’ thus far in 2015, leading the Argonauts to a 3-1 record while Ray recovers from shoulder surgery. Dating back to 2014, Harris holds a 4-1 record as a starter for the Argonauts while leading the CFL in touchdown passes, completion percentage and QB rating in that span.
Devin Smith:
While much of the noise about the Argos’ secondary has been focused on the team’s two rookie corners, A.J. Jefferson and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, halfback Devin Smith is proving hard to ignore. The rookie out of Wisconsin has recorded two interceptions in the Argos last two games, after recording a pick-six in a pre-season victory over the Alouettes. Smith is now tied for the CFL lead in interceptions while recording 18 defensive tackles, ranking second on the Argos and top ten among CFL DBs despite only playing four games.
Close Quarters:
If recent history tells us anything, Monday’s matchup should be a close game. All three of the games between the Argonauts and Tiger-Cats in 2014 were decided by two points or less, and the teams finished just one game apart in the standings. Five of the last seven matchups between the two squads have been within six points, and the Ticats hold a slight advantage at 4-3 in the Mianovich/Austin eras. This season, just one game separates the Ticats and Argos, and a Hamilton win in week six would draw the two teams into a tie with the Ottawa REDBLACKS for first place in the East Division.
Waud Returns Home:
Argos DL Daryl Waud grew up in Hamilton as a die-hard Tiger-Cats fan, but his first visit to Tim Hortons Field is as an enemy Argonaut. Toronto’s second round selection in the 2015 draft, Waud has earned consistent reps at defensive tackle, and is fresh off his first career CFL sack in last Friday’s win at B.C. A large contingent of Waud’s family and friends are expected at Monday’s game in Hamilton, providing the Argos rookie with extra incentive to perform in what is likely the most memorable games of his career to date.
Trend Busters:
Heading into last week’s matchup against the Argonauts, B.C. Lions QB Travis Lulay held an 18-1 record at B.C. Place. Despite his solid track record at home, the Argos snatched the victory, succeeding where so many other teams failed. This week the Argos travel to Hamilton, where the Tiger-Cats hold a perfect 7-0 record at Tim Hortons Field through their first season in the new digs. Can the Argonauts buck the trend once again and hand the Tiger-Cats their first loss in the new stadium?