Game Details
Date/Location: Saturday, October 4 / BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario
Kickoff Time: 3:00 PM ET, 12:00 PM PT
Channel: TSN, CTV, CFL+
Odds
Spread: Hamilton -1 (-110), Toronto +1 (-110)
Moneyline: Hamilton -120, Toronto +100
Over/Under: 57 (Over -110, Under -110)
Overview
The QEW rivalry writes its final regular season chapter for 2025 on Saturday afternoon as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats take on the Toronto Argonauts at BMO Field. Hamilton enters Week 18 with a 9-6 record and controls its own destiny in the race for first place in the East Division. The Tiger-Cats are looking to bounce back from a demoralizing 40-3 loss to Winnipeg in Week 17, their worst defeat since a 60-1 shellacking by Calgary on July 29, 2017.
Toronto sits at 5-10 and desperately needs a win to keep its fading playoff hopes alive. The Argonauts are coming off a 27-22 road loss to BC and have dropped two straight games. The team’s last four contests have been decided by five points or less, with Toronto going 2-2 in those tight battles.
The season series stands at 1-1 after Hamilton dominated 51-38 in Week 5, while Toronto claimed a narrow 35-33 victory in Week 13. With a win, Hamilton can increase its division lead to four points with just three weeks remaining in the regular season.
Key Players
Nick Arbuckle (QB) – The Toronto quarterback has completed 364 of 502 passes for 4,357 yards with 26 touchdowns and 15 interceptions this season. Arbuckle carries a career 2-4 record against the Tiger-Cats but has thrown for 691 yards and five touchdowns in two meetings this year.
Kevin Mital (WR) – Toronto’s leading receiver has hauled in 83 catches for 729 yards and three touchdowns. Mital has been particularly effective against Hamilton with 15 receptions in two games against the Tiger-Cats this season.
Spencer Brown (RB) – The running back has rushed for 234 yards on 55 carries with one touchdown while adding 26 catches for 208 yards. Brown has just 55 yards on 25 carries over the last three games, a concerning trend for the Argonauts ground attack.
Bo Levi Mitchell (QB) – Hamilton’s veteran signal-caller has completed 343 of 499 passes for 4,194 yards with 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Mitchell has been excellent against Toronto this season, throwing for 737 yards and eight touchdowns in two starts.
Kenny Lawler (WR) – The Tiger-Cats’ top receiving threat has recorded 69 catches for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lawler has been a nightmare for Toronto with 15 catches, 330 yards and five touchdowns against the Argonauts this season.
Greg Bell (RB) – Bell has rushed for 749 yards on 137 carries with four touchdowns while catching 50 passes for 371 yards and one score. The running back has been dominant lately with 474 rushing yards on 70 carries over his last four outings, averaging 118.5 yards per game and 6.8 yards per attempt.
Keys to the Game
Playing With Urgency – Toronto must get off to a fast start to avoid a three-game losing streak that would effectively end its playoff hopes. The Argonauts are running out of time and need to establish momentum early.
Establishing the Run Game – Spencer Brown has struggled to find running room lately, and whether it’s Brown or Deonta McMahon, someone needs to step up on the ground to take pressure off Nick Arbuckle and keep Hamilton’s defence honest.
Limiting Bo Levi Mitchell – Hamilton’s quarterback has thrown for 300-plus yards nine times this season and carved up Toronto for 737 yards and eight touchdowns in two meetings. The Argonauts secondary, which has six interceptions in its last two games, must find a way to disrupt Mitchell’s rhythm.
Injury Report
Depth Chart
Score Predictions
Toronto Argonauts 28 – Hamilton Tiger-Cats 29
