Don’t look now, but the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are now the hottest team in the CFL’s East Division.
Winners of their last two games, against division rivals Toronto and Ottawa, the Ticats have not only picked themselves up off the mat, they are starting to take some swings at the opposition.
After losing their first eight games of 2017, fans called for changes and the Cats made two key switches — replacing Kent Austin with June Jones as head coach and naming Jeremiah Masoli the starting QB in place of Zach Collaros.
The changes have paid dividends. Jones seems to be leading a much more calm and focused group on the sidelines while Masoli has added a spark and some diversity to the offence.
But the cynic in me says the Ticats have beaten two very average football teams in the Argos and Redblacks, and just barely. Then again, a win is a win, and at this point, Hamilton will take two points however possible.
On deck this week for 2-8 Hamilton is 5-5 Saskatchewan who will visit Tim Hortons Field on Friday night and may do so with an ailing Kevin Glenn.
If the Tiger-Cats can beat the Riders for their third consecutive victory, they will be well-positioned to make a legitimate run for a playoff spot.
Lose against the Roughriders, and all the good this team has accomplished over the last week will evaporate.
Hamilton has very little room for error, week in and week out. That’s the case when you have zero to show for your efforts for virtually half the year.