Last Sunday,  Montreal clobbered B.C. Lions in the Eastern final before more than 52,000 in the Big O while the Roughriders dumped Calgary Stampeders in the Western final.

The Saskatchewan club, led by quarterback Darian Durant, will get the benefit of the hometown west crowd and they’ll need it as the Alouettes have arguably  the top quarterback of the modern era in Anthony Calvillo and a great cast of receivers, led by Jamal Richardson and Kerry Watkins. 

The Alouettes have lost their last three trips to the Grey Cup but on this occasion the 15-3 Montreal club has too much talent for the Roughriders. 

Take the Alouettes by at least a TD.

And let’s not forget today’s Canadian university championship game in Quebec where Queen’s entertain the Calgary Dinos. 

Queen’s upset top-ranked Laval last Saturday in a thriller in Kingston and I look for the Gaels to continue their winning ways over a Calgary club that easily disposed of  Saint Mary’s in the Uteck Bowl.

Here and there

Last Tuesday’s ‘An Evening with Heather Moyse’ at the Culinary Institute turned out to be a night worth remembering  and it drew a sell-out audience. 

Master of Ceremonies Bruce Rainnie handled the evening in flawless fashion (well, almost) and guest speaker Scott Russell relied on his vast Olympic coverage experience to give us a glimpse of what the Games are all about. 

From start to finish, it was a fun night all the way around.

P.E.I. singer/songwriter Lennie Gallant was at his best on this occasion with a rousing three-song set that not only brought tears to Heather’s eyes but showed what a wonderful entertainer he truly is. 

Heather capped off the evening by thanking the organizers and telling the crowd that she’ll be doing her very best as she hopes to be part of the Olympic bobsled team.

Prophet’s picks

The National Football League is heading towards the end of the regular season and there are a number of clubs needing wins to keep with their playoff hopes alive. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Baltimore to meet the Ravens and a loss for either club would dim their playoff hopes. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is hurting and star linebacker Troy Palamalu is doubtful, so I’ll take the Ravens by a field goal or less. 

New England visits unbeaten New Orleans and it’s quarterback Tom Brady against Saints quarterback Drew Brees. 

The Pats are hungry so take the points spread and bet the Patriots. If you’re wagering on this game, the spread has to be six points or better, otherwise look elsewhere. 

The New York Jets are at home to Carolina Panthers and they need a win in the worst way, but they’ll beat Carolina. 

Seattle is usually terrible on the road but they’re playing a banged up St. Louis Rams team. 

Matt Hasselback is a top-notch quarterback, so I’ll take the Seahawks in this one.

The Houston Texans can’t afford another loss and Sunday they welcome unbeaten Indianapolis. 

I usually don’t recommend wagering against Peyton Manning but this could be one of those occasions. 

Wager only if the spread is seven points or better. 

If not, keep the money in your pocket. 

As always, pay the mortgage first, the picks are for fun!

At the track

In harness racing news, there’s a big 14-dash live card this afternoon at the Charlottetown Driving Park. 

The $2,200 feature goes in Race 13 and it includes, from the rail out, B J Cruiser, Yankee Sun, Stars Xample, Olivia Hall, Lakota Hall and Porthill Alf.

Southview Annan, the good looking Astreos freshman pacer, has been sold and in his first outing he was back in an overnight event this past week at Woodbine.

Hornswaggle, owned by local car dealer Pat Morris, was also out of the money at Woodbine so it’s likely back to Flamboro for a confidence builder.

Race fans Joyce Keenan and Dawn Ferguson sent along word that I erred on the date June Byrd won the Gold Cup and Saucer for Roach MacGregor and the Greenbrier Farms. 

Nice job, girls.

Harness driver and curler Doug MacGregor is back from the mixed nationals curling championships with the Kyle Stevenson rink. 

Doug’s team got off to a blazing 5-2 start, but they faded down the stretch. 

Some are pointing fingers at MacGregor’s conditioning program or lack of one for the team’s late tournament slump. 

Doug’s Seattle Seahawks can win tomorrow, so all is not lost Dougie. 

MacGregor also sends out Glengyle Vernon in today’s ninth race at the CDP and he has a big shot for trainer Doug and driver Mark Bradley.

(Fred MacDonald’s column appears each Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at fiddlersfacts@hotmail.com.)