Advertise on podcast: Third Down Gamble

RedBlacks' Bryson Barnes does the unthinkable, wins a game for Ottawa!  Football 101: TSN's Luke Willson articulates Ottawa's plan, did the Argonauts hear it?  Winnipeg must win to be in the playoffs; Calgary's fate rests with the Lions.  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permssion, Ottawa vs Toronto game audio clip courtesy TSN; podcast recorded October 20, 2026).

Does Ottawa finally start Bryson Barnes at quarterback?  In 2027, Hamilton would qualify for the CFL playoffs, does that make sense?  Calgary misses an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot with their loss in Winnipeg.  BC can still finish first in the West, Winnipeg second, and Saskatchewan could miss the playoffs.  A three-way tie in the West standings amongst Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, and Calgary will send the Stampeders packing.  (CFL on CBC opening theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded October 14, 2026).

For the second time in as many weeks, eight or more field goals lift a CFL team to victory... this time in Toronto without the aid of a touchdown.  The Western Playoff race, third through to fifth, is a wild jumble of scenarios; win and Edmonton and BC can avoid the confusion.  Winnipeg versus Calgary Saturday night is likely the first real playoff game in 2026.   (CFL on CBC oppening theme is used with express permission; podcast. recorded October 6, 2026).

The CFL Board of Governors approves a move to add Quebéc City to the East Division.  Hamilton is eliminated from the playoff race and makes a trade with the Alouettes soon after.  Does the NFL need to expand their replay centre to include reviewing pass interference calls to ddtermine if a turnover stands?  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded September 28, 2026).

BC Lions Joshua Hagerty's two-game suspension has raised more questions, with many believing the CFL could have done more.  Calgary's René Paredes kicks two personal-best field goals, one that proved to be the game winner as the Stampeders stay alive in the 2026 playoff race.  Will Chad Kelly's pending free agency reset the market for quarterbacks in the CFL?  Toronto needed only posession for a just over a third of the game to defeat the Elks Saturday.  (TSN game audio, CFL on CBC opening theme used with expess permission; podcast recorded September 21, 2026).

McLeod Bethel-Thompson is named the starting quarterback for Ottawa in their bid to avoid a thirteenth straight loss in 2026.  A melee involving the Lions and Alouettes sees three players that participated are now being summoned to hearings to determine further sanctions; could any or all three been thrown out of the game that night in Vancouver?  Can the Stampeders salvage their season, or is it time to move on from the Dickenson brothers?  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded September 15, 2026).

Why was Edmonton linebacker Nik Anderson not disqualified after his hit on a sliding Vernon Adams Jr.?  How did Hamilton's medical staff allow Tre Ford back on the field after his apparant concussion?  The Elks hold down first place (alone), post-Labour Day, for the first time since 2009.  Football Canada and U Sport will not adopt the CFL-proposed  evised field configurations.  With the game on the line, when do you go for a two-point convert for the win and risk the loss by doing so?  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded September 8, 2026).

Ottawa's quarterback Jake Maeir sets a new record, one he would like to forget.  Jeff Hunt is interested in a return to the RedBlacks as their football President.  The replay centre overturns another fumble based on forward progress being stopped, what makes this type of booth review more accurate?  Toronto misses the chance to call for a last-play challenge for pass interference.  OK Tire Labour Day weekend has a full-slate of important games.

Special guest Graham Mosimann chronicles his journey throught the radio-station landscape, explains how he started to work for the Elks, provides insight into the role and importance of a spotter, talks about his pre-game schedule, the script, and timing sequence used for his game-day announcements; and Graham discusses the 'High School Football' call synonymous at Elks home games (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded August 24, 2026).

Ottawa RedBlacks bring in Jim Popp to help the team find a new President of the football Club.  Saskatchewan loses their second straight on the road, but sign former Tiger-Cats receiver Shemar Bridges to help and injured and ailing offence.  Winnipeg's Zach Collaros after a hit looks like a beaten man; can his offensive line find a way to protect him?  BC continues to surge, Edmonton is alone in first in the West, and Montreal has the best record in the league.  (CFl on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded Agust 24, 2026).

Special Guest Steve Daniel discusses the first half of the current 2026 CFL season, including the quality of play, offensive, touchdown, and kick efficiency (which are off-the-charts).  CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded August 21, 2026).

Ottawa RedBlacks still searching for their first win, re-organise their front office; Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie wants his team to focus on the game ahead.   Can grass fields be brought back into CFL stadiums?  Buffalo's new stadium gets roughly 500 complaints from ticket holders over sight-lines. Renderings of the new 2027 CFL field configuration have some season-ticket holders concerned as well.  (CFLon CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded August 18, 2026).

Winnipeg welcomes back Zach Collaros; Ottawa releases two more veteran defensive players; Chad Kelly throws four interceptions and Toronto wins... again.  Do 'points shown in the standings' matter anymore given there likely will be no more draws?  Commissioner Stewart Johnston has been barely visible as of late, but the CFL season moves forward with record scoring.  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded August 11, 2026).

Can Winnipeg's running back Brady Oliviera and Offensive Coordinator Tommy Condell get on the same page?  Will Winnipeg's defence get on track?  Ottawa fires Defensive Coordinator William Fields and release receiver Eugene Lewis, what is next for the RedBlacks?  Has quarterback Tre Ford played himself out of a starting role with Hamilton?  Think about it... if this were 2027, given the current standing, winless Ottawa would need just two wins to be tied for the final playoff spot.  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded August 4, 2026).

One linebacker (Hamilton's Winton McManus) gets ejected from a CFL game, while another (BC's Darnell Sankey) is penalized but allowed to continue; what was the difference?  For the second time this year, Calgary scores over 50 points against an opponent.  With backup quarterbacks in charge, teams are struggling to score and, more importantly, win.  Can rookie quarterback Kaidon Salter defy this recent trend with his first start for the Lions?  Elks vs Roughriders round two goes Saturday, will it be another classic?  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded July 28, 2026).