Preview: Blue Bombers at Tiger-Cats

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This is the day I've been counting down to since I was sitting in a hotel room in Ottawa in February when the schedule came out.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate the 144th birthday of this great nation than by sitting in Ivor Wynne Stadium watching the Tiger-Cats battle the Blue Bombers.

These two teams met in the season opener last season, and the Bombers beat the stuffing out of the Cats in Winnipeg. Hamilton will be looking to return the favour.

Both teams experienced changes in the off-season. The Cats brought in some big-name players – Avon Cobourne, Rey Williams and Justin Medlock, most notably – with the hopes of finally getting over the hump. The Offense is loaded with weapons, starting with Quarterback Kevin Glenn. Glenn will once again be tossing passes to Arland Bruce, Dave Stala and Maurice Mann. Adding Cobourne to the mix makes this Offense downright lethal.

Winnipeg shipped out former starting Quarterback Steven Jyles, so this team is now firmly in the hands of the oft-injured Buck Pierce. But Winnipeg does return the league's leading rusher in Fred Reid and second-leading Receiver in Terrence Edwards. Winnipeg has the ability to light up the scoreboard, so Hamilton's revamped Defense will have its work cut out for it.

Getting off to a good start will be imperative to both teams. Hamilton would like to win their first season opener since 2004, and Winnipeg would like to put last year's 4-14 record behind them. Should make for one helluva contest.

If you can't make it to the game, TSN will have the game for you on television, and AM900 CHML will have it for you on the radio.