The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have their offensive leader back.

Quarterback Zach Collaros will make his 2016 debut Saturday when Hamilton (3-3) visits the B.C. Lions (4-2). Collaros hasn't played since suffering a serious knee injury last September versus the Edmonton Eskimos.

The Ticats were 8-3 under Collaros last season, who was leading the CFL in passing (3,376 yards), TDs (25) and passer rating (113.7) with an impressive 70.2 completion percentage when he was hurt. Collaros guided Hamilton to a Grey Cup appearance in 2014, losing to 20-16 to Calgary.

Jeremiah Masoli, Jeff Mathews and Jacory Harris all started in Collaros's absence as Hamilton (10-8) finished second in the East. Masoli led Ticats past Toronto 25-22 in the East semifinal — Masoli's first career post-season start — then threw for 349 yards in a wild 35-28 loss to Ottawa in the division final.

Masoli opened the season as Hamilton's starter and performed admirably, completing 159-of-226 passes (70.4 per cent) for 1,867 yards with eight TDs but also eight interceptions. Masoli finished 27-of-46 passing for 335 yards and three interceptions in the Ticats first road loss of the season, a 37-11 decision in Winnipeg last week.

Collaros's first start of the year will come against one of the CFL's top defences. B.C., anchored by stalwart linebackers Adam Bighill and Solomon Elimiminan, has surrendered just 11 TDs overall and just 22.5 points per game, both league lows.

And an offence led by quarterback Jonathon Jennings is averaging 30.2 points per game, second only to Ottawa (32 points). Jennings has completed 129-of-200 passes (64.5 per cent) for 1,742 yards with 13 TDs against just four interceptions and has thrown for 1,134 yards in B.C.'s last three games.

The Lions also boast the CFL's second-ranked rushing attack at 97.7 yards per game although both defences are good at getting to the quarterback as they're tied for the league lead in sacks with 22.

Hamilton is a solid 3-1 on the road this season and should get a boost from Collaros's return.

Pick — Hamilton

Montreal Alouettes versus Edmonton Eskimos (Thursday night)

The defending Grey Cup-champion Eskimos (2-4) have dropped three straight. Edmonton and Ottawa combined for 27 penalties and over 300 yards last week in the Redblacks' 23-20 victory. Veteran quarterback Henry Burris threw for 341 yards and two TDs against Edmonton. Mike Reilly was 25-of-41 passing for 255 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. The Eskimos' defence is ranked second-last in points allowed (31.2). But Montreal (2-4) is averaging a league-low 19.7 points per game and comes off a 20-point home loss to B.C.

Pick — Edmonton

Winnipeg Blue Bombers versus Toronto Argonauts (Friday night)

Winnipeg (3-5) has won two straight with veteran Matt Nichols. He completed 23-of-31 passes for 246 yards and two TDs in a 37-11 home win over Hamilton last week despite a weather delay of almost three hours. It marked the first time in more than two years that Winnipeg has earned consecutive victories. Toronto (4-2) hasn't played since a 23-20 road win over Ottawa on July 31. Logan Kilgore was 25-of-42 passing for 322 yards and a TD with two interceptions in his first career CFL start. While the Bombers now have tape of Kilgore in action, so do the Argos of Nichols.

Pick — Toronto

Calgary Stampeders versus Saskatchewan Roughriders (Saturday afternoon)

It's been an interesting week between Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and Saskatchewan fans after Mitchell accused Saskatchewan of cheating on Twitter. Mitchell doesn't need extra motivation. He has the Stampeders (4-1-1) atop the West Division with the CFL's best record. He also threw for 312 yards and a TD in last week's 35-15 road win over the Riders (1-5) to extend Calgary's unbeaten streak to five games. Darian Durant was 17-of-28 passing for 247 yards and a TD for Saskatchewan after missing two starts with an ankle injury.

Pick — Calgary

Last week: 3-1

Overall: 12-15-1