The Alberta teams are still battling for the top spots in the CFL power rankings as there is another switch among them. The Edmonton Eskimos are still the only undefeated team left in the CFL. They are 7-0 but when you look at what the odds makers believe, they still view the Calgary Stampeders as the top team in the league. The Stamps have a loss and a tie on their docket, but they have scored more points and allowed less. The perception is that the Stampeders – who won the West last season – are still the team to beat. Besides that, the East lead means a switch between those two teams, and everything else stays the same.
1. Calgary Stampeders
Last Week: 2
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +250
The Stampeders (5-1-1) managed to get back into the top spot despite not playing at all this week, and Edmonton remained undefeated, leaving Calgary three points behind them. Sportsbooks could be counting on an Edmonton loss to come sooner than a Calgary loss as the two look towards their Labor Day showdown in two weeks. However, the Stampeders can’t look past this Friday’s dangerous trip to British Columbia.
2. Edmonton Eskimos
Last Week: 1
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +275
Meanwhile, the Eskimos (7-0-0) are still perfect after a 27-20 win in Ottawa in which they jumped out to a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, and managed to hold on. Mike Reilly was 27-of-38 for 384 yards, two touchdowns and two picks on the day, while Bryant Mitchell had seven catches for 114 yards for the Eskimos, who also rushed for 102 yards and held the ball for 36:09. They’ll look to remain unbeaten as they head to Winnipeg on Thursday.
3. British Columbia Lions
Last Week: 3
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +500
The Lions (5-3-0) got smacked in a 41-8 loss in Saskatchewan, in which Jonathon Jennings was 14-of-30 for 195 yards, one touchdown and four picks. Travis Lulay was marginally better, going 5-of-9 for 54 yards, while Alex Ross was 1-of-3 for 52 yards and a pick. The Lions never even got on the board until the fourth quarter, and it was an all-around poor game for British Columbia, no matter how you slice it. The Lions have to shake it off quickly before the rested Stampeders come to town on Friday night.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Last Week: 4
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The Blue Bombers (5-2-0) are now third in the West division after routing Hamilton 39-12 on the road. Justin Medlock had six field goals for the Blue Bombers, while Matt Nichols was 25-of-35 for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Andrew Harris also ran 14 times for 107 yards and the Winnipeg defense forced three turnovers, along with five sacks. While it was against Hamilton, it was just the type of game that the Blue Bombers needed to have before they welcome Edmonton on Thursday night.
5. Montreal Alouettes
Last Week: 6
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1000
The Alouettes (3-4-0) now lead the East division after a 21-9 win at home over Toronto, and the defense took advantage of the Argonauts missing injured quarterback Ricky Ray. Montreal held Toronto to 142 yards through the air, while Darian Durant was 18-of-27 for 237 yards and a pair of scores for Montreal. However, the defense was the story as they were as stout as ever as they prepare for a return trip to Toronto on Saturday.
6. Toronto Argonauts
Last Week: 5
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1000
The Argonauts (3-5-0) had to go with Cody Fajardo, who was 10-of-16 for 75 yards, while Jeff Matthews was 8-of-12 for 67 yards. At least Fajardo ran nine times for 60 yards and the Argonauts ran for 173 yards as a team, led by Brandon Whitaker’s 96 yards on 13 carries. However, the Alouettes weren’t worried about the Argonauts going deep on them, so they could just keep Toronto in front of them. The Argonauts would then have to settle for three field goals, which were kicked by Lirim Hajrullahu. Ray’s availability will be up in the air as the Argonauts host Montreal on Saturday.
7. Ottawa RedBlacks
Last Week: 7
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1200
The RedBlacks (1-6-1) are still in the hunt in the East somehow after their loss to the Eskimos at home, but luckily for them, Montreal and Toronto aren’t much better. Trevor Harris was 26-of-37 for 266 yards, two touchdowns and a pick as the offense has a decent game. However, the defense allowed 486 yards and the Ottawa offense was only on the field for 23:51. Against the best team in the league, that is a recipe for the disaster. The RedBlacks now have to get their heads back in the game as they prepare for a trip to winless Hamilton.
8. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Last Week: 8
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1600
The Roughriders (3-4-0) were beaten handily in British Columbia in Week 7, but they definitely returned the favor and then some at home in Week 8. Kevin Glenn was 19-of-25 for 320 yards, three touchdowns and a pick, and Cameron Marshall ran 12 times for 46 yards and a score. But the defense took over with five interceptions, four of which went to Ed Gainey, who ran one back for a touchdown and also had a fumble recovery. The Roughriders also had four sacks and had constant pressure, which forced a lot of rushed throws and Gainey in particular was able to take advantage of this. The Roughriders are at least within shouting distance in the tough West as they head into a bye week.
9. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last Week: 9
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1600
The lowly Tiger-Cats (0-7-0) couldn’t do much of anything in their home loss to Winnipeg as Zach Collaros was 21-of-33 for 216 yards, a touchdown and a pick, and they only rushed for 31 yards. The defense allowed 408 yards in total, and you have to think that the seat of head coach Kent Austin is getting warmer by the second. The Tiger-Cats aren’t getting any better on either side of the ball, and offense is supposed to Austin’s thing, given his job history as a former quarterback and offensive coordinator. The Tiger-Cats host Ottawa on Friday night and if they lose, you’d have to think Austin’s job would be seriously in trouble at this point.
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