POWER RANKINGS
8 WEEK
1. Hamilton (3)
The Tabbies knocked off the Bombers on the field of play and on the power rankings list, but it could be a very short stay up here. They lost QB Jeremiah Masoli for the year with an ACL tear and will be without key receiver and return man Brandon Banks, who was put on the one-game injured list.
2. Winnipeg (1)
Sure, nobody figured them for an undefeated season, but they picked a real lousy time to give the ball away, didn’t they? And they clearly didn’t take advantage of the fact that Hamilton’s backup quarterback played three-quarters of the game. So they failed the biggest test of the season to date.
3. Montreal (2)
They’re coming off a bye week and apparently have the good sense to let Vernon Adams Jr. play (like baseball’s Wally Pipp scenario). Let’s review. Antonio Pipkin was the opening day starter and got hurt; Adams has played better in his absence. Pipp was the poor sap who took a sick day for the New York Yankees at first base and was replaced by Lou Gehrig.
4. Edmonton (4)
It is nearly impossible to measure a team by its play against the Argos unless it generates a loss. Instead, the Esks shut out the Boatmen, who were at the tail end of a 15-day western odyssey. So they did what was expected.
5. Saskatchewan (5)
They rolled over the Lions for backto-back wins and are home this week to a hurting Hamilton herd, so they’re a good bet to keep it going. QB Cody Fajardo is getting plenty of help from the running game and a voracious defence. Now all they need to do is get their special teams in order. That kick coverage was garbage.
6. Calgary (6)
Rene Paredes kicked the Stamps to a modest win over Ottawa last week and if that’s all the Calgary offence has in the tank against the Eskimos on Saturday, they will be humbled at home. They need to get it going pronto.
7. Ottawa (7)
The Redblacks, who keep inventing ways to lose, will need better quarterbacking and coaching to put an end to their four-game skid. With the return of starting QB Dominique Davis, they will be in better shape under centre and chances are coach Rick Campbell will be smarter on the sidelines after surrendering a safety that led to a one-point loss to Calgary last week. But they’re not firing on many cylinders.
8. B.C. (8)
The Lions will not be beaten this week. However, we don’t like their chances in Hamilton or Winnipeg once they get back from the bye. They give up too many sacks, take too many penalties and turn the ball over too often. There is no quick fix for all that ails them.
9. Toronto (9)
Winless in the first half of the season? Quite likely. They’re 0-6 and host Winnipeg, Edmonton and Montreal, teams with a combined record of 12-5. The problems start, but certainly do not end, with the Argos’ ineffective quarterbacking. They acquired the injury plagued Zach Collaros in a trade from the Riders, but it remains to be seen what difference he will make in his second stint with the Argos.