POWER RANKINGS 8 WEEK

1. Calgary (1)

The Stamps gave up 22 points. That’s new. So, too, the fact they lost the time of possession battle to the Riders, by a whopping six minutes. Ball security was a bit of an issue, but they’re a perfect 6-0 and therefore hang onto top spot.

2. Edmonton (2)

No team gets too much credit for beating Montreal, which has been the CFL equivalent of the free space on a bingo card. The Esks aren’t going to supplant the Stampeders atop these rankings unless and until they beat them.

3. Winnipeg (4)

The Bombers swept a home-andhome series against the lowly Argonauts, but they advance one spot only because Saskatchewan stumbled at home. The Bombers need to prove their mettle against West Division foes before they make a serious move.

4. Ottawa (5)

The Redblacks didn’t score a touchdown and still beat Hamilton. So kudos to their defence and kicker Lewis Ward. But yeesh, what a predictable, pedestrian attack. Will Ottawa QB Trevor Harris ever get a handle on the entirety of that offence? They also move up courtesy of the sinking Riders.

5. Saskatchewan (3)

The latest victims of Calgary’s perfect start put up a decent fight on defence, thanks to sack-happy Charleston Hughes. But unless Zach Collaros is healthy enough to play, they’ll have quarterback problems. The offence has been dumbed down for QB Brandon Bridge and is too focused on the short, high-percentage gain.

6. B.C. (7)

The Lions and Ticats flip places this week because B.C. quarterback Travis Lulay on a suspect wheel is still a better bet to put the ball in the end zone than Hamilton’s Jeremiah Masoli. So the Lions get a bye week bump.

7. Hamilton (6)

Masoli threw for 352 yards but engineered just one TD, in the fourth quarter. Five sacks against, including two on the final possession of the game, added to their offensive shortcomings. They also highlight two things of import: the cost of dealing left tackle Tony Washington to Montreal in the Johnny Manziel trade, and a serious need for Masoli to get rid of the ball before he takes such massive, debilitating losses.

8. Toronto (8)

The Argos had very little hope of improvement with mistake-prone QB James Franklin at the helm, so they will hand the ball to McLeod BethelThompson. How many teams win the Grey Cup one year, then miss the playoffs the next? This struggling squad, which misses Ricky Ray dearly and can’t defend against the pass, may well be the next defending champion to suffer such ignominy.

9.

Montreal (9)

They’re selling jerseys and hope in Montreal. Head coach Mike Sherman decided he will start Johnny Manziel instead of letting him “see the field” from the sidelines again. It’s time for Jean Football to take the reins.