POWER RANKINGS
( 1). EDMONTON
The Eskimos ( 5- 0) are an easy choice for top spot, considering they’re the CFL’s only undefeated team. Edmonton is also coming off Friday’s 37- 26 home- field victory over B.C., which had won four consecutive games. Quarterback Mike Reilly has established a nice rapport with receiver Brandon Zylstra.
( 3). CALGARY
The Stampeders eviscerated Hamilton 60-1 on Saturday, raising the question: How did the Tiger- Cats manage a rouge? Perhaps they overachieved. As the season evolves, watch for some compelling Edmonton- Calgary games. The Alberta rivalry could reach another tier.
( 2). B.C.
The Lions’ offence has fared well despite the absence of quarterback Jonathon Jennings, who has missed the better part of the past three games. Travis Lulay had back- to- back games with 400- plus passing yards before running into the Eskimos’ defence. Despite that setback, the Lions are in the top third of the league, with a considerable drop- off thereafter.
( 5). WINNIPEG
The Blue Bombers’ last two games have been CFL classics. On July 21, Winnipeg coughed up a 42- 25 fourth- quarter lead and lost 45- 42 to B.C. Winnipeg appeared poised for a second successive loss before staging a remarkable comeback against Montreal on Thursday. The Bombers overcame a 12- point deficit in the final two minutes and won 41- 40.
( 8). SASKATCHEWAN
The Roughriders move waaaaay up in the rankings at the expense of Toronto, which fell 38- 27 in Regina on Saturday. Once again, the CFL looks like a two- tiered league — first the West, then the East — and the power rankings reflect that. Saskatchewan now faces the formidable task of cracking the top four.
(4). TORONTO
And now for the East Division. The Argonauts descend two spots after being one of the few teams to lose to Saskatchewan since mid- September of 2014. Toronto’s Ricky Ray- led offence is piling up the passing yards, but the Argos’ defence took a few steps back while allowing Kevin Glenn to throw four touchdowns and Cameron Marshall to rush for 110 yards.
( 7). OTTAWA
The defending Grey Cup champions enjoyed a respite after playing three games in a span of 11 days, and four times within 17 days. Ottawa has scored more points ( 164) than anyone in the East, not that the explosiveness has significantly influenced the Redblacks’ record ( 1- 4-1). Ottawa’s Trevor Harris has a leaguehigh 12 touchdown passes.
( 6). MONTREAL
The Alouettes are a puzzle. They raised eyebrows by knocking off Calgary 30- 23 on July 14, only to lose the following two games — the most recent of which featured one of the league’s all- time collapses. Quarterback Darian Durant is becoming more comfortable with the Als offence, although early- game interceptions are an issue.
( 9). HAMILTON
Stampeders 60, Tiger- Cats 1. What more needs to be written? Compared to Hamilton, the Donald Trump administration is a smooth- running operation. Next stop: Edmonton. Gulp.