POWER RANKINGS

1 (1) CALGARY

Is there any doubt about who deserves to occupy the No. 1 spot? Will there be any doubt for the remainder of the season? The perennially powerful Stampeders drubbed Edmonton 39-18 on Labour Day and, at 8-1-1, appear to be off to the races, especially with Winnipeg losing on the weekend. Give the Stampeders (or their game-breaking returner, Joe Finch) a step or two and it’s over.

2 (2) WINNIPEG

The Bombers (7-3) maintain their No. 2 ranking despite a 38-24 loss in Saskatchewan on Sunday, which halted their winning streak at five games. Winnipeg trailed 24-3 after the first quarter and 34-16 at halftime before making things moderately interesting in the fourth. It was still an ugly game for the Bombers, but at least they are faring better of late than No. 3.

3 (3) EDMONTON

The Eskimos maintain a very tenuous hold on third spot after suffering a third successive loss and swallowing a second blowout in a row. Edmonton’s 7-3 record still merits some consideration — hence the admittedly fragile case against a lower placing. Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly has demonstrated a sudden proclivity for interceptions and is absorbing far too many hits.

4 (4) SASKATCHEWAN

The Roughriders, who have outscored the opposition 133-63 during a three-game winning streak, are stuck at No. 4 simply because Calgary, Winnipeg and Edmonton have superior records. Of late, though, Calgary and Saskatchewan have been the best teams in the league. The Roughriders are finally starting to click under Chris Jones, who appears to have most of the pieces in place for a successful second half.

5 (5) B.C.

Coming off a bye week, the Lions have been forced to weigh the future (Jonathon Jennings) against the present (Travis Lulay) at the all-important quarterback position. Jennings demonstrated Hall of Fame-calibre talent last season, only to regress. Lulay, with his 34th birthday looming, has been the far better option.

6 (7) OTTAWA

Ottawa is an interesting case. The defending Grey Cup champions are 4-6-1, but have outscored the opposition 314275. The Redblacks could be a dangerous team down the stretch, with Trevor Harris teaming with talented receivers such as Greg Ellingson and Brad Sinopoli.

7 (6) TORONTO

The Argos drop one spot after becoming the first team to lose to lowly Hamilton this season. What other rationale is necessary?

8 (8) MONTREAL

Considering the Alouettes’ sizable investment in quarterback Darian Durant, they might want to protect the man. The offensive line has been porous and the offensive game plan is bound to bore us. The Alouettes could use someone like receiver S.J. Green, who has sparkled with Toronto after being dumped by Montreal.

9 (9) HAMILTON

The Tiger-Cats will not become the CFL’s version of the 2008 Detroit Lions (the only 0-16 team in NFL history) thanks to Monday’s 24-22 home-field victory over Toronto. On a gloomier note, the TigerCats’ 1-8 record is still ghastly.