POWER RANKINGS

1 (1) CALGARY

Even when the Stampeders are not at their best, they are still the best in the league. That point was underlined Saturday, when Calgary won 25-22 in Edmonton. The Stampeders struggled to protect Bo Levi Mitchell, who threw two fourth-quarter interceptions. But when the Stampeders needed a big play, Mitchell threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Marquay McDaniel on third-and-goal.

2 (2) WINNIPEG

The Bombers have won six of their last seven games, the most recent being Saturday’s 48-28 victory over the visiting Roughriders. The Bombers have been the league’s most opportunistic team over the past calendar year. Commit a turnover against them and you will pay. Factor in quarterback Matt Nichols and the Bombers are tough to derail.

3 (3) EDMONTON

The Eskimos began the season with seven victories, only to lose four in a row. Eskimos head coach Jason Maas espouses the importance of discipline, only to lose his temper and destroy a headset. The Eskimos’ season may resemble the headset if the combustible coach cannot restore a semblance of order.

4 (5) B.C.

So much for the great quarterback debate. The Lions will go as far as Jonathon Jennings takes them now that Travis Lulay is shelved with a knee injury. Jennings looked impressive in Friday’s 41-18 win over Montreal, going 22-for-29 for 295 yards with two touchdowns and nary an interception. The Lions have a starstudded receiving corps that should explode at some point this season.

5 (4) SASKATCHEWAN

The Roughriders outscored the opposition 133-63 during a three-game winning streak, only to lose 48-28 to Winnipeg. Saskatchewan was sloppy in all three facets of the game, surrendering six touchdowns. Worse yet, quarterback Kevin Glenn left in Saturday’s third quarter with an injured right hand. If Glenn cannot return soon, the Riders will likely mingle with those dreadful teams in the East.

6 (6) OTTAWA

Despite losing to lowly Hamilton on Saturday, Ottawa leads the East Division with nine points (4-7-1). The likelihood is that a team with a losing record will receive a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage in a division final. Nobody should be rewarded for mediocrity. Format change, please. End of tangent. Onward ...

7 (7) TORONTO

What do the Argos (4-7) call a bye week? Progress.

8 (9) HAMILTON

The presumption here was that the Tiger-Cats would spend the entirety of the season in the No. 9 spot. So much for that notion. Hamilton has won two games in a row — a phenomenal showing by subterranean East Division standards — and, believe it or not, somebody is playing at a lower level. Namely …

9 (8) MONTREAL

Welcome, Alouettes, to the No. 9 spot. Montreal is an older team that is accelerating the aging process of its fans. Not exactly a formula for success.