POWER RANKINGS

WEEK 6

1. Calgary (1)

The unrivalled class of the Canadian Football League totally undressed the Redblacks last week to go to 4-0 and they managed a healthy portion of the manhandling with their backup quarterback at the helm. Starter Bo Levi Mitchell took a low hit, finished off a series, then watched Nick Arbuckle clean up. Mitchell will probably be back this week and even if not, Montreal will be hard-pressed to score enough to keep pace. The Stamps give up an average of 9.5 points per game.

2. Hamilton (3)

The Tabbies’ bye-week bump comes courtesy of Winnipeg’s second-half swoon at B.C. Place. After a road-heavy start, Hamilton hosts Saskatchewan to finish off their home-and-home series.

3. Edmonton (5)

The Eskimos squeaked past a Toronto team that is languishing at the bottom of the standings and these rankings, so it wasn’t worth much momentum-wise. They’re on a bye week, which must mean that the weather will be improving. They have played in the rain more often than Gene Kelly.

4. B.C. (8)

The Lions are essentially the West Division’s yo-yo. Way up this week after falling way down last week, they need to find a consistent, even keel. If their second-half comeback against Winnipeg was more than just a product of the Bombers shooting themselves in the foot, the Lions may have laid the foundation for a resurgence. It’s a tough call.

5. Saskatchewan (6)

Their bye-week bump also comes courtesy of the Winnipeg fiasco. They head into Hamilton with a host of questions about their quarterbacking choices.

6. Winnipeg (2)

The Bombers are a curious team with at least two personalities, particularly after putting up a half of good football followed by a half of really dumb football in B.C. The resulting three-point loss was aided and abetted by penalties, interceptions, mishandled third-and-shorts and the total abandonment of their running game, featuring their most effective player Andrew Harris.

7. Ottawa (4)

There are CFL observers who will tell you that Trevor Harris is on the verge of joining a small group of elite QBS. His early 2018 stats have countered that theory and head coach Rick Campbell has already seen fit to give him the hook in favour of Dominique Davis in two of the last three games. Harris and the Redblacks didn’t get a first down until late in the second quarter of their embarrassing home loss to the Stamps.

8. Toronto (7)

James Franklin went throw for throw with Mike Reilly for two weeks and came out 1-1. Good enough for two points and decent stats, but there are still growing pains.

9. Montreal (9)

First, the good news. The Als didn’t lose last week. However, that streak is in serious jeopardy with Calgary up next. When a team that scores just 15 points per game meets a team that gives up just 9.5 per game, it’s probably best to avert your eyes.