POWER RANKINGS 3 WEEK
(Last week’s rankings in brackets)
1 (2) CALGARY
The Stampeders are undefeated — no surprise, really — with two victories and a tie. They would be 3-0 if not for a 37-yard missed field goal by Calgary’s Rene Paredes in overtime during the season opener against Ottawa. Most recently, the Stampeders put the boots to Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols and company.
2 (1) EDMONTON
Edmonton dropped a spot in the rankings without playing a game last week. Such are the joys of being in the same league as Calgary. The Eskimos are banged up, and the bye week won’t have much of a recuperative effect due to season-ending injuries sustained by running back John White and middle linebacker J.C. Sherritt. Stay healthy, Mike Reilly.
3 (5) B.C.
The wait continues for the highpowered Lions offence to explode. Multi-talented quarterback Jonathon Jennings has yet to light it up in collaboration with an elite receiving corps, but all-purpose tailback Jeremiah Johnson has picked up the slack. And the Lions’ defence shut down Montreal quarterback Darian Durant last week.
4 (6) TORONTO
When Ricky Ray is having one of those days, well, good luck to the opposition. On Saturday, he went into Ottawa and piled up 366 passing yards (210 to S.J. Green). The Argos’ defence also enjoyed an impressive game, the result being a one-point win in the home of the defending Grey Cup champions. It’s early, but Marc Trestman for coach of the year!
5 (3) OTTAWA
The Redblacks are surprisingly winless (two losses, one tie) despite having a chance to win all three of their games. They opened up with back-to-back games against Calgary — no easy task — and treated fans to a pair of thrillers. Then came a regression against Toronto.
6 (4) WINNIPEG
The Bombers also experienced a two-spot descent after losing 29-10 to Calgary in their home opener. The game turned on a pick-six by Nichols, who had been so sharp six days earlier in Regina — scorching the Roughriders for four touchdown passes. The next matchup with Calgary, which played a (stop) Nichols defence, was a rude awakening.
7 (7) MONTREAL
Montreal maintains its seventh-place ranking following a loss, simply because it has defeated Saskatchewan (No. 8) and simply has to be superior to the early-season version of the Tiger-Cats (No. 9). The Alouettes defence has performed quite well. Montreal’s offence? Punt!
8 (8) SASKATCHEWAN
The Roughriders have improved their play, but not their ranking. They have lost to Montreal and Winnipeg so, for the time being, stay at eighth. Watch for an ascent if the Roughriders, who are on a bye week, can somehow win in Calgary on July 22. Quarterback Kevin Glenn is on a roll and a Chris Jones-choreographed defence gave Hamilton fits on Saturday.
9 (9) HAMILTON
The highlight of Hamilton’s season has been a Week 2 bye. The TigerCats fell 32-15 to Toronto, and on Saturday lost 37-20 in Saskatchewan. The score flattered the Ticats, who were purposeless offensively and porous defensively. They topped it all off by lacking discipline and composure. Just bad.