Power rankings week 11
1. Winnipeg ( 1)
As Calgary, Saskatchewan, Hamilton and Montreal have already shown, there is life after your starter is injured and the Blue Bombers have more depth at the position than most teams. Chris Streveler’s 1-3 record as a starter isn’t good, but he was a rookie. This time he has experience and confidence and takes over a red- hot team.
2. Hamilton ( 2)
So the Ticats aren’t just Jeremiah Masoli to Brandon Banks after all. Dane Evans to Bralon Addison works pretty well, too. Banks had an uncharacteristically quiet day in Ottawa, but Addison picked up the slack, the Ticats won easily and are full value for a sixpoint lead atop the East with games against B.C. and Toronto on tap.
3. Montreal ( 6)
The Als’ comeback, overtime win over Calgary was authored by their dynamic quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. But head coach Khari Jones deserves some credit as the Als have moved from dumpster fire to appointment viewing. They, too, have a favourable schedule with Toronto and B.C. up next.
4. Edmonton (4)
QB Trevor Harris has to be the leading candidate for MOP, but he plays for a team that has won a few games on defence. How about that? His numbers are nonetheless impressive: 3,051 passing yards, 13 TD throws to just two picks. He gets a chance to lead them into a first- place tie with Winnipeg by beating the Bombers this week.
5. Saskatchewan ( 3)
You snooze, you lose. The Riders spent the bye week recovering from their gruelling 42- minute victory over the Als and watching Montreal’s upset win in Calgary and Edmonton’s expected humbling of the Argos in Toronto. With Ottawa visiting Mosaic Stadium, the Riders have a great chance to climb back up the rankings this week.
6. Calgary ( 5)
Nick Arbuckle didn’t cost the Stamps a home game against Montreal, but there might be more urgency to a Bo Levi Mitchell return now with Calgary hovering just above .500 halfway through the season. That’s unfamiliar and surely uncomfortable territory for the perennial contenders.
7. Toronto ( 7)
Not sure what the answer is in Toronto, but if it’s Jonathan Crompton, then what was the question? Crompton has joined the staff as quarterbacks coach. What they need is a quarterback. Period. Neither of their starters protects the ball or puts it in the end zone nearly enough.
8. Ottawa ( 8)
Neither Dom Davis nor Jon Jennings can get the job done at QB, so the Redblacks are apparently turning to Joe Paopao. No, the Throwin’ Samoan is not coming out of retirement. He’ll apparently call offensive plays.
9. B.C. ( 9)
They are Mudville, but with higher property values. Unless and until the Lions find a way to protect QB Mike Reilly, who has been sacked more often than the late Billy Martin, there is no hope. Playoffs are a pipe dream.