The first third of the 2015 season has been incredibly difficult to call; teams are flying up and plummeting down the power ladder. With more questions than answers facing a lot of the clubs and coming into this week, the week six CFL power rankings will show what you can expect coming into week seven.
1. Edmonton Eskimos
When Mike Reilly went down early in the season, everyone relegated Edmonton to a third-place finish at best. Two factors have put them at the top of the standings: the reliable play of Matt Nichols, and the ridiculous effectiveness of the Edmonton defence. After four straight wins, they’re making everyone believers.
2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Three weeks ago, coming off the bye week and losing to Montreal, Hamilton looked like a bag of hammers. Now they’re looking like the dominating team who tore through the second half of the 2014 season and nearly upset Calgary in the Grey Cup. Injuries remain the major problem for the team, but as long as they don’t lose many more, this team is ready to take on anyone
3. Toronto Argonauts
The Argos drop a couple of spots this week due to a couple of things; one is their inability to match up to Hamilton’s defence and get key first downs, particularly a very costly third-down gamble on their own 43-yard line. But probably the most detrimental was the turnovers. Five of them. Maybe the lightning delay didn’t help momentum in their favour either. Regardless, they rank third this week.
4. Calgary Stampeders
The Stamps played fairly well this past week against Montreal. Bo Levi Mitchell threw for over 300 yards and had two touchdowns. Receivers Marquay McDaniel and Eric Rogers proved to be key offensive weapons. But the game is owed to Calgary’s defence: the interception by Burnett and the forced fumble by Bennett – two turnovers that gave Calgary another home win. Calgary has a bye this week, but if they continue their winning streak, expect them to climb higher in the rankings. Until then, they still have something to prove and are fourth.
5.Ottawa Redblacks
The Redblacks are, again, in the five spot this week. What do they have to do to crack the top four? Find consistency and play well for four quarters in all three phases of the game. They’ve been close, no doubt. Had the Redblacks not had a bye in week six, they may have already found their way to the fourth spot.
6. Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes must be among the best 2-3 teams ever. They are certainly better that the 2-3 B.C. Lions. The welcome parity in the Eastern division has made this phenomenon possible and Montreal finds itself in a dogfight to keep pace each week. They are headed in the right direction as a franchise.
7. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
In Winnipeg you hear a lot about the warrior mentality Drew Willy possesses. He will need that edge when the Bombers make their way to Hamilton this week. Winnipeg will be a interesting team to follow all season; they have the talent to move up this ladder, but talent means nothing with out execution. The Bombers will need to execute a strong game plan to find a way to win in Hamilton.
8. B.C. Lions
The Lions are a team in trouble. At 2-3 this team is not out of the division race by any stretch, but with two wins coming against the lowly Riders they look weak. Lulay and company will need to address serious issues before their matchup against the stout Eskimos. If they fail, there will be more questions about Lulay, the Lions D, and why they are near the basement despite the hype that surrounded this team at season start.
9. University of Saskatchewan Huskies
The Huskies are an interesting team to watch, the stick together and formulate game plans that will suffocate opponents through out the game. Keep an eye on these dogs, they have the bite to back up their bark.
10. Saskatchewan RoughRiders
How much further can they fall? They have quarterbacks with no experience, rumours surrounding the coaching and GM positions, a fan base demanding change, and a league watching this team fail again and again. In the early part of this season the Riders were in games, but now without Glenn the Riders will be spectators at best. It’s a long way out of this hole they dug themselves. Can they do it?
That is how the power ladder is shaped up entering week seven. Agree or disagree with Matt Bin, Gina Shiltz, Kelly Bale or Lance Keiser? Add a comment below to contribute to the conversation.
