The power has shifted in the 2015 season. Eastern division teams are starting to find their stride, Western teams continue to confuse us all. With Calgary looking vulnerable, B.C. taking out Edmonton, and Saskatchewan once again coming within a score of winning their first game, there are plenty of reminders that in this league, nothing lasts forever. The East is here to stay; they look tough to handle and very powerful heading into week eight.
Week Eight CFL Power Rankings
1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton moves up to the number one spot this week after their crushing win over Winnipeg. The Ticats are perfect at Tim Hortons Field again for another week. What was impressive from their win last week was not only their speed, but their defence taking charge of the game from the start. You have to also remember that they are winning games even after taking a hit with injuries. We’ll see if they stay in number one after they play B.C. on Saturday.
2. Toronto Argonauts
Toronto finally got to play at home this past week, and it paid off with a win over the Roughriders. It also earned them a move up on the rankings this week. Trevor Harris looked strong and brought it all the way to the fourth quarter when they needed it, throwing two touchdowns that put them ahead of the Riders who had been leading most of the game. Also noteworthy about the Argos win was that they did it without top receiver Chad Owens. The Argos play Winnipeg on Friday, and we’ll see where they end up on our rankings next week.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
The green and gold came up short in a chance to further their hold on the west last week in Vancouver. A cross-country tour continues this week for the Esks as they are on the road in Montreal this week. The glaring problem for the squad last week was their inability to control the Lions’ RB Andrew Harris; a strong practice this week will likely include watching RBs who are leaving the back field. Failure to do so will further the Eskimos’ drop down the ladder.
4. Calgary Stampeders
Coming off a bye week the Stamps will be looking to gain traction in the Grey Cup title defense when the surging Redblacks come to Cow Town. The Redblacks shocked everyone except themselves and the R-nation with a win against these same Stampeders. Suddenly looking vulnerable, Calgary will need to step their game up against Ottawa. The West, always competitive in itself, wears teams down. Calgary will need to knock the timing of Burris and his receivers off while also limiting turnovers to move up this ladder.
5. Ottawa Redblacks
Henry Burris is looking anything but 40 years old, the way he’s playing right now. Using a no-huddle offence, Smilin’ Hank stomped over the Alouettes en route to the team’s fourth win of the year. Despite failing to stay disciplined on the defensive side of the ball, the Redblacks are still winning games and moving up in the rankings.
6. B.C. Lions
The Lions share a similar story to the Redblacks: both had low expectations and have been exceeding them. But the league remains skeptical. After a big win at home against the powerful Eskimos, the Lions will have to face a big test in Hamilton. With strong defensive efforts from Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill, the Lions could soon be climbing up.
7. Montreal Alouettes
The Alouettes have fallen into the seven spot, but haven’t been bad. Maybe inadequate is a better descriptor of this team; they are still in games late, but can’t seal the deal. Led by a veteran coach and receiving corps, the Rakeem Cato show will have to beat Edmonton to move up next week but should they fail, might want to get comfortable with league wide parity as today’s standard.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
A city of tremendous beauty and civic pride, especially when it comes to their professional sports teams. The 2015 edition of Winnipeg’s Blue Bombers has been both thrilling and disappointing. The heat is on in the Manitoba capital and injuries have complicated the scenario further. All in a year where Winnipeg plays host to the Grey Cup in November. Unfortunately the Bombers are trending downward.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Roughriders have a bye this week, so they will remain in the nine spot until week nine at the earliest. Not even the zombie apocalypse will change that. We’ll see the team continue to seek answers, and we could see the first of NFL cuts returning or coming to the CFL. Oh, zombies aren’t real? The Walking Dead in green and white suggest otherwise.
Agree or disagree with the LWOS power ladder? Let us know in the comments below. This was a collaborative effort, with contributions from Gina Schiltz, Lance Keiser, Nick Di Giovanni, and Kelly Bale.
