CFL Power Rankings: Bo Mitchell keeps on ticking
Stamps QB went 25-of-37 for 312 yards against Roughriders
Malcolm Kelly breaks down the balance of power in the Canadian Football League.
1. Calgary Stampeders (Unchanged)
- Overall Record: 4-1-1
- Streak: Unbeaten in 5
- Next: At Saskatchewan
Bo (Rolex) Mitchell just keeps ticking along like a Swiss watch. Not a Chopard, you understand, as a CFL quarterback doesn't make that much, but reliable and worth every penny. Bo was 25-of-37, 312 yards, with a net offence of 420 in the opener of a Rider back-to-back. This included 28 first downs that illustrated how the offence moved inexorably up and down the field, holding the ball over 34 minutes. RB Jerome Messam carried 17 times for 109 yards, or 6.4 per, and that kept the Rider defence guessing. Rene Paredes went five-for-five in field goals, but missed another convert. The game was put away with a 16-0 fourth quarter, as both sides of the ball played strong football. White Stallions haven't lost since week one and are the class of the league right now.
2. Ottawa Redblacks (Unchanged)
- Overall record: 4-2-1
- Streak: Won 1
- Next: Bye
QB Henry Burris is frustrated, and we can see why the defending Most Outstanding Player might be. His tirade against TV commentators at halftime of Ottawa's comeback win was 100 per cent wrong, but months removed from taking the RBs to an astonishing Grey Cup appearance in just the club's second year, he's being booed (by some, to be fair) and asked to re-earn the No. 1 spot behind centre. This despite coming off the injured list early when Trevor Harris, the talented younger guy, was injured himself. Burris is throwing with three fingers. Coach Rick Campbell said last week Henry is No. 1. Hank obviously, and rightly, thinks it shouldn't even be a question. Oh, did we mention the RBs won again? Burris came through at the end and the defence was hard-nosed.
3. Toronto Argonauts (Unchanged - bye)
- Overall record: 4-2
- Streak: Won 2
- Next: Winnipeg
What now Boatmen? Coming off the bye just a point behind first place Ottawa in the East, the Double Blue have been two different teams – sometimes confused on offence and defence, others a clear and present danger. What must happen now is to settle in at home and win a few at BMO Field so the crowd invites itself back. Toronto is 3-0 on the road, but 1-2 at the new nest where they will host a trio of Western clubs in Winnipeg, Edmonton and B.C. Rich Stubler, the (really) veteran defensive boss is playing his typical bend-but-don't-break style, as the stats show. Argos are around the middle in most defensive categories, but No. 2 behind B.C. in points allowed – the most important number. Backup Logan Kilgore will QB again for injured Ricky Ray.
4. B.C. Lions (Unchanged)
- Overall record: 4-2
- Streak: Won 1
- Next: Hamilton
This was a workmanlike, professional, Wally-type win on the road for the Leos, who calmly used all four quarters to subdue the error-prone Alouettes. Jonathon Jennings (27-of-33, 331 yards, 1 TD, 2 picks) had a couple of bumpy moments, but you can't beat 82 per cent completions. He was calmer at the end than the beginning; coaches love that kind of thing. Seven B.C. receivers had at least two catches. Nothing helps a QB more than being able to pivot and give the ball to a good runner – Jeremiah Johnson had 15 carries for 79 yards. Defensively, there were holes to plug due to injuries the week before and it didn't seem to stop the unit. They dumped Kevin Glenn six times and forced two key fumbles by other Larks. Lions had the ball for over 35 minutes in this one.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Unchanged)
- Overall record: 3-3
- Streak: Lost 1
- Next: At B.C.
Buoyed by the support of his head coach, playing some strong football and facing Winnipeg (what could go wrong?), QB Jeremiah Masoli stood in the shotgun, took the opening snap and threw it right into the hands of defender C.J. Roberts for a 19 yard Pick-6. And, as they once said when the Normans kicked off to the Anglo Saxons at the Battle of Hastings 950 years ago, the rout was on. Both teams put up with a 150-minute lightning delay, but only one showed up ready to go when the skies cleared. Cats' first half drives were: Pick-6, punt, fumble, punt, blocked punt, fumble, pick, and punt. Looks like they gave Zach Collaros one more to get ready for his return because Masoli was doing well. Zach will be back at B.C. Hamilton has been outscored 87-41 in first halves.
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Up from 7)
- Overall record: 3-4
- Streak: Won 2
- Next: At Toronto
Perhaps all this lightning following the Bombers around (three times now) isn't someone upstairs mad at them. Perhaps it's a return of The Natural. Matt Nichols may be Roy Hobbs. Big Blue roared off the runway and pounded Hamilton in the first half, going up 34-0, and then cruised in for a landing at 12:51 a.m. local time thanks to the 149-minute weather delay. Cats' defence shut them down in the second half, but by then no one cared a lick. Peg defence had four sacks, three picks (one for a TD to open the scoring), four knockdowns and two fumble recoveries. Nichols (23-of-31 overall, 246 yards) had a dream of a first two quarters, leading the offence to four TDs, and he is the starter now over Drew Willy. You didn't think they'd lose on Milt Stegall night, did you?
7. Edmonton Eskimos (Down from 6)
- Overall record: 2-4
- Streak: Lost 3
- Next: Montreal
QB Mike Reilly has been doing a lot of muttering under his breath while leaving the field these past weeks, and you can guess what he's saying. He was official sacked twice in this defensive contest, a deceiving number kept low by the way he moves in the pocket and gets rid of the ball quickly. Ottawa had Reilly on his butt all night, not even counting the four roughing the passer calls against the RBs. One of them left the QB's forehead bloody, putting the pivot out for all of one play. Eskimos' O-line simply has to protect their precious resource better. And while we would never countenance fighting, getting in the face of defenders who pound your pivot would be a good idea. Edmonton's defence, poor for most of the season, came up with a professional effort.
8. Montreal Alouettes (Unchanged)
- Overall record: 2-4
- Streak: Lost 1
- Next: At Edmonton
You have to gain a certain level of competence before you can worry about consistency, and this team seems forever stuck about halfway between either. One week after blowing out Saskatchewan, the Larks met a much better Lions side and really weren't in the contest despite what the score said for three quarters. Trailing by five into the fourth, QB Kevin Glenn (20-29, 244 yards, 1 TD, 0 picks) hit Corbin Louks with a pass that was promptly fumbled and run back for a touchdown. Montreal had also fumbled to open the second half, leading to a field goal. Glenn took some undeserved blame for this loss -- in addition to the fumbles, he was also sacked six times and hurried a number of others. The man cannot block for himself. Boris Bede may only handle the punting from here on.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders (Unchanged)
- Overall record: 1-5
- Streak: Lost 2
- Next: Calgary
Game within the game: Rider punter Josh Bartel kicked six times against Calgary, averaging 42.8 per. Pretty good. Ray Finch returned those kicks six times for 109 yards, including one for 54. The net for Bartel was just 24.7. You can't give away like this on specials. Saskatchewan ran out 36 first year players (rookies and free agent signings) against Calgary, and it's having an especial effect on the defence. Overall the club has given up 214 points in six games, easily worst in the loop. Meanwhile, Darian Durant took snaps as his ankle has healed, and he went 17-of-28, 247 yards, 1 TD, 0 picks, and started quickly with a scoring drive. After that, all they could manage were three field goals from rookie John Mark. Stamps again this week.