1. Calgary Stampeders
They just keep winning. And stirring shit up with other teams on Twitter.
2. BC Lions
Won a tight one at home against Hamilton, but they did manage to score the go ahead TD late. Jennings is making an argument on being the best quarterback in the CFL. Elimimian and Bighill are a potent combo at linebacker.
3. Ottawa REDBLACKS
A week off helps Ottawa. Plus no new injuries.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Like Hansel, Winnipeg is so hot right now. Nichols is playing reasonably at quarterback and the released and returned Clarence Denmark had a ridiculous game in the Big Smoke last weekend. Not really sure it is going to last, but at least Mike O'Shea's job is safe for another few weeks.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The anointed one Zach Collaros has returned. Looked OK in the first half and great in the second half. Collaros also managed to find Gable receiving out of the backfield for a long run, which happened a lot last year, but not much in the first six games with Masoli. The Tiger-Cats secondary was torched badly in BC however and couldn't stop Lion receivers even with multiple coverage. Front seven is decent.
6. Edmonton Eskimos
Beat Montreal, but that isn't saying a lot. Still Mike Reilly isn't injured and considering all the injuries that happen to quarterbacks in the modern CFL, the Eskimos still have a decent chance to win.
7. Toronto Argonauts
Got crunched at home by Winnipeg. Good on the road though.
8. Montreal Alouettes
Lost yet again, albeit on the road to the Esks. Jim Popp would be better off going back to being GM only next year and find another coach.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
They didn't look awful against the Stamps at home, but they didn't win either. Getting close to being a rebuilding year considering they have only won one game.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Thursday, August 11, 2016
2016 CFL Predictions Week 8
Montreal at Edmonton
Both teams have not been very good of late. Montreal isn't really surprising, while Edmonton is the defending Grey Cup champion. Despite the CFL weirdly being a road team biased league this year, one has to think that the Eskimos will regress upwards towards the mean here and win at home.
Eskimos 31 Alouettes 19
Winnipeg at Toronto
Not really sure on this one. Toronto has been decent all year, while the Bombers have suddenly turned things around with backup quarterback Matt Nichols taking over from Drew Willy in a bit of a desperation move for Bomber coach Mike O'Shea. The Argos don't have Ricky Ray in their lineup, so I'll go with the improbability of a Bomber road win.
Blue Bombers 25 Argonauts 22
Calgary at Saskatchewan
Despite being a road game for the Stamps, this looks like a gimme for Calgary. That was before Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (abbreviated as BLM somewhat confusingly) took to Twitter to accuse the sadsack rebuilding Riders of having a secretly funded blackops practice squad. Rider fans are now mad, but I don't think it changes the result.
Stampeders 40 Riders 18
Hamilton at BC
Traditionally Eastern Time Zone teams in the CFL have done poorly in BC which always seems to schedule evening games. The Cats have managed to go 3 and 3 with Jeremiah Masoli as the pivot, but now the appointed one, Zach Collaros is back and looking to light up the scoreboard (and actually throw running back C.J. Gable some passes). Collaros is coming off ACL surgery and will likely be somewhat rusty, plus the Lions are at home and Lion quarterback Jonathon Jennings has been good this year. So Lions.
Lions 29 Tiger-Cats 23
Both teams have not been very good of late. Montreal isn't really surprising, while Edmonton is the defending Grey Cup champion. Despite the CFL weirdly being a road team biased league this year, one has to think that the Eskimos will regress upwards towards the mean here and win at home.
Eskimos 31 Alouettes 19
Winnipeg at Toronto
Not really sure on this one. Toronto has been decent all year, while the Bombers have suddenly turned things around with backup quarterback Matt Nichols taking over from Drew Willy in a bit of a desperation move for Bomber coach Mike O'Shea. The Argos don't have Ricky Ray in their lineup, so I'll go with the improbability of a Bomber road win.
Blue Bombers 25 Argonauts 22
Calgary at Saskatchewan
Despite being a road game for the Stamps, this looks like a gimme for Calgary. That was before Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (abbreviated as BLM somewhat confusingly) took to Twitter to accuse the sadsack rebuilding Riders of having a secretly funded blackops practice squad. Rider fans are now mad, but I don't think it changes the result.
Stampeders 40 Riders 18
Hamilton at BC
Traditionally Eastern Time Zone teams in the CFL have done poorly in BC which always seems to schedule evening games. The Cats have managed to go 3 and 3 with Jeremiah Masoli as the pivot, but now the appointed one, Zach Collaros is back and looking to light up the scoreboard (and actually throw running back C.J. Gable some passes). Collaros is coming off ACL surgery and will likely be somewhat rusty, plus the Lions are at home and Lion quarterback Jonathon Jennings has been good this year. So Lions.
Lions 29 Tiger-Cats 23
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
2016 CFL Power Rankings Week 8
1. Calgary Stampeders
Sure they only beat the Roughriders last week, but you can't argue with their record. Bo Levi Mitchell is still healthy which definitely helps.
2. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Henry Burris is back and angry at the CFL panel and other critics. Personally I thought Trevor Harris gives them a better chance to in, but he is injured so there's something to be said for durability.
3. BC Lions
Not a lot of fans in the stands, but the team is doing well in 2016. Jonathon Jennings is having an impressive year.
4. Toronto Argonauts
The Argos are better than I would have thought, especially on the road. Not sure what that says about Argo home fans.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Zach Collaros is returning! Hopefully he doesn't have too much rust, but we are assuming he can still dump it off to C.J. Gable for big gains.
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Still not sure the Bombers are for real, but they have turned things around with Edmonton's castoff quarterback.
7. Edmonton Eskimos
What has happened to Edmonton? Mike Reilly isn't injured and were it not for the Riders, they would be in the basement.
8. Montreal Alouettes
Even with Kevin Glenn in the lineup, the Alouettes aren't very good. Their kicker absolutely sucking this year hasn't helped.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Yeah it is going to be a long season for the Riders.
Sure they only beat the Roughriders last week, but you can't argue with their record. Bo Levi Mitchell is still healthy which definitely helps.
2. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Henry Burris is back and angry at the CFL panel and other critics. Personally I thought Trevor Harris gives them a better chance to in, but he is injured so there's something to be said for durability.
3. BC Lions
Not a lot of fans in the stands, but the team is doing well in 2016. Jonathon Jennings is having an impressive year.
4. Toronto Argonauts
The Argos are better than I would have thought, especially on the road. Not sure what that says about Argo home fans.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Zach Collaros is returning! Hopefully he doesn't have too much rust, but we are assuming he can still dump it off to C.J. Gable for big gains.
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Still not sure the Bombers are for real, but they have turned things around with Edmonton's castoff quarterback.
7. Edmonton Eskimos
What has happened to Edmonton? Mike Reilly isn't injured and were it not for the Riders, they would be in the basement.
8. Montreal Alouettes
Even with Kevin Glenn in the lineup, the Alouettes aren't very good. Their kicker absolutely sucking this year hasn't helped.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Yeah it is going to be a long season for the Riders.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
2016 CFL Week 7 Predictions
I hate Wednesday games. Missed getting this out before the game last night, but here's the rest.
BC at Montreal
At a neutral site, I would pick BC. Then again road teams keep winning in the CFL this year. Glenn looked OK against the Riders last week so Montreal should not be terrible. I'm going to go with Montreal when I really shouldn't.
Alouettes 23 Lions 20
Saskatchewan at Calgary
Despite no doubt many Rider fans in Calgary, this is the gimme game of the week.
Stampeders 35 Roughriders 20
Edmonton at Ottawa
Two teams that seemed great early and maybe not quite so great now. I'll go with wacky road team wins and Ottawa not having Harris.
Eskimos 28 REDBLACKS 24
BC at Montreal
At a neutral site, I would pick BC. Then again road teams keep winning in the CFL this year. Glenn looked OK against the Riders last week so Montreal should not be terrible. I'm going to go with Montreal when I really shouldn't.
Alouettes 23 Lions 20
Saskatchewan at Calgary
Despite no doubt many Rider fans in Calgary, this is the gimme game of the week.
Stampeders 35 Roughriders 20
Edmonton at Ottawa
Two teams that seemed great early and maybe not quite so great now. I'll go with wacky road team wins and Ottawa not having Harris.
Eskimos 28 REDBLACKS 24
2016 Week 6 CFL Power Rankings
I actually wrote these out before yesterday's game, so for posterity here they are.
1. Calgary Stampeders
The Stamps always seem decent and in a year of massive parity that's something.
2. BC Lions
Sure they lost, but it was tight and the Lions are still doing well in 2016.
3. Ottawa REDBLACKS
There's trouble in Bytown. When does Trevor Harris come back?
4. Toronto Argonauts
Looked mediocre in week one, but the double blue seem to have righted the ship even without Ricky Ray
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
They will be better whenever Collaros actually gets back.
6. Edmonton Eskimos
The Eskimos were good. Now I'm not so sure. Seems strange with Mike Reilly being healthy, but there you go.
7. Montreal Alouettes
With Kevin Glenn the Alouettes aren't awful. That's something.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Better without their Willy. Who would have thought?
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Yeah the Riders are bad.
1. Calgary Stampeders
The Stamps always seem decent and in a year of massive parity that's something.
2. BC Lions
Sure they lost, but it was tight and the Lions are still doing well in 2016.
3. Ottawa REDBLACKS
There's trouble in Bytown. When does Trevor Harris come back?
4. Toronto Argonauts
Looked mediocre in week one, but the double blue seem to have righted the ship even without Ricky Ray
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
They will be better whenever Collaros actually gets back.
6. Edmonton Eskimos
The Eskimos were good. Now I'm not so sure. Seems strange with Mike Reilly being healthy, but there you go.
7. Montreal Alouettes
With Kevin Glenn the Alouettes aren't awful. That's something.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Better without their Willy. Who would have thought?
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Yeah the Riders are bad.
Monday, July 25, 2016
2016 Week 6 CFL Predictions
The CFL claims that today's game belongs to week 5, but Tigercatatonia goes by a strict Monday to Sunday definition of a week apart from statutory holidays.
Montreal at Toronto
Not a great matchup, but Toronto is at home and the Alouettes are terrible, especially on offense.
Argonauts 30 Alouettes 17
Winnipeg at Edmonton
Will Edmonton lose two at home in a row at home? Probably not. The Bombers aren't starting Drew Willy this week, but that won't help.
Eskimos 35 Blue Bombers 20
Saskatchewan at Montreal
Real short week for the Alouettes. They are at home. The Riders have been mostly bad this year. Montreal is a bit of mess though. I'll pick the Riders on the road.
Roughriders 22 Alouettes 18
BC at Calgary
The marquee matchup for this week. Calgary being good in 2016 isn't a surprise, the Lions being good most definitely is a surprise. Still though I have to go with home field advantage.
Stampeders 28 Lions 23
Montreal at Toronto
Not a great matchup, but Toronto is at home and the Alouettes are terrible, especially on offense.
Argonauts 30 Alouettes 17
Winnipeg at Edmonton
Will Edmonton lose two at home in a row at home? Probably not. The Bombers aren't starting Drew Willy this week, but that won't help.
Eskimos 35 Blue Bombers 20
Saskatchewan at Montreal
Real short week for the Alouettes. They are at home. The Riders have been mostly bad this year. Montreal is a bit of mess though. I'll pick the Riders on the road.
Roughriders 22 Alouettes 18
BC at Calgary
The marquee matchup for this week. Calgary being good in 2016 isn't a surprise, the Lions being good most definitely is a surprise. Still though I have to go with home field advantage.
Stampeders 28 Lions 23
2016 CFL Power Rankings Week 5
Some changes as even the Riders won and the Ticats made a miracle comeback.
1. Ottawa REDBLACKS
This is a bit tough as Ottawa did lose barely to the Riders on the road and Trevor Harris was injured. Still have a lot of receiver talent.
2. BC Lions
Not a lot of fans, but they have a great record. Good defence and the offense has surprised.
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Monster comeback win on the road against Edmonton with Jeremiah Masoli breaking the CFL record for consecutive passes, as unlikely as that seems. The defence look hapless in the first half, then suddenly came alive. The fact that Masoli is 3 and 2 and he and the team having a 3 and 0 record on the road is frankly bizarre. Collaros is probably back after the bye week.
4. Calgary Stampeders
The Stamps won versus the woeful Blue Bombers on the road (which actually isn't that impressive this year in the CFL). The Stamps have Messam and Mitchell working, which is more than most CFL teams.
5. Edmonton Eskimos
Epic collapse at home. 2 and 2. Edmonton is better than this, but it is still somewhat strange.
6. Toronto Argonauts
They have a quarterback. After the first five teams, that's a lot. Defence isn't bad either and will probably improve as the season goes on.
7. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Win a game against the best team in the league and out of the basement! Did it with Mitchell Gale as quarterback too. Back in the playoff hunt. Sort of.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Well Drew Willy is out as the starter. The Bombers seem pretty hopeless, even with a lot of dollars spent in the off-season.
9. Montreal Alouettes
Rakeem Cato doesn't seem to be the answer. Hopefully Kevin Glenn eye infection ends. Maybe GM Jim Popp should fire himself as head coach.
1. Ottawa REDBLACKS
This is a bit tough as Ottawa did lose barely to the Riders on the road and Trevor Harris was injured. Still have a lot of receiver talent.
2. BC Lions
Not a lot of fans, but they have a great record. Good defence and the offense has surprised.
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Monster comeback win on the road against Edmonton with Jeremiah Masoli breaking the CFL record for consecutive passes, as unlikely as that seems. The defence look hapless in the first half, then suddenly came alive. The fact that Masoli is 3 and 2 and he and the team having a 3 and 0 record on the road is frankly bizarre. Collaros is probably back after the bye week.
4. Calgary Stampeders
The Stamps won versus the woeful Blue Bombers on the road (which actually isn't that impressive this year in the CFL). The Stamps have Messam and Mitchell working, which is more than most CFL teams.
5. Edmonton Eskimos
Epic collapse at home. 2 and 2. Edmonton is better than this, but it is still somewhat strange.
6. Toronto Argonauts
They have a quarterback. After the first five teams, that's a lot. Defence isn't bad either and will probably improve as the season goes on.
7. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Win a game against the best team in the league and out of the basement! Did it with Mitchell Gale as quarterback too. Back in the playoff hunt. Sort of.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Well Drew Willy is out as the starter. The Bombers seem pretty hopeless, even with a lot of dollars spent in the off-season.
9. Montreal Alouettes
Rakeem Cato doesn't seem to be the answer. Hopefully Kevin Glenn eye infection ends. Maybe GM Jim Popp should fire himself as head coach.
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