CFL Week 14 Preview

Article by Duncan Gray

The final third of the season features more Divisional match-ups
BT Sport aren't carrying any of the games live this week, all four will be shown on a delay, see further down the page for details.

In the news this week

 

The big story in the CFL has been yet another season-ending quarterback injury. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Zach Collaros went down on Saturday after his knee gave way while trying to avoid a sack in the game against Edmonton. He was back on the sideline later in the game with ice on his knee and there was optimism that the injury wasn't too bad. However a torn ACL has been diagnosed and he'll be out for the rest of the season. Collaros had eclipsed Bo Levi Mitchell as the star QB in the league this season. He was leading most statistical categories and many tipped him to win the Most Outstanding Player award. Kent Austin, the Ticats head coach and general manager, has expressed his confidence in the current back ups and said he won't be trading for an emergency replacement.

There are now only two teams in the CFL who haven't lost their first choice quarterback to injury for a significant length of time this season. Remarkably perhaps, the QBs still standing are 40 year old Henry Burris at Ottawa and Bo Levi Mitchell at Calgary where there have been huge losses among the offensive line that protects him.

The Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum has been struggling for visitor numbers and closed its doors this week. The fact that it was in the centre of Hamilton, a nice enough city but not a great draw for visitors, probably didn't help. A new building is going to be developed for it, still in Hamilton but  as part of Tim Hortons Field so it will be easier to access for fans. The Tiger-Cats usually sell out the stadium so there are plenty potential visitors about. While the Hall of Fame is closed there are plans for travelling exhibitions of team specific artefacts to visit the various CFL teams and a bigger show to be put on at the Grey Cup.

Play-Off Watch
Montreal's win over Winnipeg last week lifted them to a 5 & 6 record, better than the West Division's third place BC Lions who've won 4. on the strength of the current rankings that would qualify them for a crossover place in the semi-finals.
East: 1 Hamilton, 2 Ottawa, 3 Toronto
West: 1 Calgary, 2 Edmonton, 3 Montreal

 

This week's TV Schedule   BC Lions at Edmonton Eskimos – recorded Sunday morning September 27, 06:00 hrs – BT Sport ESPN Calgary Stampeders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers - recorded Monday morning September 28, 06:00 hrs –  BT Sport ESPN Toronto Argonauts at Ottawa Redblacks - recorded Wednesday morning September 30, 06:00 hrs –  BT Sport ESPN Montreal Alouettes at Saskatchewan Roughriders – recorded Thursday morning October 1, 06:00 hrs – BT Sport ESPN

 

Game of the Week

The competition to win the East Division became closer than ever when Hamilton lost last week. Ottawa Redblacks (7&4) are now just one win behind with a game in hand which they're playing on Saturday night as they host the Toronto Argonauts (6&5). A win for Toronto would see them regain second place from Ottawa and hold the tie-break.
Ottawa have won three games in a row since they lost to Toronto in Week 9 and with their next four all to be played at TD Place they'll be looking to make a run for the Divisional title. The defence is now second only to the Eskimos in the stats tables while the offence is on fire with Henry Burris passing for 477 yards last week to seven different receivers.
In contrast, the Argonauts have lost all three since that week 9 meeting. Their fixtures were against much stronger teams though and they've had the bye week to prepare so let's not write them off. Ricky Ray is still reported to be less than 100% fit so Trevor Harris continues at quarterback, while they're looking to bring in another kicker as Swayze Waters is injured again after being back for only four games. Chasing kicks downfield and making tackles is admirable in a kicker, but perhaps it isn't so wise.

 

 

 

 In the West Division the top two teams face the two who are still chasing play-off places. On Friday the league leading Calgary Stampeders (9&3) are away to Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4&8). Then on Saturday Edmonton Eskimos (8&4) host BC Lions (4&7). Neither the Bombers or the Lions have been showing the form to suggest they'll be able to produce an upset. BC in particular have been reduced to a choice of three rookies at quarterback. Jonathon Jennings will get his first opportunity as starter.

 

The last game of the weekend features Montreal Alouettes (5&6), with Jonathan Crompton restored at quarterback, visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders (1&11). No one believes the Riders when they claim they still have a chance to make the play-offs but it's their the second last home game of the season and the pressure is greater than ever to reward their loyal and enthusiastic fans with a win.

 

Hamilton Tiger-Cats are fortunate that this is their bye week as they plan for the rest of their season without Zach Collaros.