CFL Predictions

I guess I am one night late in getting these done since the season has already started, but here goes.

EASTERN DIVISION

1. Montreal
There is no reason to suggest the Alouettes won't be as strong as they were last year or the years before that. Anthony Calvillo shows no signs of slowing down and he may have the best overall unit to work with. Avon Cobourne may not get the headlines, but he is just as effective as guys like Jamel Richardson and Ben Cahoon. Scott Flory and Brian Chiu anchor what could be the best offensive line in the CFL. Add to that the Alouettes are the only strong team in a weak division and one has to believe the Eastern final will once again be contested at Stade Olympique.

2. Hamilton
I realize they put in a stinker last night, but this team has to get it better doesn't it?? Quinton Porter looked good last year when he was in there and a young team that gained valuable experience last year should be able to see that experience pay dividends this year. If Hamilton can't be a playoff team this year, one has to wonder what is next for them.

3. Toronto
I just can't see Bart Andrus catching the same lightning in a bottle that Marc Trestman caught last year. Andrus just doesn't have the talent in Toronto that Trestman has in Montreal. Kerry Joseph needs to get back to his 2007 MOP form and a defence that has been totally rebuilt will need some time to get on the same page and work cohesively as one.

4. Winnipeg
I truly believe the Bombers are the worst team in the CFL. There are just too many question marks surrounding this team with Mike Kelly being the biggest one of all. The new coach has done some interesting things and is seemingly more concerned with how to grab a headline by doing something controversial than having his team ready for the season ahead.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Calgary
Yes, they are a cocky bunch, but they can back it up. There is no reason to think Henry Burris and company can't follow up on their Grey Cup championship last year by winning another one in front of their home fans. They have the best team on paper. However as I said last year, if this group of individuals start sniping at one another which could happen, there is a potential for a major, major implosion.

2. Saskatchewan
OK, maybe I have my green coloured glasses on. A lot of people across the country and some inside Saskatchewan are picking the Riders to finish last in the division because of their off-season losses. They lost a lot going into 2008, and lost a lot as the season wore on, but they still found a way to win 12 games. I don't think this team can win 12 games again this season, but I believe Coach Ken Miller has them on the right set of mind. Darian Durant will be just fine as quarterback as he distributes the ball to the many weapons he has.

3. Edmonton
The Eskimos are a much better team under Richie Hall and they possess arguably the best quarterback in the CFL in Ricky Ray. I'm not sold on Edmonton's receivers after Kamau Petersen and they will have no running game if Jesse Lumsden isn't healthy. Mo Lloyd helps that defence, but I think this team has one year of growing that must be done under Hall before it starts to re-assume itself as a CFL heavyweight.

4. BC
Yes, Wally Buono is the best coach in the CFL, but even good coaches can have tough seasons. No Wake, no Clermont, no Logan, no Williams, etc. etc. etc. I don't see the Lions making the West playoffs, but I could see them crossing over.

That's how I see it. Of course, I picked the home teams in last nite's CFL play so if you want to take that into account, it means you will see Winnipeg playing BC on Grey Cup Sunday. OK, I don't see that happening, but I do foresee what we saw last night in Calgary being replayed in November. Many things will happen before that game though so lets see how things transpire over the next few months.