As the CFL postseason gets set to kick-off this weekend, fans across the country are hoping their favourite club will make it to the dance and eventually hoist the Grey Cup at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
Based on objective criteria — and a little subjective criteria as well — here’s how I would rank this year’s nine potential championship matchups and why.
1. Calgary Stampeders vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Everyone loves a worst-to-first story and that’s what the Stampeders are trying to do: go from last-place last year to Grey Cup champions this year. When you add in the drama of Bo Levi Mitchell, Hamilton’s starter and the East Division’s reigning M.O.P., being the only Calgary quarterback ever to win two Grey Cups as a starter, the storylines would write themselves if this was the matchup.
2. B.C. Lions vs. Montreal Alouettes
Down the stretch, these have been the two best teams in the CFL, and they’re both playing their best football when it counts the most. Canadian quarterback and M.O.P. candidate Nathan Rourke facing off against Davis Alexander, who has yet to lose a CFL start, would prove that the future of the CFL is now. These teams played in Winnipeg for the Grey Cup in 2006 and it’d be fitting if they did so again.
3. Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Natural rivals clashing in the playoffs always stirs up heat but meeting in the Grey Cup would take things to a new level — especially given the location of this year’s game. Rider Nation would invade Manitoba for the week, while the Blue Bombers would make history as the first-ever crossover team to reach the big game, doing in front of their hometown fans. This would be the Banjo Bowl on steroids.
4. B.C. Lions vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
While the championship drought in Hamilton stretches back to 1999, the Lions are almost 15 years removed from their last appearance in the Grey Cup, most recently vying for a title in 2011. While B.C. has won three championships since Hamilton won their last, this matchup could be a balm to some long-suffering fans in both markets.
5. Calgary Stampeders vs. Montreal Alouettes
If this matchup materializes, Vernon Adams Jr.’s playoff journey would be considered a personal revenge tour. B.C. chose Rourke over him last year, Saskatchewan once traded him away, and he was benched in favour of Trevor Harris in Montreal. Those are the three teams Adams Jr. would face in this scenario, and he could finally exorcise those demons to win his first championship.
6. Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Montreal Alouettes
The Roughriders had this year’s best record in the West Division, while the Alouettes would surely have done the same in the East Division were it not for a rash of injuries. After Winnipeg played in Saskatchewan’s barn for a Grey Cup three years ago, it’d be fun to watch the Roughriders reverse the favour this season — especially against a team that’s peaking at the right time.
7. Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Tabbies still have their ongoing drought, and Saskatchewan has won the fewest championships of any CFL team. Corey Mace would look across the sideline at Hamilton defensive coordinator Brent Monson, his old boss in Calgary, while having to figure out how to slow down his former teammate in Bo Levi Mitchell. These two teams won their respective divisions and should be favoured to make it to the championship game.
8. B.C. Lions vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Nathan Rourke getting his first of what could be many Grey Cups? I’m here for it, though Winnipeg is the only defence he seems to struggle with consistently. The bottom line, however, is that most CFL fans are sick of seeing the Blue Bombers make it to the Grey Cup every year, which would throw a blanket on the excitement for this matchup.
9. Calgary Stampeders vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The young and rejuvenated Stampeders getting back to the dance against the grizzled veterans holds some appeal, as Winnipeg’s dynasty will be tested against many players making their first trip into the playoffs. With that said, this matchup would suffer from the same problem as the one above: people are sick and tired of Winnipeg in the Grey Cup.
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