CFL Week 8 Power Rankings, Grey Cup Odds: Sensational Saskatchewan

As summer rolls along, so does the CFL regular season. It’s amazing to think that it’s already been going on for nearly two months. By the time the Week 8 Sunday night match concludes, everyone will have played seven contests. With so much data at our disposal, the Power Rankings carry more heft. And so, without further ado, let’s get right down to it.

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CFL Week 8 Power Rankings

1. Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-1, ATS: 5-1)

That’s right, the Saskatchewan Roughriders preserve their top spot in the Power Rankings. Consider the benefits of this being a bi-weekly exercise (the Riders actually lost in Week 6). Week 7’s win over the Blue Bombers was massive and a show of strength from a group that is coming together in 2024. The off-season acquisition of RB A.J. Ouellette is paying dividends and DB Rolan Milligan Jr. is having a great season with 38 tackles and four INTs.

2. Calgary Stampeders (3-3, ATS: 5-1)

Speaking of important wins, how about the gutsy performance by the Calgary Stampeders to defeat the Lions 25-24 on Sunday? Not only did it halt a two-match slide, it improved the Stamps to 5-1 against the spread this season. Only they and number one ranked Saskatchewan have already covered five times. Don’t look now but QB Jake Maier is throwing touchdown passes all of a sudden (11 in total) with Tommy Stevens as a preferred target (four scores).

3. BC Lions (5-2, ATS: 4-3)

And here are those BC Lions. There is no doubt that winning in Week 7 would have ranked them second and not third. It doesn’t change the fact they have been decent ATS at 4-3. QB Vernon Adams Jr. is having an MVP-calibre season (2,395 yards, 14 TDs). Two WRs are directly benefiting: Justin McInnis and Alexander Hollins, who rank first and second in the CFL in yards caught (780 and 663, respectively).

4. Montreal Alouettes (5-1: ATS 3-3)

If the Riders benefit from the rankings being published every other week, the Montreal Alouettes are the victims. They were undefeated straight-up and above .500 ATS the last time we wrote this but have since lost and then went on a bye. Caleb Evans took over from an injured Cody Fajardo two weeks ago against the Argonauts and looked overwhelmed. If the club reverts to its “defence first” 2023 style of play, they have LB Tyrice Beverette (38 tackles, third in the CFL) and DL Mustafa Johnson (four sacks, tied for first) to rely on.

5. Ottawa Redblacks (4-2, ATS: 4-2)

If the Ottawa Redblacks are 4-2 ATS and the Alouettes 3-3, why is the latter ranked higher? Because as nice as Ottawa has been so far, they just swept the winless Elks in back-to-back weeks. It would be nice to see similar efforts against franchises that haven’t been dwelling in the CFL basement these past few years. Even so, DB Deandre Lamont is having a good year (38 tackles) as is DB Adarius Picket (35 tackles)

6. Toronto Argonauts (3-3, ATS: 2-4)

Whatever one thinks of QB Chad Kelly (and it probably isn’t anything nice), the Argonauts could probably use him by now. They aren’t bad with Cameron Dukes under centre but they aren’t especially good either. Losing to the Tiger-Cats in Week 7 – Hamilton’s first win of the season – almost felt like poetic justice for the organizational roller coaster ride Toronto is currently on. This is not the 2023 Toronto Argonauts. Not even close.

7. Edmonton Elks (0-6, ATS: 3-3)

This is a tough decision. On face value, it makes no sense to put a winless team in seventh place in a nine-team league. The reality is that the Elks have done an admirable job with the spread this season and are losing close games. They aren’t very good, but they aren’t embarrassing themselves either. For what it’s worth, QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson is third in the CFL with 1,703 passing yards.

8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-5, ATS: 1-6)

Speaking of tough calls… A win over the Roughriders in Week 7 would have changed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ ranking significantly, but here we are. Just when it looked as if they had perhaps figured things out, they were outclassed in Regina. QB Zach Collaros has two TDs so far. Two! At least RB Brady Oliveira continues to impress (415 yards, second best). Fun fact: according to CFL.ca, Oliveira has three fumble recoveries. Wait, what?

9. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-5, ATS: 1-5)

This doesn’t feel right. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats just earned their first victory of 2024. What’s more, they did so against the hated Toronto Argonauts. But we need to see a bit more before they can climb the rankings. Playing Toronto is supposed to bring out the best in the Hammer. LB Kyle Wilson is brilliant through six matches with 39 tackles (second best) and whatever problems the Ticats have, Bo Levi Mitchell isn’t one of them: 1,941 yards and 12 TDs.