All Access: CFL Week 10 Power Rankings + News & Notes
All Access Football previews CFL Week 10 action with a look at the latest power rankings and news from around the league.
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[Pic: The Toronto Argonauts and Chad Kelly are geared up for a second half run!]
1. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (5-2) | NEXT UP: vs OTT (0-7)
Saskatchewan was sure to payback Edmonton in the second game of their home-and-home series, squeaking out another close ball game by the score of 28-26. Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris navigated stormy conditions, which included a lighting game delay and backup Tommy Stevens ran for three rushing touchdowns to secure the road win. Stevens has developed into the most effective short-yardage runner in the CFL this season and has become a true weapon in such situations. Saskatchewan returns back home in Week 10 to host Ottawa, whom they defeated 27-22 in Week 5.
2. EDMONTON ELKS (6-2) | NEXT UP: at MTL (7-1)
The battle-tested Elks come off an intense back-to-back series against the Roughriders and now head into Montreal to take on the East-leading Alouettes in a pivotal matchup featuring two of the top contenders in the CFL. Edmonton was doomed by penalties this past weekend, as they were flagged for 92 total penalty yards, including several costly calls that occurred late in the game to seal their fate. Elks running back Justin Rankin has cooled off after a hot start and has tallied just 76 rushing yards in his past three games. Edmonton handed Montreal their first loss of the season back in Week 3 by a score of 32-29. They look to complete the season sweep for the first time since 2018.
3. MONTREAL ALOUETTES (7-1) | NEXT UP: vs EDM (6-2)
Montreal will test their merits against a much improved Edmonton squad. Last week, Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander exceeded the 400-yard passing mark for the third time this season, completing 22-of-30 passes, for 420 yards during their 34-13 victory over the REDBLACKS. His top target, Tyson Philpot erupted for 184 yards, becoming the first players to reach the 1,000-yard mark this season and the fastest Canadian player ever to achieve the milestone. A win would place Montreal in the driver’s seat for the number one seed in the East Division.
4. CALGARY STAMPEDERS (4-4) | NEXT UP: at TOR (3-4)
Watching the Stampeders on a weekly basis, they would appear to be much better than a .500 team but don’t get it twisted, Calgary is armed and dangerous. Led by top performer Vernon Adams Jr., who has 2,241 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and has yet to thrown an interception, the Stampeders have one of the most potent offenses in the CFL. During their 44-20 victory over Hamilton this past weekend, the defense delivered on their end, as linebackers Kyle Wilson and Derrick Moncrief each contributed with a defensive touchdown. Calgary hosts Toronto in Week 10 in a critical matchup sure to have playoff ramifications.
5. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (4-4) | NEXT UP: BYE WEEK
The Blue Bombers have seemed to lost their home field advantage. The CFL leader in attendance, Winnipeg has now dropped four straight games at home, watching their home sellout streak come to an end at 16 consecutive games in July. Their latest loss came on the heels of 35-19 thrashing by the Lions. With starting quarterback Zach Collaros expected to miss several more weeks due to a neck injury, Dru Brown got the go once again. However, he would leave the game in the fourth quarter and give way to rookie Taylor Elgersma. As the CFL quarterback carousel continues and the team awaits word on the extent of Brown’s lower back injury, the Blue Bombers will have the upcoming week to rest up.
6. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (3-5) | NEXT UP: at BC (2-5)
Hamilton is now onto their fourth quarterback this season. The streaky Tre Ford was benched just before halftime this past weekend against Calgary, committing his trademark costly turnover with a critical fumble in the first half. Newly signed Harrison Frost didn’t fare much better, completing just 9-of-20 passes, for 165 yards, one touchdown and one interception. After an unsuccessful start from backup Jake Dolegala following a shoulder injury to Nathan Rourke, the team turned to Ford in hope of a jolt. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Frost get the starting nod in Week 10.
7. TORONTO ARGONAUTS (3-4) | NEXT UP: vs CGY (4-4)
The Argonauts come off the bye week set to host their first true ‘home’ game of the season after lending BMO Stadium to the World Cup festivities. Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly is expected to play after leaving Week 8 due to a neck injury. In other Argos news, the team acquired two-time Grey Cup champion offensive lineman Chris Kolankowski from Hamilton, in exchange for a 2027 sixth round pick. The 2024 Grey Cup champs will play seven of their final 12 games at home to close out they year as they make a push for a playoff wild card birth.
8. BC LIONS (2-5) | NEXT UP: vs HAM (3-5)
BC rallied behind backups Kaiden Salter and Zander Horvath, filling in for injured starters Nathan Rourke and James Butler, to defeat Winnipeg 35-19 in Week 9. Salter completed 7-of-15 passes, for 96 yards but added an additional 160 rushing yards, while Horvath ran for 191 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions were able to put it all together in the final quarter, exploding for 25 points. They now look to carry that momentum over into their upcoming matchup against a vulnerable Hamilton team. A win would place BC back into the playoff fold.
9. OTTAWA REDBLACKS (0-7) | NEXT UP: at SSK (5-2)
Winless through their first seven games with their next game at the defending champions, it sure feels like the REDBLACKS are already operating with an eye on next year. This past week, the team fired defensive coordinator Will Fields, replacing him with special teams coordinator Jeff Reinebold. In addition, Ottawa released three-time All-CFL wideout Eugene Lewis and defensive back Shakur Brown. During their 34-13 loss to Montreal, head coach Ryan Dinwiddie inserted Bryson Barnes for mop-up duty in place of quarterback Jake Maier, who departed with 311 passing yards. Despite a close battle in their last matchup against Saskatchewan, this game could get ugly early.
