All Access: CFL Week 8 - Showdown In Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Roughriders get set to host the Edmonton Elks in a battle for first place in the West.
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It has been an exhilarating first two months of the CFL season as they enter Week 8. Last week, we witnessed a 70-point barn-burner in Calgary, an overtime thriller in Ottawa, a failed walk-off attempt as time expired in Hamilton and last-second nail-biter in Edmonton. In fact, the combined margin of victory for the four games played in Week 7 totaled just 11 points. This week is sure to deliver even more fireworks!
Check out our CFL Week 8 preview below, featuring updated Power Rankings, along with capsules for all nine teams, Most Outstanding Player (MOP) candidates and a look at how the top quarterbacks stack up. Buckle up and hunker down …
CFL WEEK 8 SCHEDULE
Thur., July 23, 9pm ET | Edmonton (5-1) at [+4] Saskatchewan (4-1) [58.5]
Fri., July 24, 8:30pm ET | Calgary (2-4) at [-1.5] Winnipeg (4-2) [60.5]
Sat., July 25, 7pm ET | Toronto (2-4) at [-3.5] BC (1-4) [57.5]
Sun., July 26, 7pm ET | Hamilton (3-3) at [+10.5] Montreal (5-1) [56.5]
No.1 - SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (4-1)
The CFL received devastating news when it was announced that Jayden Dalke was killed in a car accident on his way back to the team during their bye week. A native of Alberta, Dalke played junior football with the Edmonton Wildcats before three seasons with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, where he was named a U Sports all-Canadian. The Roughriders team captain was 30 years old.
Coming off their second bye week of the season, Saskatchewan has placed an emphasis on cutting down turnovers. With a tone-setting home-and-home series on tap against the first place Elks, the team know they must play mistake-free football. The Roughriders also used the week off to gain some additional rest for a few injured players who are on the mend.
While many CFL quarterbacks have already fallen victim to injury, 40-year old Roughriders signal-caller Trevor Harris seems to be drinking from the fountain of youth. He is currently on pace for a single-season high in passing yards (he threw for 5,116 yards in 2018). Despite not becoming a full-time starting until the age of 29, Harris sits 12th all-time in CFL passing yards (39,326) and 14th all-time in touchdown passes (216).
The Roughriders have one of the top defensive units in the league. Saskatchewan linebacker Josh Woods has played a key role, with two big interceptions, including one touchdown. More reinforcements appear to be on the way. The team announced they have agreed to terms with All-UFL defensive end Derrick Roberson (DC Defenders), who previously spent three seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
No.2 - MONTREAL ALOUETTES (5-1)
No one is hotter than Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander right now. During their 37-30 victory over Calgary, the 27-year old signal-caller threw for 402 passing yards, marking the sixth consecutive game that he has thrown for at least 300 passing yards, along with three touchdowns. More impressive, Alexander is the new all-time CFL record-holder for throwing the most consecutive passes without an interception (336), breaking the previous mark held by Darian Durant (324).
The current CFL passing leader with 2,181 yards, Alexander has found top target Tyson Philpot early and often. In fact, no CFL player has ever recorded more receiving yards through the first five games than Philpot (807), who is on a record-setting pace of 2,421 receiving yards. Both Alexander and Philpot figure to be in the mix for CFL Most Outstanding Player (MOP) Award, more on that below.
While the passing attack has remained lethal, the offense has received big contributions from bruising runner Travis Theis recently. The human battering ram rumbled for a season-high 123 yards last week, adding five catches for 49 receiving yards out of the backfield.
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson seems to be back to full strength and has been a force on the interior, registering three sacks thus far this year. Montreal improved to 7-0-1 in their last eight meetings with their win against Calgary. They are scheduled to host Hamilton in Week 8, before headed to Ottawa in Week 9.
No.3 - EDMONTON ELKS (5-1)
Break up the Elks Lodge, home to a first place Edmonton team after fending off Hamilton 19-17 in Week 7. A big reason for the franchise turnaround this season has been a vastly improved defense, which recorded four interceptions and four sacks against backup Tiger-Cats quarterback Chase Brice. The Elks have now created 20 turnovers through the first five games of the year.
Edmonton running back Justin Rankin was held in check for much of the game, tallying just nine rushing yards on seven attempts but added six receptions for 46 yards. Despite his lowest yardage output of the season (it was the first game this year where he failed to register triple-digit yardage), Rankin is still on pace (2,595) to break the CFL single-season total scrimmage yards record of 2,414, set by Mike Pringle (1998).
The Elks were forced to rely upon quarterback Zach Collaros for the second straight week, as he picked apart the Ti-Cats defense, completing 27-of-37 passes, for 282 yards and one touchdown. Each week, it seems a different Edmonton target steps up. Former UTEP standout Joshua Cephus led all Elks receivers in Week 7 with 97 yards on five catches. First-year wideout TJ Luther has played an integral role of late, while Austin Mack starred early in the year.
In Week 8, Edmonton is set to travel to Saskatchewan for the rights to sit alone atop the West Division. A win by Edmonton would seem to make them a legitimate Grey Cup contender. Their last championship came in 2015.
No.4 - WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (4-2)
Winnipeg quarterback Dru Brown, making his first start of the CFL season since being dealt by Ottawa, torched his former team for 317 yards, erasing a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the REDBLACKS 36-34. The comeback kid, Brown is now slated to start for the foreseeable future, as starter Zach Collaros (neck) has been placed on the six-game injured list.
The Blue Bombers received contributions from several wideouts, as Brown was spraying the ball around the parking lot. The trio of Tim White (97 yards), Nic Demski (90 yards, one touchdown) and Ontaria Wilson (64 yards, one score) were too much for the REDBLACKS secondary to handle. A late game sack by Willie Jefferson, who lined up on the interior and ran a stunt with Winnipeg defensive end Jake Ceresna, helped to swing the momentum of the game late.
Veteran Winnipeg kicker Sergio Castillo provides a steady presence, as he connected on on all six field goals in Week 7, including a long of 53-yards. The Blue Bombers have performed well on special teams overall. In fact, former Ashland standout Michael Ayers has especially excelled on kickoff coverage as a gunner, making seven special teams tackles this season.
The team will hit the road in Week 8, as they attempt to secure the season series against the Stampeders. Winnipeg defeated Calgary 30-28 during the season-opener. A victory would keep the Blue Bombers atop the CFL Wildcard standings.
No.5 - CALGARY STAMPEDERS (2-4)
Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. has played as well as anyone in the league, unfortunately, his performance hasn’t translated to the win column. Adams Jr. was back up to his usual tricks against Montreal last week, throwing for 271 yards and threw touchdowns. It was his fourth consecutive game with at least three touchdown passes.
The biggest improvement for Adams Jr. this season has been his cutdown in turnovers. After tossing 14 interceptions a year ago, he has yet to throw a pick in 182 pass attempts this season and leads the league with 17 touchdown passes. In fact, he has at least one touchdown pass in all six games and is currently on pace to toss 50 touchdowns on the year, which would break the single-season CFL record held by Doug Flutie (48).
The Stampeders have also received a potent performance from running back Dedrick Mills. With 524 rushing yards, he moved past Justin Rankin for the league lead, as he attempts to win his second consecutive rushing crown. Last year, Mills led the CFL with 1,409 rushing yards. His current pace puts him on mark for 1,572 yards in 2026.
Calgary rookie cornerback Zy Alexander has three interceptions through four games played. In addition, the former LSU standout has been a contributor stepping up against the run with 12 tackles. The Stampeders begin a three-game road trip this week starting in Winnipeg for Week 8, followed by Hamilton in Week 9 and Toronto in Week 10.
No.6 - HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (3-3)
Hamilton survived a scare last week, as Toronto kicker Lirim Hajrullahu sailed a 31-yard field goal wide on the final play of the game. In search of a jolt during the absence of starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, the team turned to Tre Ford. The elusive, scrambling playmaker responded with one of his best performances of his career.
Ford dazzled, completing 21-of-27 passes, for 217 yards and one touchdown, adding 109 rushing yards. The Tiger-cats were able to overcome an early interception, which was the biggest hindrance in his development during his time with Edmonton. For his career, Ford is now 10-14 as a starter, completing 388-of-571 passes (68%), for 4,927 passing yards, 30 touchdown passes and 21 interceptions, while adding 1,285 rushing yards.
Should anyone be able to maximize the talents of Ford, it would be Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich, long known as one of the premier quarterback whisperers in the CFL. Expect Ford to start for the foreseeable future, while backup Jake Dolegala returns to his short-yardage specialist role.
After setting a career-high with 13 sacks a year ago, Hamilton defensive end Julian Howsare continues to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Through six games this season, Howsare has racked up six sacks. His next sack will be the 50th of his career. The Tiger-cats seek to sweep the season series against the Alouettes this week after winning their Week 1 matchup.
No.7 - TORONTO ARGONAUTS (2-4)
The Argonauts rallied against the Tiger-Cats but it was too little, too late, as they fell short 27-22. Toronto signal-caller Chad Kelly completed 25-of-35 passes, for 322 yards and one touchdown (one interception). He currently sits second in the CFL in passing yards (2,126) and touchdown passes (15).
Former Emporia State record-setter Tyler Kahmann has been a revelation for Toronto early on thus far. Through six games, the rookie wideout has 24 catches, for 357 yards and five scores. Counting Kahmann, the team has six wide receivers who are projected to exceed 1,000 yards based on their season totals. The group includes Kevin Mital (448 yards), Damonte Coxie (447 yards), Makai Polk (434 yards) and David Ungerer III (353 yards).
The usually reliable Lirim Hajrullahu struggled against Hamilton, missing an extra point in the fourth quarter that would have tied the game and then failing to connect on a 31-yard field goal attempt as time expired. The 36-year old kicker is now 12-of-18 on field goal attempts (66.7%) this season, well below his 85.5% career conversion rate.
Toronto travels to BC for their first matchup of the season. Earlier this week, the club announced that it has agreed to terms with three-time Grey Cup champion Shawn Lemon. The 37-year old defensive end is expected to boost an already dangerous pass-rush arsenal that includes defensive ends Andrew Chatfield and Jonathan Kongbo, plus defensive tackle Ralph Holley.
No.8 - BC LIONS (1-4)
The Lions are the latest CFL team currently working through a quarterback injury. Starter Nathan Rourke endured a left shoulder injury as a result of a Noah Taylor sack against Edmonton on the second play of the game last week. His departure led to backup Chase Brice being inserted and the Elks capitalized on the opportunity.
It was a rough outing for Brice, who was under duress for much of the night and was held to just 226 passing yards, tossing four picks. While the shoulder injury to Rourke isn’t considered serious, he could miss several weeks, according to TSN and a stint on the six-game injured list is a possibility. That would leave Brice in line to make his first career CFL start against Toronto this week.
BC running back James Butler is coming off his lowest yardage output of the season, as he was limited to just four rushing yards on seven carries in Week 7. The Lions could seek to place a heavier workload on the 31-year old veteran, who is also a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield. Fortunately, the BC defense has been stout defending the run, relegating Edmonton running back Justin Rankin to 28 rushing yards on 14 carries during the most recent home-and-home series.
Looking ahead to Week 8, the Lions will visit the Argonauts in a matchup that both teams desperately need to stay alive in the playoff hunt. BC won the previous meeting 27-22 last September (2025).
No.9 - OTTAWA REDBLACKS (0-6)
It has been tough-sledding for the REDBLACKS, who lost another heartbreaker this past weekend to the Blue Bombers. Former Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown torched his former team for a triumphant fourth quarter comeback, less than one month after shipping him back out west.
Ottawa head coach Ryan Dinwiddie has been transparent about the decision to deal off Brown, who voiced his displeasure after Jake Maier was named the starter. Maeir arguably played his best game of the year, passing for 344 yards and rushing for an additional 65 yards but has yet to guide his team to victory.
Dubbed as the biggest free agent bust through one-third of the schedule, running back Greg Bell had his most productive performance in Week 7, gaining 65 yards on 14 carries. Ottawa will need him to step it up the remainder of the way if they are to turn around their season. The REDBLACKS enter Week 8 on the bye with ‘a lot of self-reflecting to do,’ according to Dinwiddie.
Ottawa will host Montreal on Friday, July 31st in Week 9. The Alouettes won the first contest between the two team 37-35 in Week 4, extending their win-streak to 12 games over the REDBLACKS. The only team in CFL history to make the playoffs after an 0-6 start are the 1969 BC Lions, who earned a postseason birth with a 5-11 overall record.
CFL MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER CANDIDATES
All Access Football ranks the top candidates for CFL Most Outstanding Player (MOP) Award through the first seven weeks of the regular season.
RANK | PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM
Davis Alexander, QB, Montreal
Justin Rankin, RB, Edmonton
Tyson Philpot, WR, Montreal
Vernon Adams Jr., QB, Calgary
Trevor Harris, QB, Saskatchewan
CFL QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
All Access Football lists the top 20 CFL quarterbacks based on the first seven weeks of league play. This season could produce historic results based on early results.
RANK | PLAYER | TEAM
Bo Levi Mitchell, Hamilton (INJ)
Davis Alexander, Montreal
Chad Kelly, Toronto
Nathan Rourke, BC (INJ)
Vernon Adams Jr., Calgary
Trevor Harris, Saskacthewan
Cody Fajardo, Edmonton
Zach Collaros, Winnipeg (INJ)
Dru Brown, Winnipeg
Nick Arbuckle, Toronto
Jake Maeir, Ottawa
McLeod Bethel Thompson, Ottawa
Tre Ford, Hamilton
Tommy Stevens, Saskatchewan
Bryce Perkins, Winnipeg
Jake Dolegala, Hamilton
Taylor Elgersma, Winnipeg
Dustin Crum, Montreal
Chase Brice, BC
Taylor Powell, Edmonton