Before I go through and judge, praise and shame our first Way Too Early CFL Power Rankings presented by AMSOIL, please allow me to pre-emptively apologize.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.cfl.ca/?p=2692762
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.cfl.ca/?p=2692762
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Well for starters it is click bait.
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At least Cauz described why he thinks the rankings are wrong but he should have put out his personal ranking.
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In a muddled way he did. Matt Cauz is a very muddled media performer. He wants to have it both ways - and tries to drive it thru the middle as if no one is watching.
His biggest joke (Sorry, Bomber Fans) is maintaining the Bombers in the #2 spot. Listen, the Bombers were ravaged by free agency defections, forced retirements and other contractual malfunctions at the junction. (Sorry, Ed)
Losing Kenny J Lawler, Haba, Tyrell Ford, Dobby Dobson, Bighill, Augustine & more will put a crimp into Doctor Loyalty’s plans for 2025. I could put them anywhere from #3 to #5, so lets call it square at #4.
Is that OK Matt?
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Damn you System! Fix your damn system, System!
We already have this post!
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He’s right to take issue with the rankings, but he’s got some big holes in his assessment of each team.
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Totally. The thing is these guys seem to put less or maybe as much thought as any of us do into a short post here, but they’re posting the articles and presumably getting paid!
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Alright I’m in. What’s the plan to take their money?
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Your translator is broken lol. He happens to agree with me most of the way. Cept for the square Peg and im middle of the road for the Leos…
My best guess is our operating costs to get at it would exceed the total income.
So we continue to read the half baked half assed comments!
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Yeah, where do you drop the TiCats a couple of notches if you’re happy with 7, 8 & 9 - to 7b?? If Ottawa is way too low do you bump them up to 5 or 4, since you’re ambivalent on the Als. And where does Toronto go. Obviously the Riders & BB’s he likes @ 1 & 2.
So now you have 2 Western clubs @ 1 & 2 who’s collective record last year vs the Als & Argos was 2-6 & but for a gust of wind probably 1-7. Both the Als & Riders changed little, each improving a bit from last year but the Riders are #1 & the Als an iffy #4 because of a QB room which didn’t change much but for a switch from Cody to MBT??? And the Argos & Bombers lost key players - all stars on both sides. So the 2 time champs don’t get the benefit of the doubt like past seasons??
Here’s a fun fact - the Riders & Als are the only 2 teams that didn’t make a change in HC’s or Co-ordinators. They’re the most stable teams. Put them 1-2 however you like. BUT, as a West guy myself, I’m amused in a bias to a West team being placed over an East team when there’s little difference between them. A couple of years now have shown they have trouble vs the East. How do you, on the one hand, rate 2 teams from the West @ the top when you have THREE West teams at the bottom. It’s pretty evident that the West team’s records are built upon feeding on the bottom feeders in their division. AND, you obviously expect that to continue. 
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The thing is the riders are an upgrade from last year qb1 the same and qb2 an improvement. With the ALS it’s harder to know on Alexander’s little known work, which is so far remarkable. I just think the ALS QB room is less certain and it will take 1/2 to a full season to really know for sure. I liked the Riders and ALS as 1 and 2 myself. Bombers downgraded and didn’t get younger and got worse in FA so I don’t know why they’re at 2.
Here’s what else I know. I’ve been getting the bombers wrong for 2 years. I hope this is the year I’m right.
And to your comments about the west versus east W/L, keep last year as a cherished memory because it’s been a long @ss time since the east looked that good versus the west 
. Riders (2022/23) Stamps (2023/24) and Esks (2022/23/24) had overlapping crappy years. When was the last time that happened!?
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Wild Theory - Bombers were “gifted” #2 spot in pre-season rankings. . . . . . cuz it makes a far juicier story “The Harder They Fall” if the thing collapses in Winnipeg Town.
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Pre-season and “power” rankings and AMSOIL all go here:
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Stop making sense!
The east was weaker for many, many years and it’s clearly left a deeply ingrained bias in some fans. Which is understandable! But the evidence of the last few years suggests that the east is the stronger division.
I think there is a question mark with Davis Alexander, but also, he went 4-0 as a starter in 2024. It’s not like we’re starting a raw unknown person. He’s already won games, he’s got a cannon for an arm, can make all the throws in the pocket or on the run, and it will be his fourth year in Montreal and third in Maas’s system. Maciocia got consensus from the coaches before he made Alexander the starter. He’s got a deep, talented crew of receivers he already knows in Mack, Philpot, Rambo, Spieker, and Snead. He’s got the same O-line minus Gagnon at right guard, and even that was Montreal basically saying goodbye to Gagnon and wanting to upgrade the position, which might go to an American (Ventrelli).
The defence looks even better than last year, which is saying something.
Special teams is intact with Letcher returning kicks.
Not sure how anyone looks at Montreal and says they should be outside the top four, or even the top two, on paper.
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These rankings are good/bad, and don’t matter. It got fans talking and not ignoring. Guys are exciting, not snoring.
Here’s another fun fact. The riders had three road games out east on a short week against teams coming off a bye. That won’t happen this year. They were also very unhealthy last year and if they stay relatively sound this year then they will be better even without the upgrades to the team. On the plus side all the injuries helped them develope their depth for this season which will make them stronger still.
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Always the optimist… good on you.
With respect, every team to deal with road games on short weeks facing rested teams last year. And every team battled injuries.
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In addition to the others how many had to start DTs on the online? A dozen different players there and only two starters made it to the playoffs. Thats a bit extreme.
Yes, every team had to play on short weeks. Road trips against teams coming off a bye? People claim that stuff doesn’t matter but that is BS when there is relative parity. Every edge matters.
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