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Predictions for the Upcoming CFL Season

Patrick Witwicki
Sports Editor

I'm almost afraid to do this. Over the past six
months, my predictions have been brutal. For
example, aside from the obvious (picking a
Detroit—Colorado Western Final) in the NHL, |
don’t think | managed to get any of my Eastern
Conference picks right. And of course, aside from
the no-brainer pick of the Lakers repeating, | was
way Off with the Eastern Conference, as my pick
didn’t even make the playoffs. And don’t even talk
about our World Cup predictions. It’s a good thing |
don’t put my money where my mouth is, or you
would find me down on Granville Street, predicting
whether or not | could afford to buy a Big Mac.

But when it comes to the CFL, | believe that pre-
dictions are easier. Granted, with only nine teams
in the league, it’s not as tough to choose who might
not make the playoffs, since only three teams miss
out. And with 2002 being the year of the upset, any-
thing’s possible, but | will do my best. Keeping it
local, we’ll start with the west.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Predicted finish: First place, 15-3.

Last year: Finished 14—4, first in Eastern
Conference. Lost to Calgary in the

Grey Cup.

For the fourth time in the last decade, Winnipeg
has jumped conferences, and for the rest of the
West, this means bad news. Winnipeg was by far
the class of the CFL last season, but was upset in
the Grey Cup by upstart Calgary. The theme to
their season this year is “Unfinished Business,”
where anything but a Grey Cup victory will be con-
sidered a failure. And despite playing in a tougher
conference, they should have no trouble compiling
the best record in the league. Most of their starters
are returning, including MVP quarterback Khari
Jones, who decided to re-sign with the Bombers as
opposed to trying out the NFL. His offense remains
untouched, with the strongest receiving core in the
league (Milt Stegall, Charles Gordon, and compa-
ny) all returning. On defense, they have added free
agent Daved Benefield to an already strong unit.
Despite an unimpressive exhibition season, look
for Winnipeg to run away with the West.

Edmonton Eskimos
Predicted finish: Second place, 11-7.

Last year: Finished 9— 9-1, first place, lost in
Western Final to Calgary.

Edmonton is hosting this year’s Grey Cup, and
they would love to be the Western finalist for the
big game. However, the road to the Cup won’t be
easy. Last year’s Western Conference snail derby
ended with Edmonton in first place, although they
could have just as easily finished in third. The

 

Roughriders fall prey to the Lions

Eskimos. are hoping that returning quarterback
Jason Maas, who will be the undisputed starting
quarterback for the first time in his career, can build
on last year’s success. With the offense basically
untouched, a healthy Terry Vaughn, and a full
season with Ronald Williams at running back,
Edmonton will probably lead the CFL in points.
However, their defense, which was awful at times
last season, is still questionable at best. Still,
Edmonton should have no trouble getting second
place, but if they hope to be the first host team
since BC in 1994 to make it to the Grey Cup, their
defense will have to improve.

Calgary Stampeders

Predicted finish: Third place, 10-8.

Last year: Finished 8—10—1, second place,
won Grey Cup.

For some reason, finishing first place in the
Western Conference means you won't get to the
Grey Cup. Over the past ten seasons, only once
has the Western Final host made it. Calgary
continued that trend last year, barely making the
playoffs, but becoming only the second team in
CFL history with a losing record to win the Grey
Cup (BC did the same thing in 2000). Last year
was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Calgary,
but by the time the post-season began, Marcus
Crandell looked like a seasoned CFL veteran, RB
Kelvin Anderson was unstoppable, and the
defense, anchored by Joe Fleming and Greg Frers,
was at the top of its game. As defending champs,
everyone will be out to get them, and the fear is
that Calgary could suffer a letdown, much like
the Lions experienced for most of last season.
However, with Wally Buono re-signed, and
McLoughlin foregoing retirement for one more
year, look for Calgary to battle Edmonton for that all
important second place finish and a spot in the
all-important Western Division Final.

‘BC Lions

Predicted finish: fourth place, 9-9.
Last year: Finished 8—10, third place,
lost to Calgary in Divisional Final.

Well, what will happen this year with the league’s
most unpredictable team? In 2000, they
were the most surprising team, pulling off

the upset in the Grey Cup. Last year, when every-
one expected them to repeat as the Western
Finalist, they struggled, and barely made the play-
offs, losing to the eventual Grey Cup winner,
Calgary. BC’s defense was awesome last year, and
despite the loss of fan favourite Daved Benefield,
the core unit remains intact. However, the most
unpredictable part of BC’s game rests with their
offense. When Damon Allen is at the top of his
game, he is basically unstoppable, but when he
isn’t, like when he returned from an injury last sea-
son, the team looks lethargic. But with a receiving
core consisting of Alfred Jackson and ex-NLFer
Charles Jordan (if he ever gets back across the
border), and Sean Millington in the backfield, BC
should have no trouble scoring points.

The problem, of course, will be consistency. BC

could very well battle Winnipeg for first place over-
all. Then again, they could miss the playoffs

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