Around the CFL: Blue Bombers, Lions square off for first in West

After one potential game of the year failed to live up to expectations last week, we have another contest that should deliver the goods on Friday.

The B.C. Lions (11-4) host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (11-4) in a game that will likely determine which team finishes first in the CFL West -- and earns the all-important bye to a home field division final.

The winner of this game will need just one victory in its final two games -- or one loss by the B.C.-Winnipeg loser -- to clinch top spot.

The Blue Bombers-Toronto Argonauts Grey Cup rematch lost some excitement last Friday when the Argos, who clinched first in the East midway through September, opted to rest star quarterback Chad Kelly before a sellout crowd in Winnipeg.

There won't be any similar moves this week in Vancouver in a rematch of last year's West final -- won 28-20 by the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg. The Blue Bombers have won the past two West finals at home after going on the road to beat Saskatchewan in 2019 (the 2020 season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic).

"Winnipeg's a great team, man. We're a great team, too," Lions star quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., coming off a 458-yard passing performance in a win against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, said this week. "We've got a lot of dudes over here working hard. ... We want this win at home to win the (season) series. We're doing all we can to work hard throughout the week and just trust the process."

The game features the league's leading quarterback (Adams), running back (Winnipeg's Brady Oliveira) and receiver (Winnipeg's Dalton Schoen).

Not only could this game decide first in the West, it could play a major role in determining the West's nominee for the CFL's most outstanding player.

Two-time reigning MOP Zach Collaros of the Bombers (3,738 passing yards, 67.7 per-cent-completion ratio, 30 touchdowns, 14 interceptions) has very similar stats to Adams (league-leading 4,005 yards, 68.9 per cent, 28 touchdowns, 16 interceptions).

Winnipeg-born Oliveira also could be in the mix.

A bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs are huge prizes. Winnipeg is 7-1 at home this season, while B.C. is 6-1.

The season series is tied at 1-1 with both games having been played in Winnipeg. The Lions won 30-6 in Week 3 before the Blue Bombers crushed a Lions team missing an injured Adams 50-14 in Week 9.

"They seem healthy and rolling right now," Blue Bombers coach Mike O'Shea said of the Lions' offence. "They put up a pile of yards last game. They catch the ball well, they've got a mix of speed and the ability to high point. ... They're a very good group."

The Lions are trying to finish first in the West for the first time since 2012, while the Blue Bombers are aiming to do it for a third year in a row.

Adams has the No. 2 receiver in the league (Keon Hatcher) as well as No. 6 (Alexander Hollins). Winnipeg counters with Schoen and No. 7 Nic Demski.

As big as the game is, both coaches aren't ready to go overboard about the significance. They're well aware another date could await Nov. 11 in the West final.

"We're not going to become the Grey Cup champions or not the Grey Cup champions because of this game. So we've got to keep that in perspective," Lions coach Rick Campbell said.

What We Liked in Week 17

• Montreal Alouettes running back Jeshrun Antwi's onside punt against the Ottawa Redblacks. Brilliant stuff.

• The play of Argos backup QB Cameron Dukes (17 for 24, 231 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions) in a 31-21 loss in Winnipeg. Argos coach Ryan Dinwiddie played this scenario perfectly. If Kelly gets hurt, Dukes looks ready.

• Hamilton Tiger-Cats QB Matthew Shiltz's performance (11 for 19, 225 yards, one interception) in relief of an ineffective Taylor Powell in a win over the Calgary Stampeders. Just the type of effort Shiltz needed in his return from a hip injury.

What We Didn't Like in Week 17

• Zero touchdowns from the Stamps in Hamilton. A 17-year playoff streak is all but over.

• The Roughriders losing their fourth game in a row, falling 33-26 to the Lions. This feels very similar to last year's second-half collapse by Saskatchewan, but the Roughriders should make the playoffs this time because of the problems at the bottom of the league.

Power Rankings

1. Toronto Argonauts (12-2, first last week): Gave the Blue Bombers a scare without Kelly.

2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (11-4, second last week): Return of top returner Janarion Grant (hamstring) should give team a big boost in B.C.

3. B.C. Lions (11-4, third last week): A West final at home would be huge for a franchise making nice strides.

4. Montreal Alouettes (8-7, fourth last week): Much-needed win in Ottawa put Als in driver's seat for second in the East.

5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-8, fifth last week): Need to win in Saskatchewan to maintain realistic hope of catching Montreal.

6. Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-9, sixth last week): Fan base is getting restless. Win over Ticats would give team some breathing room.

7. Edmonton Elks (4-11, seventh last week): Dynamic QB Tre Ford comes off a bye week for a return to his home province against Toronto. Elks would be eliminated from playoff contention with a Saskatchewan win or Edmonton loss.

8. Calgary Stampeders (4-11, ninth last week): A Saskatchewan loss this week would give the Stamps a faint hope to earn the league's last playoff spot.

9. Ottawa Redblacks (4-11, eighth last week): A Saskatchewan win or Ottawa loss this week eliminates the Redblacks.

Week 18 Picks

Edmonton Elks at Toronto Argonauts (-7.5), Friday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Doug Flutie and Rocket Ismail are among the special guests expected for the Argos' 150th anniversary game. PICK: Toronto

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at B.C. Lions (-1.5), Friday, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT: No team has played more big games than Winnipeg in the past few years. PICK: Winnipeg

Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Saskatchewan Roughriders (-3.5), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Shiltz looks to continue his momentum against a Roughriders team that needs some good news. PICK: Saskatchewan

Ottawa Redblacks at Montreal Alouettes (-6.5), Monday, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT: Alouettes should be plenty motivated to complete home-and-home sweep. PICK: Montreal

2023 Picks Record: 35-32

Odds from FanDuel as of Thursday.

College Corner

It looks like Ottawa native Christian Veilleux is the new starting quarterback at Pitt. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported this week that the Penn State transfer will replace Phil Jurkovec when Pitt (1-4) returns to action on Oct. 14 versus ACC-leading Louisville (5-0)

Meanwhile, fellow Canadian quarterback Kurtis Rourke returns to action after a bye week on Saturday when Ohio (4-1) hosts Kent State (1-4). Ohio's only loss came in its season opener against San Diego State when the native of Oakville, Ont., exited with an injury in the first half.